If you want to know what kind of band Bonus Room is, you just have to hear the guys tell you the story of how they named their debut EP, Bunk. What started out as a rumination on childhood sleepovers in that titular Bonus Room led to a round of word association around the phrase “bunk bed,” which then led to the story of an epic filibuster in Lee’s hometown of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Somehow, a grandstanding politician coined the insult “bunk,” and history was made.
While this very true story might sound fanciful, what’s undeniable is that this Portland band is beyond bonkers-creative, melding post-punk, psych-rock, and a heavy dose of dancey doom on Bunk, which drops this fall.
Bonus Room formed during the pandemic — a collision of influences wrangled into a band that includes primary songwriters Chris Lee (vocals, guitar, keys, percussion) and Alaskan guitarist/singer/keyboard player Derrin Brice (the moon to Lee’s sun). Guitarist and engineer Wes Phillips and bassist Erik Brownfield also hail from Alaska, while drummer Ben Dorothy is an Oregon native.
On their new single, the wonky electro-rock protest anthem “Riot Gear,” Bonus Room proves to be far more than an artsy rock outfit with individuality. The latest release from the band highlights the empathy that hides underneath the band’s off-kilter approach to modern indie rock. “Riot Gear” finds the fresh band aiming at the powers that be and their abuse of their position, and more importantly, how that power is simply imaginary and can be easily shifted for the better. In an era with plenty of protest songs, Bonus Room crafts one that doesn’t come off as preachy or forced, fitting their anger towards society into a bouncy, fusion-driven sound. The band takes over the streets through uplifting lyrics delivered with a soulful gusto over thudding drums and monstrous guitar riffs, cultivating an infectious, colorful performance. The hectic arrangement and explosive harmonies never take away from the urgent message behind “Riot Gear,” showcasing the intricate approach Bonus Room brings to their music.
