Monovox

Monovox is a Madison, Wisconsin based rock group, which has been described as a combination of earlier U2 and mid-'70's Bowie and '90's Radiohead. Its music appeals to alternative rock audiences and crosses many age and demographic boundaries.

The members of Monovox, which include Matt Kramer, Anthony Shaw, Cliff Hammer and Matthew Schaeffer, have been together since they were classmates at junior high school in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. They all attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where they rapidly became fixtures in the Madison alternative music scene. After releasing their first CD, "burlap and broadcast" under the name JJWar, the group decided a change of scenery and group identity was in order.

In 1997 the group changed its name to Monovox (which means "one voice") and moved to a warehouse loft in Chicago to re-energize and focus their efforts for their next CD. Living in sleeping bags and eating only as often as their meager funds would allow, the group assembled enough quality songs to record their next CD. The group, with assistance from an engineer for the Smashing Pumpkins, was able to utilize the Pumpkins' state-of-the-art studio facilities in the making of their next CD, the self-titled "monovox." The effort was released as an independent studio EP to regional acclaim.

The effort garnered the attention of Mark McCraw, manager of the BoDeans. McCraw invited the group to perform with the BoDeans and after the performance agreed to make the group only the second act he has managed in 15 years.

The members of Monovox subsequently decided that a return to their Madison roots was both intellectually and monetarily healthy in that it allowed them to further their education at the university while adding needed income from performing at familiar establishments.

Monovox is currently working on its next release, which it expects to complete in early 1999. All of the compositions are comprised of original lyrics and the material is recorded using as many as 128 digital tracks.

Monovox has played with such nationally recognized acts as Candlebox, BoDeans, the Smithereens, Cherry Poppin Daddies, LA Guns, Firehouse, Smashmouth and Silverchair.

In July 1997, the members of Monovox formed Level One Entertainment LLC, a Wisconsin based Limited Liability Company. Donald G. Jones is a capital provider and equity holder in this fledgling creator and performer of digital music. Jones has assisted the group with its adoption of business and tax practices and in accessing professional service providers.

Why rock band investment? It's all about "digital and diapers." All Monovox material is original and digital and Jones has known the members of the band since they were in diapers.

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