Bongwater bio

'''Bongwater''' was an often [[Psychedelic rock|trippy]] [[college rock]] band formed by [[Ann Magnuson]] and [[Mark Kramer]] (boss of the [[Shimmy Disc]] record label) in [[1985 in music|1985]] and dissolved in [[1992 in music|1992]]. A guest musician known as [[Dogbowl]] would also make substantial contributions. ==Overview== Earlier recordings consisted of psychedelic-era [[cover song]]s, [[sound collage]]s and originals in an abrasive and/or abstract, dense and sludgy [[experimental music|experimental]] style with often punishing vocals by Magnuson on the songs "Frank" (a sardonic "tribute" to [[Frank Sinatra]]) and "Dazed and Chinese" ([[Led Zeppelin]]'s "[[Dazed and Confused (song)|Dazed and Confused]]", sung in Mandarin). which approach evolved into a more [[pop music|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, a [[spoken word]] [[monologue]] might cut into the music. They distinguished themselves as interpreters of songs by other artists, particularly those working in the vein of 1960s [[psychedelic rock]], 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 tune]]s, the former made into a tribute to John, Magnuson's late beloved brother and others lost to [[AIDS]], obliquely referred to in several of the songs, including their arguably biggest [[college radio]] hit, "Folk Song". The group created a number of no budget [[home movies|home movie]]-style [[music video]]s. However a more slick and polished example, "The Power of Pussy", perhaps strangely, aired on the [[Playboy Channel]], which also financed its production. (The video features [[Cristina Martinez]] writhing about during the opening moments.) Bongwater had two major [[college radio]] hits, "The Power of Pussy" and the marathon-length "Folk Song", and several chart success until personality clashes caused the duo to split up. ==Partial list of found sounds used in the songs== *Speeches by [[Richard Nixon]] ("So Help Me God") *A lengthy excerpt from a [[Radio Tokyo]] [[World War II]]-era propaganda broadcast directed at American GI's stationed in the [[Pacific theatre]] *[[Christian puppetry|Christian puppet]] character Lil' Markie *A [[Lenny Bruce]] comedy routine concerning [[Adolf Hitler]] (featuring some of the same lines of the routine also sampled by [[Chumbawumba]]) *The somewhat notorious self-promotional [[audio tape]] by "J&H Productions" the [[talent agency]] of an unknown man living in [[Cincinnati, Ohio]] sent to the [[entertainment industry]]; he claimed to represent "star after star after star" ==Select discography== ===Singles and EPs=== *"Breaking No New Ground" *''The Peel Session'' ===Full length=== *''[[Too Much Sleep]]'' *''[[Double Bummer]]'' *''[[The Power of Pussy]]'' *''[[The Big Sell-Out]]'' ===Compilations of Material=== *''Double Bummer/Breaking No New Ground'' (also contains "Breaking No New Ground") *''Box of Bongwater'' (contains all but a few songs) ===Bootleg recording=== *''Bongwater Live in New York City '90'' =External links= *[http://www.discogs.com/artist/Bongwater Bongwater@Discogs.com] *[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:uzanqj2bojda~T0 Bongwater entry at Allmusic.com] [[Category:Alternative musical groups]] [[Category:Peel Sessions artists]]

Source: Wikipedia