Mono, often stylized as MONO, are a Japanese instrumental rock band, formed in 1999 in Tokyo, Kantō, Honshū. The band consists of Takaakira Goto (electric guitar, glockenspiel), Yoda (electric guitar, glockenspiel), Tamaki Kunishi (bass guitar, electric guitar, piano, glockenspiel), and Yasunori Takada (drum kit, glockenspiel, synthesizer).
The band's style of music is influenced by the genres of experimental rock and shoegazing, as well as by both the classical and contemporary classical periods of classical music, and also by noise and minimalism. Mono's sound is characterised by the lead and rhythm guitars of Goto and Yoda respectively, both of whom make extensive use of reverb, distortion and delay effects. The band's live performances are noted for their intensity, both in the playing and in the dynamics.
Mono spent early 2012 recording a new album at Waterfront Studios in Hudson, New York, with recording engineers Henry Hirsch and Fred Weaver, accompanied by the Wordless Music Orchestra. It was their first record in eight years not to be recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago. For My Parents, a double album, will be released on 4 September 2012, through Temporary Residence Limited. The band's press release for For My Parents states "We hope that this album serves as a gift from child to parent. While everything else continues to change, this love remains a constant throughout time.
MONO are excited to announce the first Asia leg of MONO’s “For My Parents” Tour.
http://www.monoishere.com/
https://www.facebook.com/monoofjapan
Photos and review of MONO's last Taiwan visit: http://www.gigguide.tw/article-33