Uncle Bonsai
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| Uncle Bonsai | |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1981 to 1989, and reunion concerts to present |
Uncle Bonsai is an American contemporary folk trio of Bennington College graduates living in Seattle, Washington. They announced they had disbanded in 1989, but have continued to perform and record occasionally. Their better-known songs during the 1980s included "Suzy", "Charlie and Me", "Penis Envy", and "Boys Want Sex in the Morning", some of which occasionally resulted in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) problems when played on the radio. Twenty-odd songs recount the life experiences of a character named "Doug" ("Doug's First Date", "Doug at His Mom's", "Doug's First Job", "Doug Engaged", "Doug Gets Married", etc.) They are also known for their doo-wop version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" which caused controversy when performed at a baseball game in Tacoma.[1]
Uncle Bonsai has opened for various artists, including Bonnie Raitt, TOTO, Suzanne Vega, Christine Lavin, Loudon Wainwright III, and The Bobs. The members were Andrew Ratshin, Arni Adler, and Ashley Kristen O'Keeffe.[2] In March 2008 they announced that they planned to begin performing more frequently, with O'Keeffe replaced "for the foreseeable future" by Patrice O'Neill. Most of the satirical songs were written by Ratshin, but Adler revealed her own brand of absurdist wit in several songs, including fan favorite "Penis Envy". The band's songs continue to receive airplay on college radio and Dr. Demento.
Andrew Ratshin also performs and records solo as 'The Electric Bonsai Band' ("It's not electric, it's not a band."), and as part of a sextet, 'Mel Cooleys'. His records are available on the Yellow Tail Records label.
[edit] Discography
- A Lonely Grain of Corn (1984; re-release 2001)
- Boys Want Sex in the Morning (1986)
- I Am Joe's Eyes (1990) [Electric Bonsai Band]
- The Inessential Uncle Bonsai (1992)
- Myn Ynd Wymyn (1992)
- But I'm Happy Now (1993) [Electric Bonsai Band]
- Plain Brown Wrapper (1999)
- Sponge Boy (CD single) (1999)
- Doug (2000; recorded live on Aug. 4, 1998) [with Electric Bonsai Band and Mel Cooleys]
- Apology (2001)
- The Grim Parade (2010)
[edit] References
- ^ Stout, Gene (1988-06-06). "POP CONCERT 'BONSAI' IS FULL OF FUN". Seattle P-I, p. C5. http://www.seattlepi.com/archives/1988/8801160257.asp. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (1987-09-21). "Folk Music: Uncle Bonsai". New-York Daily Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/21/arts/folk-music-uncle-bonsai.html. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
[edit] External links
- Official web site
- Uncle Bonsai discography at MusicBrainz
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