ZONK

Sometimes described as Beck meets Portishead, ZONK is a modern melding of styles united by a distinctive, sultry voice and evolved songwriting.

• ZONKs sound blends Electronic music, Trip Hop, and Rock.
• Fits well in a record collection with Bjork, Tribe Called Quest, the Gorillaz, Beck, Outkast, and Portishead.
• Released two previous albums on Mission Underground Records.
• Seeking management and label support for the current album (10-15 songs).
• Feb. 9, 2004 - won a nationwide download contest that also focused on a good cause.

2004 began with a bang: ZONK beat out numerous acts nationwide to win the Music For America download contest, leading to a successful east coast tour where they opened for De La Soul at a sold out show in Boston and played The Knitting Factory in NYC. In 2003, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest awarded an honorable mention for the group’s song hard.full.often.

Born in 1998, ZONK’s music was featured twice on MTV’s Undressed, as well as in independent films and the music video show, SF Sound. They receive radio airplay (on stations such as KUSF and radio.dominican.edu) and have experience that includes hundreds of shows, large venues, and a fan base of more than 600 “ZONKaholics”.

After supporting their first two full-length albums on San Franciscos Mission Underground Records, much of 2003 was spent in the studio crafting, arranging, and producing new material. ZONK’s near-term focus is to present this new music to distinguished management, prominent labels, and the world, while performing, touring … and evolving.

Introducting ZONK

Dave L denies it, but he can play any instrument he touches. His recent successes include a new electronica album under the name or-if-is - which includes tracks featured in the movie Groove (Sony Pictures), as well as deals with ACM Records (publishing), NOMA Music (licensing), and film soundtracks. He also has several years experience doing music and sound work for video games by companies including LucasArts and Electronic Arts with credits such as James Bond: Everything Or Nothing, RTX Red Rock, Star Wars Jedi Knight, and Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine. His pedigree includes the prestigious experimental music program at CalArts. He is pithy with words, but speaks volumes with his eyebrows.

McFiendish (a nickname bestowed by her opera singing great-grandmother) is a lyricist with a Motown native’s attitude and the ability to savor most moments. Nic has contributed studio vocals for producers including Chris Camozzi and Johnny Quest (listen to Down) ranging from hip-hop and R&B to soulful pop. A music program dropout and former radio personality (she’s been on air with Danny Bonaduce, on New York’s K-Rock, at KOME and KSJO, and in Detroit) rumor has it McFiendish has shared blunts and mics with a few celebrated musicians.

Uncle Bergie has been in bands out of California, Washington D.C., Boston, Moscow, and Sydney for the last decade. He is an inventive multi-instrumentalist who has performed with bluegrass, blues, gypsy, funk, Peruvian, Bossa Nova, hip-hop and rock groups, and considers ZONK his true creative outlet. When not satisfying his wanderlust, Bergie weekly redesigns his bedroom studio where he records artists ranging from the mouth harp and cajon to full brazilian bands.

DJ Red5 grew up part of the Bay Areas underground DJ crew battle scene of the Scratch Pickle era. Operating as a club DJ and mixologist, hes showcased with the likes of NWA, MC Hammer, Too Short, and Eazy-E. He enjoys a good hook, creating beats, singing falsetto, and romance.

Press

"What would happen if Poe. did trip-hop? Yeah, ok, so it aint like she doesnt already do some trippy music. So heres some smooth funk on sweet synth sounds, accessible and sultry on great female vocals, sinisterly urbanized on great turntabilism scratching and just enough of the edgy pop set to give one an excellent companion to their Goldfrapp yearnings. Its....ZONK"
Bill Mahoney, Techno Punk Music.

This postcard was for a San Francisco gallery exhibit of six talented music photographers. ZONKs Nic McFiendish is featured alongside such notables as Perry Farrell (Janes Addiction) and Doyle (The Misfits). Photo compliments of Neil Motteram/Dodgy Photography.

ZONK is my new favorite band! Their presence mesmerizes the moment they hit the stage. Inventive electronic sounds, great lyrics, fun vibe and infectious energy You MUST go see this band!"

Roberta Donnay, Grammy-nominated artist and founder of Diva Bands Association

"The band I could see every night and listen to every day."
Bodacious Brenda, the Blue Moon show on KUSF 90.3FM San Francisco