Monovox lands $250,000 pact from music Web site

By Gemma Tarlach
of the Journal Sentinel staff

Last Updated: Feb. 28, 2000

"First Time's" a charm for Madison band Monovox, which beat out thousands of  other bands from around the world to land a $250,000 recording contract through  garageband.com.

The pop-rock quartet's single "First Time" was voted No. 1 by fans and music  industry insiders at the site, which is dedicated to breaking new bands.

Three other Wisconsin bands also made it to garageband.com's final round:  Jacobstone, E-Funk and KooK.

"It was one of the moments you'll never forget your whole life," said Monovox  guitarist Matt Schaeffer, recalling how he felt when the band's manager  interrupted practice Sunday to break the news. "It legitimized me (after) all  those years of people watching us starve and work crummy jobs, saying, 'Maybe  this isn't for you.' "

The band's victory is sweeter because it's shared by the same four guys who  started playing in high school six years ago.

"No one in our band has ever changed," said Schaeffer, referring to the original and still intact lineup of himself, vocalist Anthony Shaw, drummer  Matthew Kramer and bassist Cliff Hammer. "Every fight we've fought, we've fought  together."

Monovox's deal is the second $250,000 contract awarded by garageband.com,  co-founded in late 1999 by producer (and Shorewood native) Jerry Harrison.  Arkansas-based band boondogs took home the first contract, awarded in  December.

Garageband.com plans to award $250,000 contracts about every three months.  The next winners will be announced in April; thousands of bands have already  posted new music at the company's Web site (www.garageband.com).

Schaeffer said Monovox hopes to enter the studio this summer. The resulting  album likely will include "First Time," two or three songs from the band's  previous self-released EPs and new material.

Monovox's next Milwaukee gig will be April 14 at Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell  Ave. To keep tabs on the band, check out www.monovox.com.

Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 29,  2000.