The Monolators at the Echo
The Monolators are too endearingly weird to be rigidly summarized as a garage, punk or indie group. Formerly a lo-fi duo with singer-guitarist Eli Chartkoff and singer-drummer Mary Chartkoff, they’ve expanded to a full band with lead guitarist Tom Bogdon and new bassist Ashley Jex. The Monolators punk out at times, such as when Mary describes a strange scene at Mr. T’s Bowl on “Eagle Fighting Zebra,” which rumbles along with her ominous, tom-tom-driven urgency. She reveals a softer side, cooing melodically amid the chiming guitars of “You Look Good on the Train,” the title track of their 2007 CD EP. Meanwhile, Eli writes playful songs like “At the Top of the Stairs” and “My Weaker Self,” which are distinguished by a sense of Jonathan Richman–style whimsy and delivered with a uniquely twisted yowl. He’s breezily wistful on the exuberant pop gem “Strawberry Roan,” from the Monos’ 2006 debut album, Our Tears Have Wings, but he balances that bit of sweetness with shadowy art-rockers like “We Fell Dead.” (Falling James)
The Trashwomen audition for Celebrity Circus.
Eyes on the prize: Mavis Staples
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Also playing Wednesday:
ERIC BURDON, JACK BRUCE, MELANIE, THE TURTLES at the Greek Theatre; JOURNEY, HEART, CHEAP TRICK at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre; ALEKS SYNTEK at House of Blues; NICO VEGA, BANGKOK 5, 8mm at the Key Club; CECI BASTIDA at Tangier; SHEARWATER at Fingerprints, Long Beach, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, JULY 17
The Duke Spirit at the Hammer Museum
“No one wastes time quite like I do,” Liela Moss sings charmingly somber over Toby Butler’s lulling bass in a quiet interlude before the incoming fuzz storm of “Wooden Heart,” from the Duke Spirit’s recent album, Neptune. She’s a mesmerizing time waster, maintaining a cool Mariska Veres/Grace Slick serenity even when she’s banging sinuously against her tambourine, blowing occasional harmonica and stalking around the stage like a natural-born rock star. Guitarists Luke Ford and Daniel Higgins come up with some interesting sonic swells without noodling or resorting to typical solos, while Butler and drummer Olly Betts are strong and non-flashy, keeping everything moving with a compulsively throbbing drive on such midtempo rockers as “The Step and the Walk” and a lighter touch on more spectral pop tunes like “My Sunken Treasure.” There’s something unique and organic about this British band even as there’s something instantly classic and familiar about them. There’s something momentous about them as well — one gets the feeling they’ll be playing much bigger places very soon. 10899 Wilshire Blvd. (Falling James)
Also playing Thursday:
GIRL IN A COMA at Alex’s Bar; RAUL MALO at the Canyon; BODIES OF WATER, HENRY CLAY PEOPLE at the Echo; WATKINS FAMILY HOUR at Largo at the Coronet; BUSHWALLA, ZACH BROOCKE at the Mint; MISS DERRINGER at Safari Sam’s; JASON FALKNER at Spaceland; HARRY & THE POTTERS at the Troubadour.
