Mono Neon..Brilliant eccentric youtube genius?

[gimmeagig]

His name is Dwayne Thoms jr. he goes by the name MonoNeon and PolyNeon. He is so far out that it is easy to overlook how serious of a bassist he is . He might be one of the most creative bass players on youtube right now.
I love this guy and I just wanted to get him "talked about" on Talkbass. For me he is to bass what Dali or Picasso (or Warhol) might be to visual art( and he is that too).
here's something for starters that is just a really cool pocket

and here he is just jamming by himself on a tradeshow

and here's something totally far out.

 

[Alex J]

The guy is flat out amazing! Prince obviously agrees, as he's got him working with one of the bands he's producing.

 

[MGR]

I don't know. the john Cage thing wasn't that great. Cage himself was a scam artist, most likely promoted because he was tearing down traditional music (remember this was the 50's and 60's when the CIA was promoting "Modern Art," "The Beats" and "Atonal Music" as something to aspire to).

The jamming at the 2008 namm was good no doubt, but nothing I haven't seen a million other people doing. I'm sure this guy can groove tastefully in a track, but that is not evidenced here.

 

[punchdrunk]

Mono Neon can flat out astonish when he wants. He's more a musicians type of musician than your average bassist. Very next level cat.... And he's still growing.

 

[Mr_O'B]

I highly respect his next level skills, but that style of playing is not my preference!

I'm old school! This is my favorite Mono Neon video.
I was blown away by his ability to grove and creativity in this video.

Brilliant!

 

[gimmeagig]

Yeah, that's a good one.

 

[andruca]

Some months ago I was shown this video, which I find hillarious...

 

[DWBass]

He's been talked about. He's a really good and creative player. Obviously he's got some issues (may be autistic or have some anti-social issues). He has been doing some professional work. Was working with Prince on a project (wearing a pimp hat no less). Weird how he hides brand names on his instruments but will promote the hell out of his own character. That hurts his endorsement opportunities. Honestly, I would give the MonoNeon thing a rest and move on.

 

[gimmeagig]

Some months ago I was shown this video, which I find hillarious...

There was a Zappa song called "The Jazz Discharge Party Hats" on an album The Man From Utopia (I think). Steve Vai was doing the same thing.
Just brilliant.. And so what if MonoNeon has issues, don't we all? And if he is Autistic...good for him that he is able to be so creative in spite of what ever stuff life has thrown at him. He's way too far out for me to listen to him a lot, but I sure recognize and respect his creativity and who knows maybe he is a completely functional human being who just had a really different artistic vision? To me it's almost like he himself is the art.He's probably way beyond thinking about endorsements and traditional ways of looking at his career opportunities.
I just really like this guy like I might like a piece of abstract art.

 

[DWBass]

To each his own. I highly respect his playing skills. Just don't don't dig the look & style. I get the art thing. Some like stylistic paintings and some like abstract.

 

[gimmeagig]

I'm a skier so maybe that's why I think his look is pretty cool

 

[phillybass101]

I dig his playing but I mentioned that his style of dress was whack on FB. Man did I catch it on the to each his own tip. Upon seeing his NAMM Pics I was like Dude we all know you're Mono Neon so why have it all over your clothes. I don't think he smiled in one Pic. He may be a Great and Trained Musician but that will only carry you so far. Something weird about that Dude IMHO. If you take his dress and change the colors to all Black, I'm sorry to say but that Brother would be shot on sight. Think about it. Hoodie, face mask etc. I told him on FB that he was a Good Musician and that he was now grown so he could lose the sock and he unfriended me.

 

[Mr_O'B]

If his career is where he wants it to be then he should not change a thing.

If not, he may have to rethink the Mono Neon thing.

 

[blue4]

A sock? That's strange. Great player though.

 

[Mr_O'B]

Not my normal style of music, but even I know these two videos are amazing!
I also like the tone of his Bass Mods bass.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Well he is a groove player but the "He is so far out that it is easy to overlook how serious of a bassist he is . He might be one of the most creative bass players on youtube right now." maybe, maybe not. Depend what you are looking for in a musician.

 

[Jackie Clark]

He's been talked about. He's a really good and creative player. Obviously he's got some issues (may be autistic or have some anti-social issues). He has been doing some professional work. Was working with Prince on a project (wearing a pimp hat no less). Weird how he hides brand names on his instruments but will promote the hell out of his own character. That hurts his endorsement opportunities. Honestly, I would give the MonoNeon thing a rest and move on.

Wassup bro... it's been a minute! How have you been? This is for those who care to know...Dywane is not some egotistical jerk or kid looking for attention.I started bringing him to NAMM with me when he was 16 to get him exposed to being among hundreds of people.I knew when we 1st met at age 9 he would be the monster player he is today and would need to get used to all the hype,talk,dislike surrounding his playing style,dress,etc...

He is very shy and introverted...his clothes are not a "look at me" type of deal,it's a visual art thing that he follows and you gotta get to know him to understand that.He clearly doesn't need the clothes to get attention,his playing speaks for itself!

He doesn't care about endorsements...anything he plays sounds like him...I bought him a Lakland 55-02 when he was 18-19 and he sounds the same on it as he does a Fodera! Haha!

He can groove with anyone on this planet that he chooses...he just prefers to be his own person and doesn't care what people think.He's one of the most creative players ever and he's also one of the most humble kids you'll ever meet once you get in his circle.

He's truly a genius and they are not always meant to be understood so it's kinda unfair to label him...but it's cool.He's not bothered by any of it...he just wants to play and create... that's it.

 

[DWBass]

Wassup bro... it's been a minute! How have you been? This is for those who care to know...Dywane is not some egotistical jerk or kid looking for attention.I started bringing him to NAMM with me when he was 16 to get him exposed to being among hundreds of people.I knew when we 1st met at age 9 he would be the monster player he is today!

He is very shy and introverted...his clothes are not a "look at me" type of deal,you gotta get to know him to understand that.

He doesn't care about endorsements...anything he plays sounds like him...I bought him a Lakland 55-02 when he was 18-19 and he sounds the same on it as he does a Fodera! Haha!

He can groove with anyone on this planet that he chooses...he just prefers to he his own person and doesn't care what people think.He's one of the most creative players ever and he's also one of the most humble kids you'll ever meet once you get in his circle.

He's truly a genius and they are not always meant to be understood so it's kinda unfair to label him...but it's cool.He's not bothered by any of it...he just wants to play and create... that's it.

Wassup my friend. Still waiting on that cd! Yeah, I get it. He's one hellova player! It's all good.

 

[Jackie Clark]

Wassup my friend. Still waiting on that cd! Yeah, I get it. He's one hellova player! It's all good.

Everything's good brother...I hope didn't come across as defensive,just wanted to clear up some things cause he takes a beating quite a bit...that kid is like a son to me and it bothers me more than it does him. Hahahahahaha!

He's told me quite a few times he wished he had better social skills but,it's just not the case and people quickly misunderstand him.

The cat can play regular,grown man pocket with the best of em bro,trust me!

He's currently holding it down for Prince and Prince even has him playing guitar on stuff now!

As for my CD,it's coming man,it's coming...I'm just glad I didn't rush because it's gonna be pretty decent now that I sorta know what I'm doing! Haha!

Peace,
JC
p.s.-I'm currently an artist with Sire guitars bro...I have 2 of the Marcus Miller V7 basses and they both are phenomenal!!! OMG!! I have a few clips on YouTube of you wanna check it out!

 

[Mr_O'B]

Everything's good brother...I hope didn't come across as defensive,just wanted to clear up some things cause he takes a beating quite a bit...that kid is like a son to me and it bothers me more than it does him. Hahahahahaha!

He's told me quite a few times he wished he had better social skills but,it's just not the case and people quickly misunderstand him.

The cat can play regular,grown man pocket with the best of em bro,trust me!

He's currently holding it down for Prince and Prince even has him playing guitar on stuff now!

As for my CD,it's coming man,it's coming...I'm just glad I didn't rush because it's gonna be pretty decent now that I sorta know what I'm doing! Haha!

Peace,
JC
p.s.-I'm currently an artist with Sire guitars bro...I have 2 of the Marcus Miller V7 basses and they both are phenomenal!!! OMG!! I have a few clips on YouTube of you wanna check it out!

I was really quiet and shy as a teenager, but I worked on becoming more outgoing.
I applaud you for taking MonoNeon under your wing!

I do understand that we're not all the same. Some of us want him to reach his full potential, and to receive all the great things that should come his way.

He's such a great young talent!