Bringing It Home by Bonerama

The initial stirrings of the trombone cavalcade known as Bonerama began in 1998, when Mullins and Klein found themselves with some rare time off from their steady gig in Harry Connick Jr's big band. Though both have showed their fine abilities in jazz, Mullins and Klein didn't envision a jazz trombone assemblage. Subtlety was not the foundation upon which Bonerama was to be built. Instead, the band's sound was to deliver pure horn muscle. Rock 'n' roll formed their mission statement, along with the second-line funk of their New Orleans roots. Gathering up a dizzying display of trombone talent, Mullins and Klein quickly brought fellow honking peers Steve Suter, Brian O'Neill and Rick Trolsen into the fold. Augmenting their horn attack came the imaginative and dynamic sousaphone player, Matt Perrine, the edgy experimental guitar of Bert Cotton, and the entrenched rhythmic pocket of drummer Chad Gilmore (though New Orleans drumming heroes Russell Batiste, Doug Belote and Kevin O'Day have been known to step behind the kit for periods of time). After several well-received local gigs, a noticeable buzz began to form around the bone-happy upstarts. As their sound evolved, it became apparent that their sound was one that defied typical labels. A thunderous funk attack might suddenly turn into an acid rock meltdown. Their unpredictability was infectious.

They wanted their trombone spitting funk, rock and jazz to be heard not only in their beloved Crescent City, but all over the country as well. In 2001, Bonerama released their debut album, Live at the Old Point to critical acclaim throughout New Orleans and Louisiana. Rave reviews from OffBeat magazine, Gambit Weekly, and The Times Picayune cemented a belief that many music lovers in the area had already known. Bonerama had become one of the hottest, most creative bands in New Orleans. Local adulation was fine and all, but Bonerama had set their sights higher. On their first tour of the East Coast, Bonerama made quick work of the Northeast, easily selling out venues like Manhattan's Tobacco Road. San Francisco's Boom Boom Room has welcomed Bonerama with open arms and packed houses each time they've come around. CD - #6 on Jazz Fest Charts As much as these successful tours have helped spread the trombone gospel to music fans around the country, it has been the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival that has truly launched the band. Their performances at Jazz Fest have caused quite a stir, even garnering the attention of one David Fricke, Rolling Stone editor, and quite possibly the most influential rock critic in the country. In his widely-admired "On the Edge" column, Fricke lauded the band's powerful musical presence calling them "the ultimate in brass balls...five trombones blowing power chords and punchy riffs like true air guitars." Not surprisingly, their Live at the Old Point CD has been a top-seller at the festival for three straight years.

The New CD 11.9.04 In March of this year, Bonerama returned to New York for back to back nights at Tribeca Rock. Musical guests included Galactic's Stanton Moore on drums, and the legendary trombonist Fred Wesley of the JB Horns. Fortunately for all, the gigs were recorded, and the fruits of these musical labors will be released as a CD on November 9, 2004. It's been three years in between albums, and in that short span, the band has gained a remarkable reputation for incendiary live performances, as well as a devout and ever-expanding fanbase. With the release of their sophomore record, Bonerama intend to bring their horns into the forefront of the brass world. The age of the trumpet and saxophone has officially ended. Enter the trombone. -Christopher Blagg / Boston Herald / Offbeat magazine

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