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The Monolators

About Me


Check out our NEW music video!

But don’t miss our last music video, too!

The once husband and wife duo of Eli (vocals/guitar) and Mary Chartkoff (drums) are now a four piece with the addition of Andrew Bollas (8 Bit) on bass and Tom Bogdon on guitar. After last year’s full length offering, Our Tear’s Have Wings, the group returns with 4 new songs that will be released on September 25 via digital download and 10" vinyl. Clocking in at less than 14 minutes, You Look Good On the Train is The Monolators’ most mature and rowdy as ever effort, that continues to liken the quartet with Jonathan Richman’s The Modern Lovers. Combining early punk rooted in 50’s rock (see title track opener) with child-like narratives (see "Eagle Fighting Zebra"), the band maintains their own identity with Eli’s unique yelp that’s closest comparison is that of The Thermals’ Hutch Harris.

The Monolators are also very proud that their music has been played on every major indie radio station in Los Angeles: tracks from their demos and album received airplay on KCRWs Weekend Becomes Eclectic, Indie 103.1’s Check 1-2-3, KXLUs legendary Demolisten and KPFKs Nixon Tapes.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/4/2004
Band Website: themonolators.com
Band Members: Eli Chartkoff: Vocals,Guitar
Ashley Jex: Bass
Tom Bogdon : Lead Guitar
Mary Chartkoff : Drums
Influences: Buddy Holly. Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers. Uncle Dave Macon. Pulp. Talkng Heads. David Bowie. Roxy Music. ABBA. Luv'. Amanda Lear. Emm't Swank. Janelle Monáe. Madge.
Sounds Like: Our friend Jack said that we sound like Buddy Holly might if he were really, really drunk. Yea verily.
Record Label: Monolator Music/Ninja Star
Type of Label: None

My Blog

LA Weekly and top 25 for Buzz Bands

Wow, wow, wow! The Monolators are havig a good week. First, the totally awesome Falling James, wrote some EXTREMELY kind words about The Monolators for the LA Weekly. http://www.laweekly.com/music/mu...
Posted by The Monolators on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:58:00 PST

New interview on Indie Schmarm

The extremely kind folks at Indie Schmarm have posted a new mini-interview with us conducted via the miracle of myspace.  Please take a look:http://www.indieschmarm.com/2007/11/13/get-to-know-the. ..
Posted by The Monolators on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:36:00 PST

LA Times review

We are very excited and extremely grateful for this nice write-up by Kevin Bronson at the LA Times for Buzz Bands. http://www.calendarlive.com/music/cl-wk-bands20sep20,0,68614 59.story?coll=cl-music-fe...
Posted by The Monolators on Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:11:00 PST

Radio Free Silver Lake Interview

Joe from Radio Free Silver Lake has done a really nice interview with us. Eli talks about ants, favorite local bands and Mary's hair. Please take a look. http://radiofreesilverlake.blogspot.com/2007/0...
Posted by The Monolators on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 07:57:00 PST

Rock Insider says see us live

The lovely Jax, from Rock Insider, has written these extremely kind words about The Monolators. We met Jax when we played a show for her at Perhspace. As many nice things as she says about us, we coul...
Posted by The Monolators on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:37:00 PST

LA Weekly Wow!

We got this wonderful write-up by Falling James for our Video Premiere show. Wow! Wow! Wow! http://www.laweekly.com/music/music/rock-picks/16391/?page=3 ...
Posted by The Monolators on Mon, 21 May 2007 03:34:00 PST

Seattle pics

We are back from tour and had a total blast. We weren't quite as good at taking pics this time as last but Matt from the Northwest Music Blog was gracious enough to take these at our Seattle show. Tha...
Posted by The Monolators on Sat, 03 Feb 2007 04:59:00 PST

The Devil Loves "Lamb"

We are very honored that "The Devil Has the Best Tuna" has named "Red Lamb" the best song of 2006. I didn't realize a devil could be so kind. http://besttuna.blogspot.com/2006/12/devils-festive-top-10.. .
Posted by The Monolators on Sat, 03 Feb 2007 04:58:00 PST

You like us, you really like us!

Honestly, we've been a bit slow and a bit shy to post anything that might seem the least bit gloating but we are proud of our record and have a good time at our performances. Some others seem to also ...
Posted by The Monolators on Sat, 03 Feb 2007 04:53:00 PST