Departures of note

Jeff Conolly, widely known by his stage name Monoman, was a central figure in the Boston garage-rock and punk scene. He first gained attention in the mid-1970s as the vocalist and keyboardist of DMZ, a band steeped in 1960s garage rock that recorded for Bomp! and Sire Records. After DMZ splintered, Conolly formed Lyres in 1979, leading the group for decades as its only constant member and organist-vocalist.

Lyres became a Boston institution, praised by critics for their raw, organ-driven sound and infectious rhythms. Their song "Help You Ann" was named one of the greatest Boston songs of all time and ranked high in the Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll, later covered by Courtney Love. Conolly's devotion to vintage records earned him the nickname Monoman, and he kept the punkish garage-rock torch burning well into the 2020s.

Conolly moved to California in 1989 but continued performing with Lyres off and on until their final show in February 2026. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in March 2026 and died at his home on July 31, 2026, at the age of 69.