Thievery Corp. Stealing my soul.

I've gotten in touch with Rob Garza!!! I was really excited to hear Rob is using the APC40 and needed a case for it. Thievery Corp. is one of those groups that transcends the art of music by mixing so many different genres into one. Genre bending is something that we love at MONO studios. I've been hooked since The Mirror Conspiracy which featured "Air Barracuda" and "Lebanese Blonde" two tracks that blow minds.



In 2008 they unveiled their newest album "Radio Retaliation". What I love about this album is it's universal approach to global sounds. The beats seemed bigger, the audience they sought more thoughtful. Politically stimulated, this 15 track LP features great vocals from Seu Jorge and Femi Kuti.

It Was a Good Day.

"Today I didn't even have to use my A.K.
I got to say it was a good day."



Nike has just released their Paul Rodriguez III SB shoe with the help from Ice Cube. We're having a blast here at MONO headquarters where dope gear and dope marketing are always among the top of our lists. This video had me going back to 93' when it didn't matter what kind of music you listened to because "It Was a Good Day" was universal. Ice Cube owns this town.

Hahn Guitars: MONO builders series

We first stumbled on Chihoe Hahn's instruments through some random google search. At the time we were on the hot trail for finding independent builders (still are). At first glance Hahn guitars are absolutely stunning. The attention to detail is awesome and the fit and finish of his instruments looks so dialed in. Just to give you some insight into the prep and attention all of Chihoe's guitars get:



"Every guitar is made with the highest quality woods, metal and paint. Bodies are generally two-piece -- swamp ash or alder. One piece bodies are sometimes available. Necks are all one-piece maple and are generally semi-quartersawn or quartersawn.

All paint is nitrocellulose lacquer.

Hardware on the 228 is the highest quality available anywhere. Hahn bridges, control plates and neck plates are all stainless steel and electropolished. Hahn knobs are heavy knurl brass, and are chromed as well. Hahn compensated brass saddles intonate perfectly and never leave saddle screws digging into your hand.

Finally, every Hahn Model 228 is built entirely by me. Each edge is sanded, screw is screwed and drop of paint is applied by me. I cut every nut and setup each guitar. Every guitar has a plan before it's built, but each one must be sound and play-tested for days, if not a week or two, before it is considered "finished." Playability and sound are, after all, the ultimate tests of any guitar, boutique or otherwise.

I hope to get a chance to build one for you."

Doyle Bramhall II is just one of the few artists that are sporting these beauties.

Jaydiohead :: Jay-Z x Radiohead :: Max Tannone

Jaydiohead :: Jay-Z x Radiohead :: Max Tannone

Jaydiohead - The Encore



The encore to the critically acclaimed mash-up Jaydiohead, Tannone delivers a freakish mixture of the two juggernaut artists once again.

The #1 80's sitcom theme song!!!

Is.......

1. Growing Pains - Alan Thicke is my freaking hero. Many people didn't know that he sang the theme song to Diff'rent Strokes. Anytime you have a man who has a sitcom and sings on another's theme song, well then you are #1 in my book. The Seavers were like the family you always wanted, and sometimes didn't want. This show taught you a few things about life and how to persevere odds with the help of your family.

Stockholm Syndrome.

Pre-order is up now for the new controversial album titled 'Stockholm Syndrome' by artist Derek Webb. It was set to release in May when a dispute broke out with his current label.

"It seems I've finally found the line beyond which my label can support me, and apparently I've crossed it," Webb writes. "[A]t this point we're not sure when the record will come out and in what form. The majority of the controversy is surrounding one song, which I consider to be among the most important songs on the record …. [B]ecause of various legal/publishing issues we're having to be rather careful with how we do what we're going to do next."

It is now July and you can pre-order the album. The best part is that a digital download will allow you to have access to all songs instead of waiting for the official release in September.

Cont'd...The Top 10 Greatest TV Show Theme Songs!!! 80's Sitcom Edition!!!

We are nearing the top TV Show Theme song of all TIME!!! 80's edition of course. But this is proving harder than I thought, I definitely had to eliminate some really great songs. I am really torn between a few and really it should be a top 25 but alas we must pursue the top 10 and just eliminate. So here we go:

4. Who's The Boss - What happens when you take a widowed ex-baseball player from Brooklyn and put him in Connecticut with an advertising executive as his boss? You get this theme song. A brand new life around the bend.





3. Family Ties - Alex P. Keaton for president. People don't realize how special Michael J. Fox was. Apparently he was filming Back to the Future during his time on Family Ties and would split time from both sets. He would end up getting 3 hours of sleep a night. You must really love your family. Sha La La Laaaaa.





2. Silver Spoons - The Strattons. So privileged living in a bomb ass house and owning a toy factory. This is a kids dream. You also can't knock that your dad is dating a hottie and your best friend just happens to be Alfonso Ribeiro.





On our way to #1!!! Stay tuned!

Cont'd...The Top 10 Greatest TV Show Theme Songs!!! 80's Sitcom Edition!!!

We are well onto our top 80's sitcom theme song. I was looking back at all the great shows that we grew up with and thought to myself, there are no sitcoms these days. They have vanished. That's why it is so important that we remember them in all their greatness. I'm going to have to change the format a little to sitcom theme songs with lyrics. The one's without lyrics will have their own special appearance.

7. Webster - This show always had a place in my heart. I always thought they lived in the sweetest house in the world with trap doors and secret passage ways. It was only second to the Stratton mansion on Silver Spoons.





6. The Hogan Family - This show once was called Valerie, but when a contract dispute mounted the producers decided to kill off the mom and rename the show The Hogan Family. Replacing Valerie as the mother figure, they brought in Sandy Duncan to play Aunt...Sandy.





5. Perfect Strangers - Balki and Cousin Larry starred in this odd couple sitcom which was a spin-off from the very popular Family Matters.

MONOplayer sighting: BOMB SQUAD

Bomb Squad's Hank Shocklee showing some love sporting the new GoPlayDJ shirt at Sonor 2009. Freshness.