Mono Neon..Brilliant eccentric youtube genius?

[Jackie Clark]

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!

I feel you...He's doing that as we speak with Prince!! He's a great kid...I just wanted to let people know cause his appearance is misleading when they don't know the story behind it.

 

[pacojas]

i love his style!

 

[Jackie Clark]

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.

I understand your point of view(and it's very valid) but,did you ever ask him why he dresses that way? Kinda not cool to make assumptions without asking first...that's the least you can do.

 

[phillybass101]

I understand your point of view(and it's very valid) but,did you ever ask him why he dresses that way? Kinda not cool to make assumptions without asking first...that's the least you can do.

Jackie I understand your point and have since decided to just leave that whole thing alone. I'm a much older guy from a different time and place. I probably should have just kept my big mouth shut. Staying in my lane.

 

[Jackie Clark]

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.

Of course as bassists, our main job is to supply the foundation of the music(unless we're fronting our own bands)...but,you have to try and look past the typical and find the really creative improv Dywane is putting together.You don't necessarily have to like it but,he's a guy doing his own thing and doing it very well...I can assure you some of the things he does on bass won't be found amongst millions of others He has definitely grown as a player and composer over the years and is spearheading a new movement of players that can think outside the box and still function as a sideman...being hired by Prince is an example that he plays regular bass too and can do it on a level that most can't.I've known him since he was 9 yrs old so I get to see a side of his playing that most don't...you'll have to take my word until you actually see something that proves my point.

 

[GregC]

Of course as bassists, our main job is to supply the foundation of the music(unless we're fronting our own bands)...but,you have to try and look past the typical and find the really creative improv Dywane is putting together.You don't necessarily have to like it but,he's a guy doing his own thing and doing it very well...I can assure you some of the things he does on bass won't be found amongst millions of others He has definitely grown as a player and composer over the years and is spearheading a new movement of players that can think outside the box and still function as a sideman...being hired by Prince is an example that he plays regular bass too and can do it on a level that most can't.I've known him since he was 9 yrs old so I get to see a side of his playing that most don't...you'll have to take my word until you actually see something that proves my point.

Hey Jackie, haven't seen you on the Net since your days posting on the LOG a couple years ago. Glad to hear you're helping to guide this young phenom, I really like where he's going. I started a thread just the other day highlighting a collaboration between him and Mr. Talkbox covering a Vulfpeck song, cool stuff! Funky convergence: Vulfpeck+Mr. Talkbox+Mono Neon

 

[Mr_O'B]

Brave man sits between two BEASTS!
Talk about talented!

 

[smeet]

Love love love MonoNeon. Incredible player and so original. His thoughts on art and music are pretty cool. Seems like a smart guy. Yeah, he does some visually odd stuff, so what??? Early rockers grew their hair long, wore dashikis, smoked pot, etc., and it was new back then. Now it's all part of the orthodoxy. He's doing it his way, all the way down to the technique he uses even to get traditional sounds.

 

[Mr_O'B]

Love love love MonoNeon. Incredible player and so original. His thoughts on art and music are pretty cool. Seems like a smart guy. Yeah, he does some visually odd stuff, so what??? Early rockers grew their hair long, wore dashikis, smoked pot, etc., and it was new back then. Now it's all part of the orthodoxy. He's doing it his way, all the way down to the technique he uses even to get traditional sounds.

Great that you appreciate MonoNeon for being himself. He definitely has his sound and techniques that are his signatures!

 

[downtownwillie]

I just got turned on to Mononeon awhile back through some of his gospel vids and he blows me away with his chops, his ability to sit in the pocket and groove. I remember when Jaco hit the scene and not everyone understood him but there is a common thread, they both flat out get it done. Love this kid and if you don't like the way he looks close your eyes and get schooled!

 

[Jackie Clark]

Hey Jackie, haven't seen you on the Net since your days posting on the LOG a couple years ago. Glad to hear you're helping to guide this young phenom, I really like where he's going. I started a thread just the other day highlighting a collaboration between him and Mr. Talkbox covering a Vulfpeck song, cool stuff! Funky convergence: Vulfpeck+Mr. Talkbox+Mono Neon

Hey bro,yeah man it's been a while!! I've been trying to keep busy here in my home studio as well as balance spot dates with artists and my local gigs...I'm currently subbing for a buddy of mine with The Jacksons! FUN GIG!!! It's like when I learned to play bass practicing to their records but,I'm actually onstage with them...crazy!!! Haha! The band is killer and the brothers sound great too!

Dywane(as I call him) is changing the bass game again!!! Completely original and not concerned with what people think,just wants to play and play OFTEN!!! The dude never stops!!! hahahaha! I saw that clip a while back!!! Incredible!!

Great to hear from you bro!!! Peace!

 

[ianuaditis]

There was a profile on MonoNeon in a recent issue of Bass Player Mag - the one with Graham Maby on the cover, it talked about his work with Prince and revealed some of the motivation behind his persona.

The other night I saw some cool clips of him jamming with Eric Gales at NAMM, pretty sweet:



youtube will steer you to many other clips if you follow that link...

 

[DerekW]

Was just reading this thread yesterday about Mono Neon working with Prince.
So sad, hope they got some good stuff down, Prince was a true artist, RIP.

 

[IconBasser]

Love his playing and love his videos.

For the folks hung up on his clothing: remember, he's known for his YouTube channel. He's competing with every human with a broadband connection that knows how to click a mouse. As such, he has to fight to be recognized. There are millions of playthrough videos on youtube; he's banking on human visual instinct being more drawn to bright colors. As soon as you see some dude with a yellow ski mask and a lime green jacket, it takes milliseconds at most for your brain to say "Hey! I'ts Mononeon! I'm gonna pay attention to this dude because I distinctly remember his other stuff"

Personally, I don't see his playing as 'revolutionary', he's not really breaking new ground, but it's damn impressive, tasty as hell, and a total blast to listen to. I particularly like his Jones Big Ass Truck Rental and Storage" cover. The original was amazing as it was, but his track was icing on the cake

Mono, if you're reading this, keep doing what you're doing

 

[Jackie Clark]

Love his playing and love his videos.

For the folks hung up on his clothing: remember, he's known for his YouTube channel. He's competing with every human with a broadband connection that knows how to click a mouse. As such, he has to fight to be recognized. There are millions of playthrough videos on youtube; he's banking on human visual instinct being more drawn to bright colors. As soon as you see some dude with a yellow ski mask and a lime green jacket, it takes milliseconds at most for your brain to say "Hey! I'ts Mononeon! I'm gonna pay attention to this dude because I distinctly remember his other stuff"

Personally, I don't see his playing as 'revolutionary', he's not really breaking new ground, but it's damn impressive, tasty as hell, and a total blast to listen to. I particularly like his Jones Big Ass Truck Rental and Storage" cover. The original was amazing as it was, but his track was icing on the cake

Mono, if you're reading this, keep doing what you're doing

Hey bro,not arguing with you but,you're totally off base as to why he dresses the way he does...has nothing to do with look at me or to compete for attention on the internet.The original concept of his attire comes from Dadaism...if you're not familiar with that practice,look it up and you'll completely understand where he's coming from.Dywane doesn't seek attention at all,he just loves to play and his dress is a form of his expression.If you met him,you would definitely know he's not into it for the attention...Just letting you know.

As for him not being revolutionary,that's debatable but,he's definitely original in his style and concept and techniques...he's a right hander that plays upside down left handed.Not too many of those out there..Most of the ones that do it were/are close to geniuses(Jimi Hendrix,Sir Paul McCartney,Eric Gales to name a few).

 

[Michael Uhler]

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.

You are entitled to your opinion. Very. Entitled.

 

[AaronVonRock]

He reminds me of Buckethead. But on bass. On YouTube.

 

[bholder]

There was a profile on MonoNeon in a recent issue of Bass Player Mag - the one with Graham Maby on the cover, it talked about his work with Prince and revealed some of the motivation behind his persona.

The other night I saw some cool clips of him jamming with Eric Gales at NAMM, pretty sweet:



youtube will steer you to many other clips if you follow that link...

View attachment 905346

Thanks, I really enjoyed that. Anyone who says he can't groove take note. Boy can play.

He reminds me of Buckethead. But on bass. On YouTube.

Thanks for bumping the thread, I had missed that video, deserves another bump.

 

[tsheldon]

I'm big a fan of Mono Neon. I doubt he cares what anyone thinks but here's hoping he conceives an album project. I'd buy it even if I didn't like it to support him developing his thing further. I think I would like it though.

 

[madjazzbass]

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.

Right on Bro'! I think the Dude's Amazing! I'm floored everytime I watch one of his videos, the kid is great, but you know, no matter who you are, there are ALWAYS gonna be "Haters" Hell, even Michael Jackson had haters, and he was the Greatest