Bongwater (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Ann Magnuson, Mark Kramer |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | Ann Magnuson, Mark Kramer, David Licht, Dave Rick, Randolph A. Hudson III |
| Products | Psychedelic rock music |
| Parent | Shimmy Disc |
Bongwater was a psychedelic rock ensemble from the United States, established in 1987 and active until 1992. The group was created by Ann Magnuson and Mark Kramer, who also founded the Shimmy Disc record label. Its lineup featured drummer David Licht and guitarists Dave Rick followed later by Randolph A. Hudson III. The band collaborated with notable guest musicians such as Fred Frith, Peter Stampfel, and Fred Schneider.
Overview
At the outset, Bongwater's music blended covers from the psychedelic era, sound collages, and original compositions into a richly layered, experimental soundscape. Magnuson's ethereal yet often discordant vocals stood out on tracks like "Frank," a wry homage to Frank Sinatra, and "Dazed and Chinese," a Cantonese rendition of Led Zeppelin’s "Dazed and Confused." As their career progressed, their style shifted towards a more approachable, pop-oriented direction while preserving the experimental nature and surreal, self-mocking humor that characterized their earlier material. Their songs frequently incorporated sudden shifts into spoken word passages derived from Magnuson's dream diaries.
The band earned recognition for their inventive reinterpretations of 1960s psychedelic rock and diverse eclectic works, including Dudley Moore’s "Bedazzled." They made distinctive versions of "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" by The Weavers, "The Drum" by Slapp Happy, and "You Don't Love Me Yet" by Roky Erickson. The rendition of "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" was dedicated to Magnuson’s late brother Bobby and others lost to AIDS, a recurring motif in their lyrics. Their most prominent college radio success was the track "Folk Song."
Bongwater also created several low-budget but artistically ambitious music videos, three of which were directed by Magnuson's then-partner Brad Dunning. Their more refined video for "The Power of Pussy" was broadcast on the Playboy Channel, which also financed its production.
They scored two significant hits on college radio: "The Power of Pussy" and the extended nine-minute piece "Folk Song," both achieving chart presence within that audience. Despite this success, internal personality clashes and financial disagreements culminated in a bitter dissolution of the band.
Select discography
all released through Shimmy Disc unless otherwise noted
Singles
- "You Don't Love Me Yet" b/w "The Porpoise Song" (7" vinyl) (1988)
EPs
- Breaking No New Ground! (1987)
- The Peel Session (1992; Dutch East India Trading Records)
Albums
- Double Bummer (1988)
- Too Much Sleep (1989)
- The Power of Pussy (1990)
- The Big Sell-Out (1992)
- Compilations
- Double Bummer/Breaking No New Ground
- Box of Bongwater (complete collection) (1998)