Monica Sex
Encyclopedia
Monica Sex is an Israel
i rock
band
that is very popular among young fans and the contemporary music scene. Their music is generally characterized by its alternative rock sound and catchy lyrics, which led many of their songs to become radio hits and greatly recognizable in Israeli culture.
One of their most famous CDs is Wounds and Kisses , released in 1995.
Sobol, the leader and main artist of the group, wrote a few songs, and shortly the band began to perform. After three years of gigging Wounds and Kisses, the album was released in 1995 and reached gold album within 5 months. Four singles from the album received massive airplay on the radio.
, and left the band. A while later, the band tried its luck in the United States
and performed as a trio with Roth now on bass guitar. They came back to Israel for one show as an opening act for Sonic Youth
and returned. They recorded a few songs in English, but after a year they couldn't adapt to the lifestyle in the US and decided to break up. Sobol came back, Roth returned to Israel and became popular among several influential bands in the country, playing and recording with them. Drummer Even-Tzur stayed in the States.
After two years Pets , their third album was released. After supporting the album with a series of live shows, the band went again on a hiatus, and between 2004–2010 rarely appeared or performed live, only performing in special event like the Israeli Independence Day "Rock Atzmaut" annual show.
In October 2010, it was announced that the band had finished recording their latest album Melody , and the first single "The Dress from Madrid" was released to the radio.
On December 19, 2010, the second single "Mangina" was released. The full album was released on February 24, 2011, in a special release show at the Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
that is very popular among young fans and the contemporary music scene. Their music is generally characterized by its alternative rock sound and catchy lyrics, which led many of their songs to become radio hits and greatly recognizable in Israeli culture.
One of their most famous CDs is Wounds and Kisses , released in 1995.
Formation and Wounds and Kisses (1993–1995)
The band was formed in 1992 in Tel Aviv, by Yali Sobol as vocalist and guitarist, Peter Roth as guitarist, Yossi Hamami on bass, and Shahar Even Tzur as drummer and vocalist. It was named after a famous female bass player from 80's punk rock band "hot killer".Sobol, the leader and main artist of the group, wrote a few songs, and shortly the band began to perform. After three years of gigging Wounds and Kisses, the album was released in 1995 and reached gold album within 5 months. Four singles from the album received massive airplay on the radio.
US and break-up (1995–1996)
After Wounds and Kisses, Yossi Hamami wanted to play more fusionJazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
, and left the band. A while later, the band tried its luck in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and performed as a trio with Roth now on bass guitar. They came back to Israel for one show as an opening act for Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
and returned. They recorded a few songs in English, but after a year they couldn't adapt to the lifestyle in the US and decided to break up. Sobol came back, Roth returned to Israel and became popular among several influential bands in the country, playing and recording with them. Drummer Even-Tzur stayed in the States.
Reunion, Open Relations, Pets and hiatus (2000–2010)
In 2000 Monica Sex decided to group up again and make their second album Open Relations . With the organist Eldad Guetta playing on the album and later joining the band, they recorded 12 new songs, mostly written by Sobol. Again, many songs became hit singles, and the album got the same immense popularity as the last one did six years earlier.After two years Pets , their third album was released. After supporting the album with a series of live shows, the band went again on a hiatus, and between 2004–2010 rarely appeared or performed live, only performing in special event like the Israeli Independence Day "Rock Atzmaut" annual show.
Melody and renewed activity (2010–present)
In mid 2010, the band members announced that after many years of minimal activity both live and in the studio, which resulted in only a few live shows a year, and jamming in the studio, the band will go into the studio with the intention to write material for a new full-length studio album.In October 2010, it was announced that the band had finished recording their latest album Melody , and the first single "The Dress from Madrid" was released to the radio.
On December 19, 2010, the second single "Mangina" was released. The full album was released on February 24, 2011, in a special release show at the Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
.
Current members
- Yali Sobol – vocals, guitar (1993–1996, 2000&–present)
- Peter Roth – guitar, backing vocals (1993–1995, 2000–present), bass (1995–1996, 2001–2009)
- Shahar Even Tzur – drums, vocals (1993–1996, 2000–present)
- Seffy EfratiSeffy EfratiSeffy Efrati is an Israeli musician known for being the bassist for Israeli rock star Aviv Geffen. Before then, he joined the Israeli-British art rock band Blackfield with Geffen and Porcupine Tree leader Steven Wilson...
– bass (2009–present)
Former members
- Eldad Guetta – keyboards, organ (1993–1995), bass (2000–2001)
- Yossi Hamami – bass, backing vocals (1993–1995)