With the release of a new five-track EP, Hard Times, the introduction of the fan-funded Boner Donor program, and a trio of multi-gig residencies on the horizon, New Orleans’ inimitable Bonerama has never been busier. The trombone-centric funk-rock troupe is all about checking off milestones right now, conjuring up new ways to spread their boner-ific mojo and enhance the Bonerama experience for their loyal fan base.
Hard Times, available beginning September 29, includes the first-ever studio recordings by Bonerama, once described by Rolling Stone‘s David Fricke as "the ultimate in brass balls." Those who’ve caught them in concert during their decade-plus existence treasure the group’s live recordings, and now Hard Times recasts Bonerama music in a whole other context. The four studio tracks on the EP include the title track, "Hard Times," the instrumental "Folly" and "Lost My House," co-written by Craig Klein and Dave Malone of New Orleans’ legendary Radiators. The last studio recording is a ferocious cover of Led Zeppelin’s "When the Levee Breaks" (who in the Big Easy can’t relate to that?), while the sole live track is a raging rave-up of the Bobby "Blue" Bland soul classic "Turn On Your Love Light," captured at last year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
The release of Hard Times will be supported by a month of Northeast residencies and tour dates running from Oct. 1-30. The residencies include three consecutive Wednesday nights at Johnny D’s in Somerville, MA, four Thursdays at Club Metronome in Burlington, VT, and four Fridays at Sullivan Hall in NYC. The whirlwind tour will also make stops in Pittsburgh, PA; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Wilmington, DE; Londonderry, NH; Rockland, ME; Manchester, CT; Northampton, MA and Lancaster, PA with more cities to be announced. See below for the current list of fall tour dates.
