DJ Bonebrake
Encyclopedia
Donald J. "DJ" Bonebrake is an American musician from California
who first emerged as the drummer
of the punk rock
band Eyes (also featuring Charlotte Caffey
of The Go-Go's
). He is best known as an original member of and drummer for punk rock
band X, of which he is still an active member.
Bonebrake is the only founding member of X from California (whereas the other three are originally from Illinois
), having grown up in the San Fernando Valley
. Bonebrake has also performed with two of the band's side projects: the country-folk-punk band The Knitters
as well as Auntie Christ
, both of which feature his bandmates John Doe
and Exene Cervenka
. He has also performed with The Flesheaters
, another early L.A. punk band, and was briefly the drummer for The Germs
.
In 2010, Bonebrake joined the Rancid
side project Devil's Brigade
.
Although most of his work has been within the punk genre, Bonebrake heads two jazz groups: the Bonebrake Syncopaters, who play classical jazz, and the Afro-Cuban and Latin-inspired Orchestra Superstring.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
who first emerged as the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
of the punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Eyes (also featuring Charlotte Caffey
Charlotte Caffey
Charlotte Irene Caffey is an American rock and roll guitarist and songwriter, best known for her work in the Go-Go's in the 1980s, including writing "We Got the Beat."...
of The Go-Go's
The Go-Go's
The Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made history as the first all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts....
). He is best known as an original member of and drummer for punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band X, of which he is still an active member.
Bonebrake is the only founding member of X from California (whereas the other three are originally from Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
), having grown up in the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
. Bonebrake has also performed with two of the band's side projects: the country-folk-punk band The Knitters
The Knitters
The Knitters are a Los Angeles-based band who play country, rockabilly and folk music. At the time of their formation they were pioneers of country punk, cowpunk or folk punk, the genre which gradually evolved into alternative country...
as well as Auntie Christ
Auntie Christ
Auntie Christ is a late-1990s punk rock band, containing Exene Cervenka and D.J. Bonebrake of the band X and Matt Freeman of the band Rancid.- Albums :* Life Could Be A Dream...
, both of which feature his bandmates John Doe
John Doe (musician)
John Doe is an American singer, songwriter, actor, poet and bass player. Doe founded the much-praised L.A. punk band X, of which he is still an active member. His musical performances and compositions span the rock, country and folk music genres...
and Exene Cervenka
Exene Cervenka
Exene Cervenka is an American writer, musician and artist, most famous as the co-lead vocalist of the Los Angeles punk rock band X.-Career:...
. He has also performed with The Flesheaters
The Flesh Eaters (band)
The Flesh Eaters are an American punk rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1977. They are the most prominent of the bands which have showcased the compositions and singing of their founder, punk poet Chris Desjardins, known as...
, another early L.A. punk band, and was briefly the drummer for The Germs
The Germs
The Germs are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band's early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and their most consistent drummer Don Bolles. Germs have since reformed in 2005 with Shane...
.
In 2010, Bonebrake joined the Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
side project Devil's Brigade
Devil's Brigade (band)
Devils Brigade is an American rock band formed as a side project by Rancid bassist Matt Freeman in 2000. In Devils Brigade Freeman performs a mix of punk rock and psychobilly styles, singing lead vocals and playing a double bass in contrast to the backing vocals and electric bass guitar he performs...
.
Although most of his work has been within the punk genre, Bonebrake heads two jazz groups: the Bonebrake Syncopaters, who play classical jazz, and the Afro-Cuban and Latin-inspired Orchestra Superstring.