Monophonics + The Grease Traps

ABOUT MONOPHONICS
“One of the best live soul bands I have ever seen!” – Al Bell (Record producer,
songwriter, executive, and co-owner of legendary Stax Records)
Raised amid the rich musical culture and history of the San Francisco Bay Area,
Monophonics proudly carry the torch through the generations into today’s musical
landscape. Holding on to tradition, but by no means purists of any kind, they play their
own brand of music known as “Psychedelic Soul.”
The 2012 release of Monophonics last album In Your Brain saw the band pulling
influences from such acts as early Funkadelic, Sly and The Family Stone and the The
Temptation's Norman Whitfield produced records. With the new album, Sound of
Sinning (out now on Transistor Sound Records), the band has grown in all areas of
record making and felt a need to explore other important influences. While the group
has come to cherish these inspirations, with Sound of Sinning they started venturing
beyond, to the groups that were inspiring those soul acts to embrace the psychedelic
sound of the 60's and 70's. Bands such as The Zombies, The Beatles, Beach Boys and
Pink Floyd. Even with the experimentation of new musical territory, they display the
sound that people know and love about Monophonics. Touching on Northern soul, doo-
wop, rock and roll, Psych pop, and cinematic music, Monophonics show off their
diversity while remaining true to their roots. Overall it's heartfelt music and old school
vibes, without losing sight of the present. This is music steeped in that timeless feeling
when people could write and produce songs that you could listen to over and over
again. Sound of Sinning was produced by Kelly Finnigan & Ian McDonald and recorded
on an old Tascam eight-track 1/4” tape machine at Transistor Sound Studios in San
Rafael, CA.

Monophonics is Austin Bohlman (Drums), Myles O’Mahony (Bass/Background Vocals),
Ian McDonald (Guitar/Background Vocals), Ryan Scott (Trumpet/Back- ground Vocals/
Percussion) & Kelly Finnigan (Keys/Lead Vocals) along with a rotating 2nd horn usually
filled by Nadav Nirenberg (Trombone) from Ikebe Shakedown and Breakdown Brass.