Israeli Gears

And it's working like a charm. As Monotonix make their way across this country for the fourth time, the support from a community that usually prefers its classic rock with a large dose of irony just goes to show how disarming and effective this band is. Its supporters include indie-rock icons like Will "Bonnie Prince Billy" Oldham and producer Kramer. The latter flew to Israel to helm the band's self-titled debut album, and somehow managed to capture Gat's positively monstrous guitar tone. In concert, Gat sounds like a cross between Jimi Hendrix and Godzilla — it's fat as a brontosaurus' ass, yet strangely (almost absurdly) clear in the high end.

So is this how they rock in Israel?

"No, no, no," answers Shalev. "That's not how they rock in Israel at all. We're different from other bands there, because most of them are indie bands or from the shoegazing scene. People are more shy there. People here are more free."

"I don't know how to say it," Shalev continues. "It's more rock 'n' roll here. It's loose. You can do whatever you want. People accept it. People aren't afraid of high volume. They never tell you, 'Man, the guitar is too loud.'"