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The Bongos

From Alfawiki
The Bongos
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1980
Headquarters
Hoboken, New Jersey
,
United States
Key people
Richard Barone
ProductsMusic albums, singles

The Bongos are a power pop ensemble originating from Hoboken, New Jersey, emerging from the vibrant New York City art scene and primarily active throughout the 1980s under the leadership of Richard Barone. They played a significant role in the Hoboken indie-pop movement and gained nationwide recognition as MTV rose to prominence. Their notable single "Numbers with Wings" developed a dedicated fanbase and received a nomination at the first-ever MTV Video Music Awards. Alongside several contemporaries, the Bongos contributed to the progression of the alternative rock genre.

History

The Bongos originated from an earlier group named "a," which featured the three founding members plus Glenn Morrow, who later established Bar/None Records. This predecessor band was the inaugural act to perform at Maxwell's, an influential rock venue in Hoboken.

Under the guidance of Richard Barone (vocals, guitar), with Rob Norris on bass and Frank Giannini on drums, guitarist James Mastro joined following their initial LP release. They performed extensively within Hoboken and New York City, toured across the U.K. and Europe, and subsequently expanded their reach with tours throughout the United States.

Formed in 1980, the Bongos quickly made an impact at Manhattan’s new wave hotspots such as Tier 3 and the Mudd Club, merging guitar-centric pop with elements of avant-garde and dance music. Early projects included supporting violinist Helen Hooke, who assisted in producing their debut demo. Their live performances at venues like Hurrah, Danceteria, and The Ritz garnered praise for energetic shows featuring guitar solos and saxophone improvisations reminiscent of artists like Lou Reed and Ornette Coleman. Their rhythmic dance beats also contributed to their popularity on club dance floors.

They signed with British label Fetish Records, known for its roster of industrial and post-punk artists, where they recorded initial singles and their first EP, Time and the River, in London. The covers were designed by renowned graphic artist Neville Brody. Collaborations with experimental acts such as Throbbing Gristle added to their avant-garde reputation. Their American debut album, Drums Along the Hudson (1982), compiled from singles released in Britain, received positive critical acclaim worldwide. Their rendition of T. Rex's "Mambo Sun" attained No. 22 on the Billboard Dance Club Chart in 1981. The flourishing Hoboken scene they helped establish attracted national media coverage and increased local real estate values.

After extensive tours alongside groups like The B-52s, Barone and Mastro collaborated on a duo project titled Nuts & Bolts, co-produced by Mitch Easter, featuring acoustic arrangements and alternating lead vocals.

In 1983, upon signing with RCA Records, they released the mini-album Numbers With Wings. Although some critics felt that polished production diminished their raw intensity, it spawned a widely viewed MTV video nominated for 'Best Direction' at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards. The title track dominated the College Music Journal chart for six weeks, while "Barbarella" became a favorite on dance floors. Supporting this success, they performed over 300 shows per year. Their subsequent album, Beat Hotel, influenced by Brazilian sounds and featuring additional percussionist Steve Scales (Talking Heads), further enhanced their reputation and cult status. Nevertheless, mounting pressures culminated in an unofficial breakup during sessions for Phantom Train at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas in 1987. This incomplete record was not released until 2013.

Later work

Richard Barone has issued multiple solo records, such as Glow (2010, Bar/None Records), the three-disc live anthology 'cool blue halo' 25th Anniversary Concert (2012, DigSin), and Sorrows & Promises: Greenwich Village in the 1960s (2016). He maintains an active touring schedule and engages in both recording and concert production. Since 2011, Barone has held professorships at NYU's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music as well as The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. Additionally, he has participated on the Recording Academy/Grammys Board of Governors and provides guidance to Anthology Film Archives. His memoir Frontman came out in 2007, followed by Music & Revolution: Greenwich Village in the 1960s in 2022. James Mastro operates "The Guitar Bar" in Hoboken and tours with Ian Hunter and Mott the Hoople. Bassist Rob Norris contributes to various ensembles including Feelies offshoots, while drummer Frank Giannini remains active across multiple drumming projects.

In 2006, the original Bongos trio reunited with producer Moby to create additional content for a CD reissue of their debut album. The remastered 27-track deluxe edition of Drums Along the Hudson was issued worldwide by Cooking Vinyl Records in June 2007, featuring rare live performances alongside fresh studio tracks. Concurrently, a video for "Bulrushes 2007," a reimagined version of their early single, was released on iTunes.

The trio staged reunion concerts at Joe's Pub in Greenwich Village during 2006–2007, later reassembling as a quartet in Hoboken on September 30, 2007—marking their first show there in two decades. This event attracted a packed audience and earned a Proclamation from Mayor David Roberts honoring their cultural impact. They shared the bill with acts such as Chris Stamey Group and Glenn Mercer.

Sony digitally reissued the Bongos’ RCA catalog via iTunes and Apple Music in spring 2008. On March 11, 2009, they performed at New York City’s City Winery following an R.E.M. tribute concert at Carnegie Hall supporting music education initiatives. Later that year, the band played Maxwell's for the first time since 1986 and appeared at the CMJ Music Marathon alongside the Fleshtones. In January 2010, they reunited once more at City Winery to raise funds for Haiti earthquake relief. Members often join Barone during his solo tours.

On July 31, 2013, the Bongos closed Maxwell's final concert—bringing full circle their history as they had also opened the venue decades earlier. Barone revealed plans for releasing their previously unreleased album Phantom Train on October 1, 2013 via Jem Records’ revived imprint. The album was remixed by Barone and Steve Addabbo; Emil Schult’s original cover artwork was restored for its packaging.

On June 8, 2015, the Bongos reunited with drummer Dennis Diken (of the Smithereens) to act as the house band for WFUV’s "Fare Thee Well" concert honoring retiring radio icon Vin Scelsa at City Winery. During this three-hour broadcast event, they supported performers including David Johansen, Marshall Crenshaw, Southside Johnny, Stephen Trask, and David Bromberg.

In October 2016, the group toured the Northeastern United States alongside West Coast power-pop band the Rubinoos.

A planned tour celebrating "four decades Hoboken Pop" set for 2020 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January 2021, The Bongos inked a new distribution agreement with RCA Records through Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings. Their initial release under this deal was Beat Hotel – Expanded Edition, arriving on July 9, 2021—a high-definition remaster featuring twelve previously unreleased bonus tracks.

To honor the fortieth anniversary of Numbers With Wings, RCA issued an expanded edition including eight unreleased live performances from 1985. In October 2023, RCA released "Rock The Christmas Cheer!," marking their first new track since 1986. On November 19, 2023, they appeared at Carnegie Hall as part of Music + Revolution: Greenwich Village in the 1960s.

In April 2025, Jem Records announced a forthcoming live album titled The Shroud of Touring: Live in 1985, scheduled for release on May 23 through Jem in collaboration with RCA and Sony Music. This CD release was followed by a streaming version from RCA on September 19.

Studio albums

Live Album

Compilation albums

Tracks such as "Numbers with Wings" have been included in numerous 1980s compilation albums released by various labels.

Singles

  • "Telephoto Lens" b/w "Glow in the Dark" (1980, Fetish Records)
  • "In the Congo" b/w "Mambo Sun" (1980, Fetish Records)
  • "The Bulrushes" b/w "Automatic Doors" (1981, Fetish Records)
  • "Zebra Club" b/w "Certain Harbours" (1982, Fetish Records)
  • "Mambo Sun" b/w "Hunting" (1982, Fetish Records)
  • "Numbers with Wings" b/w "Skydiving" (1983, RCA Records, Sweden)
  • "Numbers with Wings" (Remix) b/w "Barbarella" (Remix) – 12" single – (1983, RCA Records)
  • "Barbarella" b/w tracks by One the Juggler and Blue Zoo – (1983, Trouser Press Flexi 7")
  • "Brave New World (True Love Is Ordinary)" b/w "Totem Pole" (1985, RCA Records)
  • "Brave New World (True Love Is Ordinary)" (Radio Edit) – 12" single – (1985, RCA Records)
  • "Space Jungle" b/w "Apache Dancing" (1985, RCA Records, France)
  • "Bulrushes 2007", The Bongos + Moby – CD single – (2007, Cooking Vinyl Records)
  • "My Wildest Dreams" (2013, JEM Records, digital only)
  • "Mambo Sun" (Remastered) (2020, Fetish Records, digital only)
  • "Rock the Christmas Cheer!" (2023, RCA Records, Div. of Sony Music Entertainment, digital only)

12" EPs

  • In the Congo (1981, Fetish Records) – produced by Mark Abel and the Bongos
  • Time and the River (1982, Fetish Records) – production by Ken Thomas and the Bongos
  • Numbers with Wings (1983, RCA Records) – produced by Richard Gottehrer

Miscellaneous

  • Nuts and Bolts (1983, Passport Records), a duo album by Richard Barone and James Mastro – produced by Barone, Mastro, and Mitch Easter

Music videos

  • "In the Congo" – directed by Ed Steinberg
  • "Mambo Sun" – directed by Ed Steinberg
  • "The Bulrushes" – directed by Phil Marino
  • "Numbers with Wings" – directed by Juliano Waldmann
  • "Brave New World" – directed by Juliano Waldmann
  • "Bulrushes 2007" (featuring Moby) – directed by Richard Kerris

External links

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