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Biography
Refimprove|date=December 2010Infobox musical artist | name = Bongwater| background = group_or_band| origin = New York City , United States | genre =| years_active = 1985& ndash;1992| label = Shimmy Disc | associated_acts =| website =| current_members =| past_members = Ann Magnuson Mark Kramer Dave Licht Dave Rick Randolph A. Hudson III aka Randy Hudson. Bongwater was a psychedelic rock|psych rock band formed in 1985 in music|1985 and dissolved in 1992 in music|1992 . The group was founded by Ann Magnuson and Mark Kramer (who was also the founder of the Shimmy Disc record label), who had worked together previously in Pulsallama.Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography , Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 240 The group also featured drummer Dave Licht and guitarists Dave Rick and later Randolph A. Hudson III. Guests included Fred Frith , Peter Stampfel and Fred Schneider .
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 dreamy and cacophonous 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 Cantonese). The band's style ultimately 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 and a spoken word monologue (often taken from Magnuson's dream journal excerpts) might cut into the music.
They distinguished themselves as interpreters of songs by other artists and in particular of 1960s psychedelic rock songs, although they also covered occasional oddities like "Bedazzled" by Dudley Moore . They made " Kisses Sweeter Than Wine (song)|Kisses Sweeter than Wine " by The Weavers and "You Don't Love Me Yet" by Roky Erickson into virtual signature tune s. The former was made into a tribute to Bobby, Magnuson's late beloved brother, and others lost to AIDS . A number of their other songs made reference to this. This included their arguably biggest college radio hit, "Folk Song".
The group created a number of arty low budget home movies|home movie -style music video s, three directed by Magnuson's then-boyfriend, Brad Dunning. However a more slick and polished example, "The Power of Pussy", strangely, aired on the Playboy Channel , which also financed its production.
Bongwater had two major college radio hits, "The Power of Pussy" and the marathon-length "Folk Song" and some college radio chart success. Personality clashes and money issues, however, caused the duo to split up with much acrimony.
Select discography
all on Shimmy Disc unless stated
EPs
Breaking No New Ground (1988)
The Peel Session (1992; Dutch East India Trading Records)
Albums
Double Bummer (1989)
Too Much Sleep (Bongwater album)|Too Much Sleep (1990)
The Power of Pussy (1991)
The Big Sell-Out (1992)
;Compilations:
Double Bummer/Breaking No New Ground
Box of Bongwater (contains their entire discography) (1998)
