Bonk can be added to the long list of talented bands hailing from the Kent area. Now featuring a slimed-down line up, contracting from six pieces to four, they have trimmed the fat and look to make a run at the big show. Featuring a vast array of influences and styles, Bonk has set out to make music it enjoys, period. The gentlemen took a few minutes to give us some inside info on the line up change, new material, and its backyard game of choice.
S*KM: So what is going on with the line up? who is exiting and who is entering?
Bonk: Well, for now we are continuing as a four piece. Rick and Aski have left the band. We would consider replacing both of them if the right people came along. For now, we are happy as is.
S*KM: What was the cause for the shake up and the departures?
Bonk: We had different goals. The four of us want to be successful at this. We don’t want to be a local band. We realized that Aski and Rick would not quit their jobs and leave their current situations if we were to ever get signed and we demanded more dedication than that. We don’t play music for money and we don’t write music to appease people. However, the ultimate goal is to get paid to do what we love. We are still friends with both of them.
S*KM: How will this effect Bonk’s sound? Is songwriting a collaborative effort or is there one main songwriter?
Bonk: We have always written collectively. Sometimes Pie(Vocals) will write a song on guitar. Brandon(Drums)and Coler(Guitar) may write a vocal line. Typically someone comes up with an idea; guitar riff, vocal line, etc and we put it together as a group.
S*KM: Is there a time table for when the new material will be ready?
Bonk: We have our album written. We are currently getting it tight and will likely hit the studio within the next week or two. We plan on releasing a 3 song demo in a month or so. We are trying to get the full length out as soon as possible. We feel this is our best material to date.
S*KM: Who are some of the more memorable bands you have shared the stage with?
Bonk: We love local music. Amplexus, Drop to Zero, Know Lyfe(Michigan) and 13 Even(Philly) are a couple of our favorites. Playing with Mushroomhead is always cool as fuck since we have looked up to them since we were kids. Soulfly, Authority Zero, Byzantine, BobaFlex and Hed p.e. were also memorable.
S*KM: Of the handful of bands that have made a splash nationally from the area, which are you most proud to claim as Northeast Ohio natives?
Bonk: We’d have to go with Mushroomhead. They were so far ahead of their time. Mushroomhead is a great example of how fucked up the music industry is. In our opinion they should have been one of the biggest bands in the world.
S*KM: In the song “What Is It” there is a steady dose of death metal backing vocals, yet the song remains upbeat and melodic. How does Bonk go about walking that thin line of blending elements?
Bonk: We take influence from everything. We don’t really look at it as walking a fine line because we don’t care what people think of our music. Would we like people to listen? Of course we would. Are we going to write music for anyone but ourselves? Absolutely not. If it sounds cool to us, we just go with it.
S*KM: We recently talked with Drop to Zero about the inner circle of bands working in the area, where can we find the Kent rock stars hanging out off stage?
Bonk: Haha, I wouldn’t refer to any of us as rock stars. We just live normal, fairly boring lives. We party a lot. We have a lot of fun. Some of us drink and some smoke weed and some of us do a little more. We just have a good time. After local shows, Amplexus usually has a party and we see all the guys from Amplexus and Drop to Zero. They’re all really cool dudes.
S*KM: With summer looming what is Bonk’s backyard game of choice? (ie. Corn hole, Bocce, Horseshoes)
Bonk: haha, everyone seems to have a corn hole board these days so we’ll play a little of that.
S*KM: What are Bonk’s expectations when it comes to the music business?
Bonk: Geez, that’s a tough question. I guess our only expectation is that someone is always going to try to fuck you over one way or another. From club owners to other bands, there’s a lot of shit that goes on. Every scum bag out there wants to make a buck.
S*KM: Any big plans or shows coming up this summer?
Bonk: We are having a fan appreciation show on June 6th. The show is in Kent at Fat Jimmy’s and is free. We also have a show June 28th at the Cellar in Youngstown. We’ll also be heading to Michigan to play with our friends Know Lyfe quite a bit.
You can check out Bonk for yourself at www.myspace.com/bonk and catch them live next at the Agora on Friday, May 30 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nice to see Bonk getting a little press, great band!