MonoNeon

Thomas was raised in a musical family, the son of a bass guitarist.{{cite web|last=Staff |first=Flyer |url=http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/soul-italian-style/Content?oid=1128460 |title=Soul, Italian-Style | Music |publisher=Memphis Flyer |date= |access-date=2011-07-13}} He began playing bass at the age of four years, independent of formal lessons (self-taught).[http://www.genzbenz.com/?fa=artist&id=1165 "Dywane "MonoNeon" Thomas Jr."] genzbenz.com When he was about 11 or 12 years old, he performed with Bar-Kays, playing bass guitar.{{cite web|url=http://www.nichelsonentertainment.com/south_soul_rhythm_section/|title=Creative solutions since 1998 – Artists / Partners|publisher=Nichelson Entertainment|access-date=2011-07-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019225439/http://nichelsonentertainment.com/south_soul_rhythm_section/|archive-date=October 19, 2013|df=mdy-all}}

During his brief stay at Berklee College of Music he shared the stage with David Fiuczynski. After his departure from Berklee in 2010, Thomas went to Los Angeles to perform with Fiuczynski and Alex Bailey (drummer) at the Musicians Institute and The Baked Potato.{{cite web |url=http://www.lajazz.com/blog18.cfm?ID=281745 |title=LA Jazz / About & Out |publisher=Lajazz.com |date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=2011-07-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128082456/http://www.lajazz.com/blog18.cfm?ID=281745 |archive-date=January 28, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mi.edu/news/david-fuze-fiucynski-concert-and-clinic |title=David "Fuze" Fiucynski Concert and Clinic | May 13, 2010 | News & Events at Musicians Institute |publisher=Mi.edu |date=May 13, 2010 |access-date=2011-07-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511205209/http://www.mi.edu/news/david-fuze-fiucynski-concert-and-clinic |archive-date=May 11, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}

While Thomas is right-handed, he plays left-handed on an upside down right-handed bass guitar, which allows him to use heavy string bending on the upper strings. Thomas' slapping style/technique is unique because he is executing everything upside-down, while traditionally using the thumb for slaps and fingers for pops. In a free/improvisational setting, listeners may hear the use of Indian melodic inflections and ornaments in Thomas' playing, including the use of gamakas. Another trademark is his use of randomness and mistakes in performance, taking unintentional ideas made in error, and spontaneously turning them into useable or intentional material.August 4, 2011 (August 4, 2011). [http://www.bassplayersunited.com/2011/08/bpu-exclusive-lessons-polyneons-grooves-with-gamakas/ "BPU Exclusive Lessons- PolyNeon's grooves with gamakas – Bass Players United"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120045354/http://www.bassplayersunited.com/2011/08/bpu-exclusive-lessons-polyneons-grooves-with-gamakas/ |date=January 20, 2012 }}. bassplayersunited.com[https://ebssweden.com/content2/artists/mononeon-2/ "EBS Sweden AB (artists)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051552/https://ebssweden.com/content2/artists/mononeon-2/ |date=April 25, 2012 }} www.ebs.bass.se

MonoNeon’s sense of fashion, featuring vibrant quilted outfits and crochet masks, mirrors his music, which is just as unconventional and expressive.

MonoNeon's overall playing style on bass can be described as "funky with unusual characteristics". His sound is combination of bold use of dissonance and unpredictable phrasing. Marcus Miller, among others, has praised his unique playing style. His musical background is heavily influenced by Southern soul, blues and funk.{{cite web|url=http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2009/10/20/player-spotlight-dywane-thomas-jr/ |title=Player Spotlight: Dywane Thomas Jr |publisher=Notreble.com |date=October 20, 2009 |access-date=2011-07-13}} In a Bass Player magazine interview, Miller mentioned Thomas as one of several "young bad cats" he has met on the scene.{{cite web |url=http://www.bassplayer.com/article/marcus-miller-reaches/apr-08/34811 |title=Marcus Miller Reaches Wider Than Ever With 'Marcus', Chris Jisi |publisher=Bassplayer.com |access-date=2011-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322130412/http://www.bassplayer.com/article/marcus-miller-reaches/apr-08/34811 |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In 2009, Thomas was featured on the GospelChops Bass Sessionz Vol.1 project with Andrew Gouche, Hadrien Feraud, Damian Erskine, Janek Gwizdala, Anthony Nembhard, and Robert "Bubby" Lewis.{{cite web|author=|url=http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2009/10/bass-sessionz-vol-1/ |title=Bass Sessionz Vol. 1 | Bass Musician Magazine [the face of bass] |publisher=Bassmusicianmagazine.com |date=October 1, 2009 |access-date=2011-07-13}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jazzdrummerworld.com/medien-cds-dvds-software-buecher/cd/gospelchops-presents-bass-sessionz-vol-1/ |title=GospelChops Presents: Bass Sessionz Vol. 1 :: Drummermagazin |publisher=jazzdrummerworld.com |date=March 18, 2010 |access-date=2011-07-13}}

In 2010, Thomas played bass on the Libra Scale album by Grammy Award-winning artist Ne-Yo,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/libra-scale-mw0002033205/credits |title=Libra Scale – Ne-Yo |publisher=AllMusic |date=November 22, 2010 |access-date=2011-07-13}} and the album Directions by Forest Won with Georgia Anne Muldrow.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Forest-Won-Directions-by-Forest-Won/release/2410391 |title=Forest Won – Directions by Forest Won (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |date= |access-date=2011-07-13}}{{cite web|author=Ivan Guerrero |url=http://www.malemodelmusicproject.com/2010/09/find-new-directions.html |title=Find new DIRECTIONS |publisher=The Male Model Music Project |date=September 6, 2010 |access-date=2011-07-13}} Thomas was featured in the article, "Bass to the Future", in issue 52 of the UK Bass Guitar magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.bassguitarmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=44:back-issues&id=423:issue-52 |title=Issue 52 |publisher=Bassguitarmagazine.com |date= |access-date=2011-07-13}}

In 2012, Thomas joined David Fiuczynski and Planet Microjam.[http://www.berklee.edu/events/detail/13695/dave-fiuczynski-and-the-planet-microjam-institut#.UEF9wKSXRRw "Dave Fiuczynski and the Planet Microjam Institute Ensemble"]. berklee.eduStephen Graham (July 23, 2012). [http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/news-mainmenu-139/69-2012/12442-jazz-breaking-news-genoa-jazz-fest-goes-interstatic-via-planet-microjam "Jazz breaking news: Genoa Jazz fest Goes Interstatic via Planet Microjam"] jazzwisemagazine.com[http://www.jazzitalia.net/iocero/Gezmataz12.asp#.UVwYg6vwIhx "Gezmataz Festival 2012"] jazzitalia.net Also in 2012, he released his solo avant-garde album, Down-to-Earth Art as MonoNeon.Kevin Johnson (June 17, 2012). [http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/06/17/dywane-mononeon-thomas-jr-releases-down-to-earth-art/ "Dywane “MonoNeon” Thomas Jr. Releases Down-to-Earth Art"] Notreble.com

MonoNeon's YouTube bass cover videos of Sonic The Hedgehog Green Hill Zone Theme and the theme song to the Martin Lawrence Show were featured on NoTreble.Kevin Johnson (October 25, 2012).[http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/10/25/mononeon-sonic-the-hedgehog-green-hill-zone-theme/ "MonoNeon: Sonic the Hedgehog “Green Hill Zone” Theme"] Notreble.comKevin Johnson (March 24, 2013). [http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2013/03/24/mononeon-theme-song-to-the-martin-lawrence-show/ "MonoNeon: Theme Song to the Martin Lawrence Show"] Notreble.com

In early 2013, Thomas released an album called Southern Visionary under the pseudonym MonoNeon. This album features several microtonal musicians.Kevin Johnson (January 9, 2013). [http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2013/01/09/mononeon-releases-southern-visionary/ "MonoNeon Releases “Southern Visionary”] Notreble.comMeredith McLean (March 26, 2013). [http://www.theaureview.com/albums/album-review-mononeon-southern-visionary-lp-2013 "Album Review: MonoNeon – Southern Visionary (2013 LP)"] theaureview.com He also released an album entitled Uncle Curtis Answered The Lobster Telephone.[http://www.hybridaspace.org/hybrida-radio-show-playlist-94-puntata/ "HYBRIDA. radio show – playlist 94° puntata"] hybridaspace.org[http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mononeon16 "Uncle Curtis Answered the Lobster Telephone by Mononeon"] cdbaby.com

MonoNeon performed with 2010 Grammy nominee Sheri Jones-Moffett during the Recording Academy Chapter 40th Anniversary Celebration at Levitt Shell.[http://thefrontlinemusic.com/2013/07/23/gospel-singer-sherri-jones-moffett-at-the-recording-acadmey-40th-anniversary-grammy365-levittshell/ "Gospel Singer Sherri Jones – Moffett at the Recording Academy 40th Anniversary"] thefrontlinemusic.com

MonoNeon teamed up with producer Kriswontwo to release an EP called, WEON.[http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2013/11/15/mononeon-and-kriswontwo-release-weon/ "MonoNeon and Kriswontwo Release “WEON”] notreble.com.[http://kriswontwo.com/crazy-week-3-new-releases/ "Crazy week, 3 new releases"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212013625/http://kriswontwo.com/crazy-week-3-new-releases/ |date=December 12, 2013 }} kriswontwo.com[http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2013/11/bassist-mononeon-latest-ep-weon-with-producer-kriswontwo/ "Bassist MonoNeon Latest EP WEON with Producer Kriswontwo"] bassmusicianmagazine.com[http://djkoolemdee.blogspot.com/2013/07/kriswontwo-x-mononeon-weon.html "Kriswontwo x MonoNeon: WEON"] djkoolemdee.blogspot.com

July 2014, MonoNeon made his debut performance as the bassist for Screaming Headless Torsos at Jalisco Jazz Festival in Mexico.[http://jazztimes.com/articles/134984-review-mexico-s-jalisco-jazz-festival "Review: Mexico’s Jalisco Jazz Festival A July 4th weekend of Latin-infused cosmopolitanism"] jazztimes.com

July 7, 2018, MonoNeon played a show with Joe Russo and Eric Krasno billed as (nO*sO*nO*). While the three musicians have played together on many occasions in various other supergroup formations, this marked the first performance as a dedicated trio under this moniker. For most of the two-set performance, surprise guest keyboardist Peter Levin (Gregg Allman Band) played on several numbers. Relying heavily on improvisation, (nO*sO*nO*) dug deep into the funk, jazz, and psychedelic rock catalogs. Covers of Jimi Hendrix‘s “Manic Depression”, The Beatles‘ “Get Back”, Billy Cobham‘s “Stratus”, and John Scofield‘s “Hottentot”, appeared throughout the free-flowing jams and captivated the audience with their supersonic chemistry.

For the 65th Grammys MonoNeon has been Grammy nominated for his work on Cory Henry's album, "Operation Funk" (Best Progressive R&B Album nomination). MonoNeon is one of the writers, guitarist and bassist on the songs "Ecstasy" and "The Line".[https://bassmagazine.com/artists/mononeon-receives-grammy-nomination-for-his-work-on-cory-henrys-operation-funk/ "MonoNeon Receives Grammy Nomination for His Work on Cory Henry’s 'Operation Funk'"]. bassmagazine.com

Thomas' experimental approach has been compared to the 20th century composer John Cage .{{cite web|url=http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2010/04/20/dywane-thomas-jr-releases-aleatorick-and-indeterminacy/ |title=Dywane Thomas Jr. Releases "Aleatorick and Indeterminacy" |publisher=Notreble.com |date=April 20, 2010 |access-date=2011-07-13}} The idea of conceptual art plays a role in his musical compositions, as reflected in his early 2011 recordings. Thomas began developing an idea of bass accompanying improvisations with an AM/FM radio. The improvisations/compositions are based on radio art, some of which can be heard on his album entitled Introspection of PolyNeon. The "Polyneon" concept is something Thomas created through introspection and when he stopped thinking about the goal of becoming or being a great musician.Stanton Lawrence (July 29, 2011). [http://www.bassplayersunited.com/2011/07/album-review-polyneon-introspection/ "Album Review – Polyneon – Introspection – Bass Players United"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330153203/http://www.bassplayersunited.com/2011/07/album-review-polyneon-introspection/ |date=March 30, 2012 }}. bassplayersunited.comCorey Brown (November 21, 2011). [http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2011/11/21/jeroen-paul-thesseling-interview-playing-as-one-the-best-bass-cover-tunes-top-bass-videos/ "Top Ten: The Jeroen Paul Thesseling Interview, Playing As One, the Best Bass Cover Tunes, Plus the Top Bass Videos"]. Notreble.com

Thomas is notable for his "readymade bass", inspired by his love for Dadaism and other avant garde art movements. The primary characteristics of the "readymade bass" is the ordinary sock covering the entire headstock and the name "Polyneon" on the body of his bass. The use of colorful duct tape and other mundane items upon his basses has become a defining visual style for Thomas.[http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DywaneThomasJr "CD Baby | Artist Details"]. cdbaby.comKevin Johnson (November 18, 2011). [http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2011/11/18/new-school-dywane-mononeon-thomas/ "New School: Dywane “MonoNeon” Thomas"]. Notreble.comKilian Duarte (March 1, 2012). [http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2012/03/interview-with-dywane-mononeon-thomas-jr-by-kilian-duarte/ "Interview with Dywane ‘Mononeon’ Thomas Jr by Kilian Duarte"]. bassmusicianmagazine.com

MonoNeon was featured in the January/February 2013 issue of Dig! Magazine, a Winnipeg jazz magazine.Karl Kohut.[http://www.digmagazine.ca/2013/01/dwayne-mononeon-thomas-jr/ "Dwayne “MonoNeon” Thomas Jr"]. digmagazine.ca

MonoNeon's microtonal works and art manifesto were mentioned on The Rest Is Noise, a website by Alex Ross, a music critic who regularly writes for The New Yorker.[http://www.therestisnoise.com/2013/06/the-higher-crossover.html "A-AW8: The higher crossover"]. therestisnoise.com

One of MonoNeon's bass cover videos performing KNOWER's arrangement/medley of Lady Gaga songs was voted Top 10 most watched video on NoTreble (March 2014).Kevin Johnson (March 9, 2014) [http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2014/04/08/top-10-the-most-watched-bass-videos-march-2014/ "Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (March 2014)"]. notreble.com

A microtonal bass built for MonoNeon by Tim Cloonan of CallowHill Guitars was featured on NoTreble as Bass of the Week. The bass is built to play quarter tones.Kevin Johnson (May 8, 2014) [http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2014/05/08/bass-of-the-week-mononeons-microtonal-bass/ "MonoNeon's Microtonal Bass"]. notreble.com

In 2021 MonoNeon teamed up with Davy Nathan and released "Supermane", a full length album featuring 8 tracks. The track "Done with the B-S", a duet with MonoNeon and Ledisi was featured in Rolling Stone magazine.{{cite web |title=Song You Need to Know: MonoNeon, 'Invisible' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/invisible-mononeon-song-you-need-to-know-1088012/ |website=rollingstone.com|date=10 November 2020 }}

The album was produced, written and recorded in Nathan's studio in Los Angeles. They describe the album as a step outside of the vocal comfort zone of MonoNeon.

In 2015 MonoNeon began playing bass with Prince and his protégé, Judith Hill. Some of the live shows have been at Paisley Park.[http://madonnaunderground.com/prince-serenades-madonna-at-late-night-paisley-park-gig/ "Prince serenades Madonna at late-night Paisley Park gig"]. madonnaunderground.com[http://www.startribune.com/prince-throws-3-hour-concert-party-for-champion-lynx-at-paisley-park/333016441/ "Prince throws 3-hour concert/party for champion Lynx at Paisley Park"]. startribune.com[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsQ5g6Lkjkg "Judith Hill - Back In Time (Behind-The-Scenes at Paisley Park)"]. youtube.com

On 11 January 2016, Tidal released the track Ruff Enuff by MonoNeon, only four and a half days after its initial recording. The instrumental track features Prince as producer and on keyboards. The following day, the track was replaced with a vocal version with lead vocals on vocoder by Adrian Crutchfield.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

The linernotes provided with the track state:

{{Blockquote|text=You may recognize Kirk A Johnson on drums, Mono Neon on bass and Adrian Crutchfield on sax and electric woodwinds as the house band 4 Prince’s Paisley Park After Dark Jam Sessions. Well, that’s not all they do. 4 the past week they’ve been cutting basic trax 4 their as yet untitled debut album. With Prince producing and handling the keyboard & guitar duties, the set promises 2 b picking up right where Judith Hill’s BACK IN TIME left off. These brothas murder the funk! Normally they wouldn’t let a track out until it’s finished, but this one had 2 go! It was ruining everybody’s good loox. If U think U can resist the funk, check out the key change of Mono’s bass solo at near 4 o'clockmark.[http://read.tidal.com/article/purple-pick-of-the-week-ruff-enuff-2 "PURPLE PICK OF THE WEEK: “RUFF ENUFF"]. Tidal.com}}

When Prince wasn't playing his solo piano shows, he was breaking in a new band at Paisley Park with MonoNeon as his new bassist.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/hiding-in-plain-sight--why-i-spent-a-lifetime-chasing-prince/#ifrndnloc "Hiding in plain sight – why I spent a lifetime chasing Prince"]. telegraph.co.uk[http://www.startribune.com/prince-throwing-a-pair-of-pajama-parties-friday-and-saturday-at-paisley-park/341823141/ "Prince throwing a pair of pajama parties Friday and Saturday at Paisley Park"] Startribune.com

• "Polyneon" (2010)
• "Introspection of PolyNeon" (2011)
• "Noise Catharsis" (2011)
• "Johnnie Taylor and John Cage" (2011)
• "The Kitschy EP" (2011)
• "MonoNeon" (2012)
• "Ming Neon" (2012)
• "Down-to-Earth Art" (2012)
• "Southern Visionary" (2013)
• "Uncle Curtis Answered The Lobster Telephone" (2013)
• "John Cage on Soul Train" (2014)[http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2014/08/mononeon-releases-new-duo-project-john-cage-on-soul-train/ "MonoNeon Releases New Duo Project, John Cage on Soul Train"]. bassmusicianmagazine.com
• "MonoNeon Plays Speech" (2015)
• "Selfie Quickie" (2015)
• "Selfie Quickie 2wooo" (2017)[http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/mononeon-releases-2017-ep-selfie-quickie-2wooo-listen/61298 "MonoNeon Releases 2017 EP 'Selfie Quickie 2wooo' (LISTEN)"]. bassplayer.com
• "Welcome 2 Whateva The Fyuck" (2017) [http://liveforlivemusic.com/news/mononeon-welcome-2-whateva-fyuck-420/]. liveforlivemusic.com
• A Place Called Fantasy (2017) [http://www.okayplayer.com/music/mononeon-channels-prince-parliament-funkadelic-place-called-fantasy-premiere.html]. okayplayer.com
• "I Don't Care Today (Angels & Demons in Lo-Fi)" (2018)
• "My Feelings Be Peeling" (2019)
• "Living The Best And Worst Life At The Same Damn Time!" (2019)
• "Toxic Wasteland 2 The Hills" (2020)[https://dywanethomasjr.bandcamp.com/album/toxic-wasteland-2-the-hills]. bandcamp.com
• "Banana Peel on Capitol Hill" (2021)
• "Gospel According to the Little Green Man - EP" (2021)
• "Supermane" (2021){{cite web |title=MonoNeon Releases 'SUPERMANE' Studio Album Feat. Cory Henry, Ledesi, More |url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/mononeon-releases-supermane-studio-album-stream/ |website=Live For Live Music|date=21 March 2021 }}
• "Basquiat & Skittles Album" (2021)
• "Put on Earth for You" (2022)
• "There Goes That Man Again Turning Water Into Gin & Juice" (2022)
• Jelly Belly Dirty Somebody (2023)
• Wonderland's Disaster Queen EP (2023)
• Quilted Stereo (2024)

• "Libra Scale" (2010)

Bass on "Making A Movie"

• "Ms. One" (2014)Kevin Johnson (July 5, 2014) [http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2014/07/05/georgia-anne-muldrow-releases-ms-one-with-mononeon/ "Georgia Anne Muldrow Releases “Ms. One” with MonoNeon"]. notreble.com

• "RUFF ENUFF" single (2016) [http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Ruff_Enuff "Ruff Enuff - Prince Vault"]. princevault.com[http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/mononeon-releases-instrumental-track-ruff-enuff-with-prince-listen/60043 "MonoNeon Releases Instrumental Track "Ruff Enuff" With Prince (LISTEN)"]. bassplayer.com

• "WEON" (2013)
• "Neon the Won" (2015)KARASLAMB [http://www.okayplayer.com/news/weon-mononeon-kriswontwo-neon-the-won-ep-stream.html "WEON (MonoNeon x Kriswontwo) Present ‘Neon The Won’ EP [STREAM]"]. okayplayer.com

• Circles (2020)

MonoNeon played bass on the song, "Complicated" [https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/mac-miller-mononeon-circles-complicated/ "How MonoNeon Ended Up On Mac Miller’s Posthumous Album, ‘Circles’"]. liveforlivemusic.com

• "With The Music" (2020)

MonoNeon played bass on the songs "With The Music" and "The Freedom" {{Cite web |title=With The Music, by Matt Johnson |url=https://matt-johnson.bandcamp.com/album/with-the-music-album-2 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=Matt Johnson |language=en}}

• King's Disease (2020)

Bass on "All Bad" and credited as 'MnoNeon' for additional producer

• Knower Forever (2023)

• Natural Brown Prom Queen (2022)

Bass, keyboard, drums, producing and writing credits on "It's Already Done"

• God Reason [feat. Katt Williams, George Clinton and James Fauntleroy] (2025)

MonoNeon: producer, writer, vocals, electric sitar, bass, keyboards, drum programming

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Category:American noise musicians

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Category:Berklee College of Music alumni

Category:Guitarists from Tennessee

Category:American male bass guitarists

Category:21st-century American bass guitarists

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:African-American guitarists