BONG-RA::...
In 1996 after playing in various bands as bassist and drummer Jason Kohnen, founding member of dutch stoner band Celestial Season with whom he released 4 CD's, decides to leave the band format and set new course into electronic music. Heavily charmed by the new sounds of Jungle, Bong-Ra is brought to life...
Djax Records, hooked Bong-Ra late 1997 for the Debut CD and two 12 inches. The debut "New Millennium Dreadz" was released in 1998, followed by the Darkbreaks Volume 1 and 2. National press was very positive and strangely Bong-Ra got a following from the Dutch Gabber scene. An extensive tour with MC Guzman through 1998/99 followed supporting a wide range of acts like: Front 242, Source Direct, Godflesh and Postmen...
Late 1999 Bong-Ra goes a different direction, and takes time to indulge in various side projects. Neo-Gen a drum 'n' bass project with souldiva MC Miss Bunty (DJ Aphrodite), The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble (experimental jazz), and 7105, an audiovisual project with visual wizard DLF (Telco Systems), creating a videoclip for the techno artist Speedy J and Quench, and a visual remix of the cult horror classic 'Night of the Living Dead'. Bong-Ra is asked to join Junkie XL in 2000 as bassist for the tour of their second CD "Sounds of the Big Drags"...but unfortunately the tour gets cancelled.
In 2001 Bong-Ra starts producing new tracks, John Peel, from the legendary BBC Radio 1 show gets hold of the new demo and invites Bong-Ra to record a Peel Session for the show, the premiere of the session is aired on February 21st 2002. The reactions lead to a team up with the US based Gyromart, the creators of the Bikini Bandits (Russ Meyer / Tarantino-esque like movie featuring Maynard James Keene (Tool), Jello Biafra and Dee Dee Ramone) with whom a co-operation is made to join forces in audio and visuals. The track '666 MPH' was chosen by Gyromart for a special release on their "Bikini Bandits Exposed" DVD.
After a period of close to two years Bong-Ra returns with two new 7" releases. "Riddim Wars" is a first in a series of releases. Two tracks 'Bumba Claat' and 'Lef Some Fi Dead', pure hardcore jungle anthems, appearied on the English Death$ucker records, and a favourite on John Peel's Radio1 Show. Clash Records is Bong-Ra's own new 7" label specializing in hardcore ragga jungle. Clash001 is the first in a series of 10 x 7" to come. Combining elements of Jungle, Ragga, Rave and Gabber. The Clash002 "The Blood EP" is a special 12" release with UK ragga vocalist The Dirty Dred. Following the 'Peel Session' on BBC Radio 1, which appeared on 12" in January 2003, through Death$ucker Records. The Darkbreaks EP, (a 4 track EP combining Jazz, Samba, Broken Beats, Jungle, Rock and Rave appearing onRussian Roulette/Suburban Trash Records in Germany), is the latest release creating a steady following in the UK, Germany and the US.
The "Breakcore a Go-Go!" EP a remix 12" of the 666MPH track features remixes by Panacea, Aphasic, Lolita Storm and FFF vs Dionysos. A preview of the mayhem to come.
The second full length CD is scheduled for May 2003 and will be appearing on the Dutch label Supertracks Records, who have signed C-Mon & Kypski, Bastian, Quick N Brite and Black Market Audio. The new CD will be entitled "Bikini Bandits, Kill! Kill! Kill! ", and will be a full on concept album featuring the BB babes!! An appearance on the Audio/visual Impakt Festival and the Eurosonic Festival (part of the Noorderslag Weekend) have been a recognition of the new approach of the Bong-Ra sound and video.
Following his productions, Bong-Ra also hosts and organizes several nights focussing on the developments of new electronic music. The "User Friendly" new electronic events in De Vloer (Utrecht) and Waterfront (Rotterdam), and the heavier "Breakcore a Go-Go!" in Rotterdam. Performing with acts like Eboman, Panacea, DJ Scud, Aphasic, Mike Paradinas (U-ziq), Hecate, Christoph Fringeli and dj/rupture.
Bio Courtesy of Super Tracks Records