Bonerama
A freight train of trombones playing Led Zeppelin and vintage funk. High-voltage New Orleans brass that hits with the force of a heavy metal rhythm section.
A freight train of trombones playing Led Zeppelin and vintage funk. High-voltage New Orleans brass that hits with the force of a heavy metal rhythm section.
Imagine a traditional New Orleans brass band that decided to trade their sheet music for Black Sabbath and James Brown records. The sound is massive, anchored by a phalanx of trombones that don't just play melodies, they snarl, scream, and growl through wah-wah pedals and distortion. It is a thick, humid wall of sound that feels like a physical force in the room, driven by a relentless, syncopated drum kit and a sousaphone that provides a chest-thumping low end.
What makes them truly distinctive is their refusal to be polite. While many brass bands aim for a polished jazz aesthetic, Bonerama leans into the grit of arena rock. They use the trombone as a lead guitar, utilizing feedback and slide techniques to mimic the soaring solos of classic rock icons. It is a high-energy collision of Second Line tradition and heavy metal attitude that shouldn't work on paper but feels inevitable when you hear it.
Start with 'Bringing It Home' to hear them at their peak of original funk-rock fusion, or dive into 'Bonerama Plays Zeppelin' to witness how they transform iconic guitar riffs into brass-led anthems. It's the perfect entry point for anyone who thinks they don't like brass music.
Bonerama is a brass funk rock band from New Orleans. Bonerama was formed in 1998 by trombone players Mark Mullins and Craig Klein, who, from 1990 up until late 2006, were also members of Harry Connick Jr.'s big band. Shortly thereafter, they added trombone players Steve Suter, Brian O'Neill, and Rick Trolsen, sousaphone player Matt Perrine, guitarist Bert Cotton, and drummer Eric Bolivar. New Orleans drummers Russell Batiste, Stanton Moore, Doug Belote, Chad Gilmore, Terence Higgins, and Kevin O'Day have also been playing with Bonerama for periods of time. Later, Charlie Wooton and Nori Naraoka electric bass replaced Matt Perrine before his return to the band in 2013. Brian O'Neill had a heart attack and died while on a solo piano gig in New Orleans in December 2005. Bonerama released their debut album in 2001. On January 2, 2008, Bonerama performed the national anthem at the 2008 Sugar Bowl. On February 5, they released a joint EP with OK Go, entitled You're Not Alone, to raise money for New Orleans musicians displaced by the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. After the departure of Rick Trolsen and Steve Suter in early 2009, trombonist Greg Hicks joined the band.
Shares trombone, funk, nu jazz, joyful (signature)
Shares funk, psychedelic rock, raspy, dive bar (signature)
Shares wall of sound, psychedelic rock, hard rock, live recording (signature)
Shares funk, psychedelic rock, joyful, live recording (signature)
Shares funk, joyful, live recording, raspy (signature)
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