Bongwater
OriginNew York City
Genres
Years active1987–1992
LabelsShimmy Disc
Past membersAnn Magnuson
Mark Kramer
David Licht
Dave Rick
Randolph A. Hudson III aka Randy Hudson.

Bongwater was an American psychedelic rock band, which formed in 1987 and dissolved in 1992.[1] 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.[2] The group also featured drummer David Licht and guitarists Dave Rick and later Randolph A. Hudson III. Guests included Fred Frith, Peter Stampfel and Fred Schneider.

Overview

Earlier recordings consisted of psychedelic-era cover songs, sound collages 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 Cantonese).[2] 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.[1] Lengthy sound collages would often terminate or begin the songs and without warning, 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, "The Drum" by Slapp Happy 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 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 videos, 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 nine-minute "Folk Song", and some college radio chart success. Personality clashes and money issues caused the duo to split up with much acrimony.

Select discography

all on Shimmy Disc unless stated

Singles

EPs

Albums

Compilations
  • Double Bummer/Breaking No New Ground
  • Box of Bongwater (contains their entire discography) (1998)

References

  1. 1 2 3 Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 162/3. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  2. 1 2 Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 240
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