Artist description Combining the aggression of post-modern rock with the pop craft of the British Invasion, Low-tek plays hook-filled songs that deal with topics from lost love to alien abduction. Low-tek's music incorporates recorded sequences using a variety of electronic dancebeats such as house and techno blending the traditional guitar-driven pop song with an electronic back beat. Low-tek has taken the musical tools of the past and present and used them to create a sound that is thoroughly modern and original.

Music Style Alternative Rock

Musical Influences Rock/Pop

Similar Artists Elvis Costello, Nirvana..

Artist History Low-tek has built a growing following with high energy performances at Chicago's top clubs including Metro and Double Door. Several of Low-tek's songs, "It's So Right," "Kung-Fu," and "Perverted Love," have been given airplay on Q101's Local Music Showcase. The show's host, dj James Van Osdol, has called Low-tek's music "brilliant." Music Showcase Magazine called Low-tek's Johnny Monaco "a master of the pop hook."

Group Members Johnny Monaco - Lead Vocal, Guitar, Piano * V. - Guitar * P. - Bass * A. - Drums

Instruments Marshall, Boogie, Ampeg, Fender, Roland, Gretsch, Boss, Vox, Electro-Harmonix, MXR, Korg, Akai, Digidesign

Albums The 4-track demos, Useless Just Like You, Where:U:Want 2B, Breathe

Press Reviews Illinois Entertainer - T.R. The three songs on the untitled Low-tek demo might seem sloppy, but they're not. On "Dreams Of The Skin" distorted vocals sound like they are coming from deep inside a locked closet, a feeling of claustrophobia intensified by a drummer who's hitting every conceivable beat. The same industrial precision drives "Abduction", with the addition of a repetitive riff that builds like a quick whirlpool. And guitar sludge is made psychedelic with the infusion of ethereal backing vocals on "Love Machine". Q101 - James Van Osdol: "Low-tek - Brilliant stuff cranked out on a four-track. Give them production money and watch the bidding war begin." Showcase Magazine - Ken Keenan: When Johnny Monaco isn't on the road in his role as lead guitarist/ singer for hard hitting pop rockers Enuff Z'nuff, you can bet he's hard at work by himself, writin' songs and layin' 'em down on the ole 8-track in his Northwest suburban Chicago digs. He's got a slew of material, and has assembled six of his personal faves on this brand new demo. Monaco doesn't necessarily wear his influences (Elvis Costello, Cheap Trick, Off Broadway, Nirvana, Beatles) on his sleeve, but instead allows them to be heard in his music without attempting to camouflage the fact that they exist. That's not to say he lacks for originality. All it means is that he's not ashamed to admit what he likes, and he uses what's comfortable as a basis to build strong songs that, in the end, are unmistakable his own. In short, this is some pretty cool shit. On this tape, Monaco - already a proven axe smith - demonstrates that he's no slouch behind the microphone, either. He utilizes distortion effects in just the right places to the tunes a down 'n' dirty feel, punctuated by catchy, fuzzy, riff-heavy rhythms. A master of the pop hook, Monaco makes music that'll get your feet tappin', but not without making you want to get up and pump your fist, too. As a writer, Monaco is either looking for love or trying to find out what went wrong the last time around. The latter notion is best exemplified on "Save Face", a slammin' John Lennon-ish ballad in which the subject knows he's headed for more trouble if he sticks around, but he just can't let her go. On the other hand, "All I Want" reduces that sentiment to pure submission, and does so as balls-out, stompin' power rock squeezed into a pure pop frame. "I Need To Tell You" is an acoustic, melancholy little ditty that puts the vocals up front with no apologies - and none needed. "Abduction" (the lead track), "It's So Right" and "Kung Fu" (the last cut; a snarling rocker) finish off this six-pack, but that last gulp leaves the listener thirsting for another round. Word on the streets is that Monaco is close to getting a record deal, and once that happens look out 'cuz Low-tek is here. Black Velvet Magazine, UK: Lead-off track "Where:U:Want 2B" sees a frantic dash towards machine gun massacre heaven. The instantly addictive drumbeat and repetitive riffage make a perfect bed for the Monaco's mutilated vocals. It's brother on here would be the programmed "Drugs In The Mix" a curiously warpish taste of power pop meets techno. It's the most brutal of the seven tracks, giving off an agitated air of hostility. "Will You", "You Win Me Over" and "Incubus" the more alternative of the two but with a super sugary chorus. "Useless Just Like You" is musically the most gutteral of the seven with Monaco's vocals sliding into either the old school metal or AOR category. "Mustang Ricky" brings the CD to a close with what sounds like much moaning intertwined with another rapid industrial punk rock attack. If you know Monaco as merely being Enuff Z'Nuff's hired hand, you really don't know what you're missing. Here's a guy who seems able to turn his hand to anything and really come up trumps doing so.

Additional Info Singles: Where:U:Want 2B, Perverted Love, Breathe

Location Chicago, Illinois - USA

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