Johnny Monaco (Enuff Z Nuff) 2004 Interview

Looking back at this interview

We had worked out an deal where we were carrying autographed editions of the Enuff Z Nuff imported CD “Favorites”. Some were signed by Chip and some were signed by Chip and Donnie Vie. In the subsequent ebb and flow of rock n roll, Johnny Monaco went from guitarist to guitarist/vocalist once Donnie left the band. We saw Johnny perform with band with and without Donnie. We were impressed with the way Johnny performed. Enuff Z Nuff is a very melodic band where melody is extremely important. Monaco was up to the task. He’s also one heck of a guitar player! He is a very diverse musician who can play a lot of styles. We wanted to take some time to find out more about hime back in 2004.

Johnny Monaco (Feb 2004)

What are your thoughts on the new Enuff Z Nuff collection “Favorites”?

Eh.. I give it a 6. They’re all good songs I guess but I would have picked a few others.

You’ve been handling the lead vocals during Donnie’s
time away from the band. How do you adapt your vocal delivery to stay true to the Enuff Z Nuff sound?

I just try to get it close and sing the melodies right & hopefully with some conviction too.

There’s been various rumors, comments and stories circulating pertaining to Donnie’s relationship with
the band. What are the probabilities that you guys will all work together again at some point?

I have no idea. That’s pretty much between Chip & Donnie. It ain’t my band I’m just singing now cause Chip asked me too & it sounds pretty punchy as a 3-piece. We’ve been playing a lot of shows and they’ve been great so I think it’s been sorta worth it so far.

Besides handling the lead vocal duties, how has your role in Enuff Z Nuff changed over the years?

Nothing has really changed. You’d think after 8 years I’d be more involved, go figure. They welcomed me with open arms last year when I played the Radcliffe mixer at Harvard. I do NOT share in the CD sales, royalties, advances or anything. I get paid for my time I’m on the stage playing and that’s it. The only real changes are I have a little bit more say so in the song selections we do live & the performance is gonna be consistently good. I make Chip do 25 push-ups before we go on stage…. j/k, he can’t do 25.

You have several projects outside of Enuff Z Nuff. Tell us about some of the other things you have brewing.

I have 3 other things going on right now. “Johnny Monaco” is the more alt/pop rock band. It’s more like new radio rock with an edge. Songs you can sing along with & hopefully remember, fairly straight ahead arrangements, etc..There’s a lot of melody in the vocals (as opposed to the popular mono toned singers I hear a lot of lately) with heavy drums and thick guitar tones. It’s not too melodic where it’s sounding dated but just enough to have those pop melodies and chords dictate the style of the music but in a more current sounding package. (At least I hope it does) I think there are a bunch of potential hit songs on this CD and I also think it’s a perfect time for these type tunes to be out. I’m finishing a new CD right now and I’m gonna shop it, play shows & see what happens.
The other band is a little heavier called “Low-tek”. That has a lot of loops in it and is a little on the techno/rock side. It’s a little different genre and sometimes I have a hard time choosing a direction to go in between the two. I’m sorta fusing both together on the newer songs. The tunes are still rock but with elements of electronic, loops & synth tones. I also have a Beatles, Costello, Bowie, etc. cover band called “Sadie”. That’s more for fun & playing the more obscure tunes from that era. Which are tremendous by the way.. We play parties and some clubs with that band too. I’ve also been doing some TV commercials & radio spots for “Coors Light” & various others with a real good production team here in Chicago.

We’re going to throw out the obligatory “Gear Head” question. What gear are you currently using?

I got to be honest with, you I don’t really own an amp right now. I’ve tried lots of different amps over the years and I can’t really find anything that has the perfect tone. Actually I just played a GREAT sounding amp at the Las Vegas show called a . Dan Lang, the builder, personally brought it to a show for me to check out and it killed. It’s a new up & coming amp line and I think it’s a great sounding head. I have a few Ibanez guitars & a few Fenders. Other then that I have a pretty big pedal collection but I mainly use the Boss stuff on the road cause it fits in that carrying case and the all plug in nice & clean. Most of my real higher end gear is part of my Pro Tools rig that I have at home. Preamps, mics, outboard gear, etc.

With all the ups and downs of being a musician, we’ve all had to have a few “odd jobs” along the way.
What was your worst “struggling musician” job?

I worked in one of those drive-up “Fotomat” booths. Remember those? (In the parking lot of the strip mall) I mean it wasn’t terrible but it ain’t like a very challenging gig either. Those people are lucky they’re walking upright. But the guy who invented those is a millionaire and I’m not so whatever. I got fired. I also cut hair in a kid’s saloon (Kutz-N-Play) for a short while. That was lovely. Now I work for Chip Z’nuff so I guess it was pretty much a lateral move.

A Few Quick Hits:

First concert you ever saw:

Rush.

Most embarrassing album in your collection:

“Thriller”.

The best Chicago club to see a rock n roll show is:

House Of Blues/Double Door.

Who’s your main team: Bears, Bulls, White Sox, Cubs or Blackhawks?

Cubs.

Favorite TV shows when you were growing up:

Brady Bunch/Partridge Family/Zoom.

The best place to eat in Chicago is:

Too many to pick from.

What should we order when we go there:

Pizza, Beef sandwich, Spaghetti, Steak

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome during your career?

Sacrificing everything, relationships, etc.and living day to day to try to be successful with my career choice. And I’m not quite there yet. Actually my girlfriend just broke up with me.

Every musician has their personal favorite “Jam Songs”. Whether it be the last call, open mic
night, or calling a buddy up from the audience. So what are your top 5 all time “Jam Songs” ?

Stranglehold
Rock-N-Roll
Blues in “A”
Come Together
La Villa Strangiato

5 Greatest Guitar Riffs of all time according to Johnny Monaco:

Every Beatles song
Back In Black
Pretty Woman
Crazy Train
Smells Like Team Spirit

You have 5 songs (spanning your entire recording career) to put into the “Johnny Monaco Time Capsule”.
What 5 songs are in the time capsule?

I’m assuming you’re referring to EZN songs. I’m not on any of those (Enuff Z Nuff) CDs so I can’t say I have any kind of recording career with them. I have played a solo here & there but that’s about it. I’ve recorded over 100 tunes on my own and those 5 picks would be..
Breathe
Where:U:Want 2B
My Favorite Things
Your Biggest Fan
Dirty Bird Wings

What’s the greatest life lesson you’ve learned over the years?

Expect the worst.

What was your “Spinal Tap Moment”?

I have at least 5-10 every time out with EZN. The similarities are frightening. I mean like verbatim. These guys are Spinal Tap. Sickening.

You have only 5 albums you can listen to for the rest of your life. What are they? no greatest hits, live albums, or box sets

White Album
Abbey Road
Dark Side Of the Moon
Spilt Milk
When I Was Cruel

Dream Band. You get to put together the “Johnny Monaco Dream Band”. Who is in it?

I have no Idea. I’m still trying to figure that out. However it probably won’t include either of the “Bacon Brothers”.

Johnny, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for our fellow warriors. You are another Warrior keeping the spirit alive. Keep Defending The Faith !!

Thanks for including me. Say hello to Texas for me. The steaks out there are huge & people get to carry guns.. yeee haaaa!!!

ARTIST UPDATE 2019: Since the Interview
Johnny Monaco continued fronting Enuff Z Nuff until Donnie Vie returned to the band in 2008. Monaco returned for a second stint with Enuff Z Nuff from 2013-2016. He was briefly in L.A. Guns for some tour dates in 2018. Monaco has recorded numerous solo records. He hosts a podcast and continues to keep busy with various music projects. For the latest updates on Johnny check out his website johnnymonaco.com