Having a ticket for a show almost four months in advance is pretty crazy. Every day is a chance to lose the thing, even when it's magnetically fixed to your fridge, not far from the desperate grasp of a compulsive, exploratory elfin warrior, such is my son. Everest never got to my ticket, but in the end it turns out I didn't even need it, since Nikki the Seattle Showgal talked to Taka a couple days before and got me and a guest on MONO's backstage list. So I ended up selling my ticket, briefly talking with Taka to thank him, and witnessing one of the most inspiring shows I've ever seen.
I brought Jon with me, who being fresh off a break-up and lonely, was a good candidate to surprise with this show. He was having Thanksgiving with his former lady and a bunch of others, and I have a feeling I inadvertently saved him from that situation. Too bad he missed Maserati, who were simply awesome. My reaction to their records was tepid at best, but they are a formidable live act. Jerry Fuchs, as advertised, is an incredible drumming machine. People talk about this guy, but until you see how relentless he is, you know nothing. The force with which he hits every snare and every other drum is HUGE, never letting up, no matter how many thousands have preceded the one in this moment. Somehow he is as strong at the end as he is at the beginning of the set, maybe stronger. And the band are attractive blokes with surgical skills on the delay. Got my booty shakin'.
This wasn't the type of opening band I was expecting for MONO, but it turned out to be perfect. A little adrenaline preceding emotional catharsis, which is exactly what the Japanese rock group MONO are all about. They are the champions of the quiet/loud/quiet post-rock, a style which has been all but played out. MONO are a different breed however, because when they play, they go into a trance and experience absolute bliss. Sometimes they see the audience, and sometimes not. They are so involved in the music they make that they ignored their monitors catching on fire at the Montreal show during their first song. Apparently they were so loud, equipment started smoking. They finished "Ashes In The Snow" regardless.
I had the distinct pleasure of standing right next to Taka as he played. At the Biltmore the sides of the stage have a cage along them, but you can look through and have a very intimate experience. This man and his band are so passionate about music, it turns into a religious experience. Hair in the face, facial expressions become moot, like MONO are black clad dolls programmed to slay the soul. I hadn't ever been a huge fan of this band, but there is no doubt why they are so revered. They are good and they are loud.
"Yearning" was a personal highlight, as I love You Are There as a whole album. The guitar duet is so delicate at the beginning, it's like sad children playing on the rim of my eyelids, throwing balls of freedom into my tear ducts. The explosion they launch into near the climax always catches me by surprise and I thought my spinal cord snapped in half when they got me again at the show. SO LOUD. Earplugs saved my life (and Jon's I reckon). Wow are they loud. Never get caught in front of MONO without them; You will be sorry.
I was delighted to hear all the Hymn To The Immortal Wind material (sans orchestra) because I really hadn't appreciated it yet. The songs are so strong and vivid, especially when Taka decides to get up and attack his guitar (like, karate chop it) because he felt like it. And then later he's on the ground, reaching like a goner in the desert for his flange knob, geeking out in some holy way as he's splayed out for a couple minutes. It would always take me by surprise when Taka or Yoda would stand up suddenly to really let their guitars have it. I am not sure Taka even has a guitar strap, so he balanced it on his pelvis as he gyrated.
This performance was so emotional and inspiring, it was like going to church (but for people who actually seek the divine, not some bland going-through-the-motions drudgery). I had no idea it was going to be holy. Wow. If you expect holy, could be disappointed. If you live holy, you live like MONO do on stage, because if there is one thing I will take from this it's that doing something half-assed isn't worth doing it at all. Do what you love, or even better, love what you do, whatever it is. If you give it all, you are going to be rewarded spiritually or in some other way. Don't waste your time faking it for the Man or killing yourself with monotony. GO LIVE, and live powerfully. MONO might do a lot of build-build-climax-refrain in their songs, but imagine having cathartic movie moments 8 or 9 times in one night! That's what they do every day on tour!
There's an interview with Taka that Nikki did the following night (even mentions my name a couple times. FUN!) Watch the interview and some of their songs here.
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