Who? Started by “sleazy hippies of the Oslo punk scene”(that’s straight from their press release, folks), Andreas “Dez” Grotterud (guitar/vocals) and Leif Frimann Koren (guitar/vocals) early in this millenium, Bonk initally worked with various musicians until they connected with the steadying force of drummer Gisle Amundsen. The 2005 debut, Western Soul, caught the ear of Bard Hovik, who was so impressed with the sound that he offered his services as a bassist. Bonk have since brought their blend of Norwegian death-punk and fuzzed out rock riffs to fans in Europe and China, and they’ve played with other notable imports like Franz Ferdinand and the Hives. Their newest album, Bonk Against Nothing, has been shipped to our shores care of the Ace Fu Records imprint.
What’s the Deal? Trying to describe Bonk’s sound and pinpoint their influences seems to be a kind of aural Rorschach test: What you hear may have more to do with what your perception is and what your personal influences are, than anything the band would cop to. The bouncy New Wave-inflected opener, “The House,” has all the electric energy of the aforementioned Franz Ferdinand, while the heavier flow of “Images” smacks of a juicy kiss from Judas Priest. Careening from moments of Motorhead to kicking out the punk jams like a modern day MC5, Bonk even have a pinch of the Pixies (most evident on the cheeky Surfer Rosa-style shouted opener to “Demlan”).
Fun Fact: According to their website, Dez and Leif chose the name Bonk because “beside obvious connotations [it] also represents an art ensemble from Finland involved in all aspects of modern art.” We were thinking it might also stand for “Band Outta Norway Kills.” Plus, Bonk have roots in the Norwegian punk-rock band Anal Babes.BRIANA MOWREY
Now Hear This: Bonk – “The Homecoming” DOWNLOAD MP3
Talk: Is Bonk on to something with Against Nothing? COMMENT
On the Web: bonk.no
