Bongwater (band)
Encyclopedia
Bongwater was a psych rock
band formed in 1985
and dissolved in 1992
. The group was founded by Ann Magnuson
and Mark Kramer
(who was also the founder of the Shimmy Disc
record label), who had worked together previously in Pulsallama. The group also featured drummer Dave Licht and guitarists [Dave Rick] and later Randolph A. Hudson III. Guests included Fred Frith
, Peter Stampfel and Fred Schneider
.
s and originals in an abrasive and/or abstract, dense and sludgy experimental
style with often dreamy and cacophonous vocals by Magnuson on the songs "Frank" (a sardonic "tribute" to Frank Sinatra
) and "Dazed and Chinese" (Led Zeppelin
's "Dazed and Confused", sung in Mandarin). The band's style ultimately evolved into a more poppy
, sexy approach which still retained an experimental edge as well as retaining the surreal and wicked, often self-deprecating wit which had distinguished the group's earlier releases. Lengthy sound collages would often terminate or begin the songs and without warning and a spoken word
monologue
(often taken from Magnuson's dream journal
excerpts) might cut into the music.
They distinguished themselves as interpreters of songs by other artists and in particular of 1960s psychedelic rock
songs, although they also covered occasional oddities like "Bedazzled" by Dudley Moore
. They made "Kisses Sweeter than Wine
" by The Weavers
and "You Don't Love Me Yet" by Roky Erickson
into virtual signature tunes. The former was made into a tribute to Bobby, Magnuson's late beloved brother, and others lost to AIDS
. A number of their other songs made reference to this. This included their arguably biggest college radio hit, "Folk Song".
The group created a number of arty low budget home movie
-style music video
s, three directed by Magnuson's then-boyfriend, Brad Dunning. However a more slick and polished example, "The Power of Pussy", strangely, aired on the Playboy Channel, which also financed its production.
Bongwater had two major college radio hits, "The Power of Pussy" and the marathon-length "Folk Song" and some college radio chart success. Personality clashes and money issues, however, caused the duo to split up with much acrimony.
Compilations:
External links=
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band formed in 1985
1985 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1985.-January–March:*January 1 - The newest music video channel, VH-1, debuts on American cable. It is aimed at an older demographic than its sister station, MTV...
and dissolved in 1992
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
. The group was founded by Ann Magnuson
Ann Magnuson
Ann Magnuson is an American actress, performance artist, and nightclub performer who first gained prominence in the 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan...
and Mark Kramer
Mark Kramer
Mark Kramer , known professionally as Kramer, is a musician, composer, record producer and founder of the New York City record label Shimmy-Disc...
(who was also the founder of the Shimmy Disc
Shimmy Disc
Shimmy Disc was an influential New York City based record label founded in 1987 by Mark Kramer. Before it was sold to the Knitting Factory, it was responsible for providing a mass audience for acts including Bongwater, Daniel Johnston, Fly Ashtray, Galaxie 500, King Missile, Boredoms, Ruins, Ween,...
record label), who had worked together previously in Pulsallama. The group also featured drummer Dave Licht and guitarists [Dave Rick] and later Randolph A. Hudson III. Guests included Fred Frith
Fred Frith
Fred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
, Peter Stampfel and Fred Schneider
Fred Schneider
Frederick William "Fred" Schneider III is an American rock singer, best known as the frontman of the rock band The B-52's, of which he is a founding member. Schneider is well-known for his sprechgesang which he developed from reciting poetry over guitars.-Early life:Schneider was born in Newark,...
.
Overview
Earlier recordings consisted of psychedelic-era cover songs, sound collageSound collage
In music, montage or sound collage is a technique where sound objects or compositions, including songs, are created from collage, also known as montage, the use of portions of previous recordings or scores...
s and originals in an abrasive and/or abstract, dense and sludgy experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
style with often dreamy and cacophonous vocals by Magnuson on the songs "Frank" (a sardonic "tribute" to Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
) and "Dazed and Chinese" (Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
's "Dazed and Confused", sung in Mandarin). The band's style ultimately evolved into a more poppy
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, sexy approach which still retained an experimental edge as well as retaining the surreal and wicked, often self-deprecating wit which had distinguished the group's earlier releases. Lengthy sound collages would often terminate or begin the songs and without warning and a spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
monologue
Monologue
In theatre, a monologue is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience. Monologues are common across the range of dramatic media...
(often taken from Magnuson's dream journal
Dream journal
A dream journal is a journal in which dream experiences are recorded. A dream journal might include a record of nightly dreams, personal reflections and waking dream experiences. It is often used in the study of dreams and psychology. Dream journals are also used by people trying to lucid dream....
excerpts) might cut into the music.
They distinguished themselves as interpreters of songs by other artists and in particular of 1960s psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
songs, although they also covered occasional oddities like "Bedazzled" by Dudley Moore
Dudley Moore
Dudley Stuart John Moore, CBE was an English actor, comedian, composer and musician.Moore first came to prominence as one of the four writer-performers in the ground-breaking comedy revue Beyond the Fringe in the early 1960s, and then became famous as half of the highly popular television...
. They made "Kisses Sweeter than Wine
Kisses Sweeter than Wine (song)
"Kisses Sweeter than Wine" is a popular love song written by The Weavers in 1950, and a hit for Jimmie Rodgers in 1957 and Frankie Vaughan in 1958.-History:...
" by The Weavers
The Weavers
The Weavers were an American folk music quartet based in the Greenwich Village area of New York City. They sang traditional folk songs from around the world, as well as blues, gospel music, children's songs, labor songs, and American ballads, and selling millions of records at the height of their...
and "You Don't Love Me Yet" by Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.-Biography:...
into virtual signature tunes. The former was made into a tribute to Bobby, Magnuson's late beloved brother, and others lost to AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
. A number of their other songs made reference to this. This included their arguably biggest college radio hit, "Folk Song".
The group created a number of arty low budget home movie
Home movies
A home movie is part of the motion picture filmmaking process made by amateurs, often for viewing by family and friends. When the hobby began, home movies were produced on photographic film, but accessibility of video production with video cameras and low cost data storage devices has made the...
-style music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s, three directed by Magnuson's then-boyfriend, Brad Dunning. However a more slick and polished example, "The Power of Pussy", strangely, aired on the Playboy Channel, which also financed its production.
Bongwater had two major college radio hits, "The Power of Pussy" and the marathon-length "Folk Song" and some college radio chart success. Personality clashes and money issues, however, caused the duo to split up with much acrimony.
EPs
- Breaking No New Ground (1988)
- The Peel Session (1992; Dutch East India Trading Records)
Albums
- Double BummerDouble BummerDouble Bummer is a double-LP by Bongwater which was released in 1988.-Side A:# "Lesbians of Russia"# "Frank"# "We Did It Again"# "Homer"# "Joy Ride"# "Decadent Iranian Country Club"# "David Bowie Wants Ideas"# "Rock & Roll Part 2"-Side B:...
(1989) - Too Much SleepToo Much Sleep (Bongwater album)Too Much Sleep is the second album by the experimental college rock/art rock band Bongwater. It was released in 1989. Unlike the earlier Double Bummer, it was a single album....
(1990) - The Power of PussyThe Power of PussyThe Power of Pussy is a CD by Bongwater which was released in 1990. The album contains major college radio hits such as the title track, as well as favorites such as "Nick Cave Dolls" and "Folk Song," with covers of Dudley Moore's "Bedazzled" and "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" by The Weavers.-Track...
(1991) - The Big Sell-OutThe Big Sell-OutThe Big Sell-Out is the fourth and last CD by the experimental college rock/art-rock band Bongwater. It was recorded in 1991 and released in 1992....
(1992)
Compilations:
- Double Bummer/Breaking No New Ground
- Box of Bongwater (contains their entire discography) (1998)
External links=
- Bongwater@Discogs.com
- [ Bongwater entry at Allmusic.com]