Bongzilla formed sometime in 1995 in Wisconsin, quickly composing a host of songs inspired by their marijuana. Very little is known about the early years of the band except for their appearances on a host of split and EP releases between 1996 and 1999.
They ended up signing to Relapse Records, releasing 2 LPs on the label.
A lineup change prompted one Dixie Dave Collins to join the band as their bassist, leading them to record the band’s fourth album. Amerijuanican was released via Relapse on 27 September 2005 to positive reviews and featured a cover of “Champagne and Reefer” by Muddy Waters. The band toured and remained active until 2009 when the group quietly took a hiatus, their last known show being Forward Fest alongside the likes of Bob Mould, Detroit Cobras and Neko Case to name a few.
Bongzilla began 2017 with a local show in Wisconsin before embarking on another European tour, playing the likes of Roadburn Festival, DesertFest Berlin, DesertFest London, KrisionFest.
Bongzilla have also set course for a 2018 European tour with Dopethrone and Sons of Otis. In early 2020, Bongzilla started their own label called Gungeon Records and released a re-issue of their classic album Apogee.
However, in March of 2020 it would be announced that Cooter Brown would retire from the band due to health and family reasons, with Bongzilla choosing to continue as a thunderous three-piece. During Bongzilla’s first tour as a thunderous three in March of 2020, the tour was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. A few months into the pandemic, Bongzilla began rehearsing and recording for several different record projects – A limited Wake Brewing 7 inch, a full length album titled Weedsconsin, an LP split with the band Tons, and a 7 Inch Split with Boris, the first of a 7 inch Split Series released on Gungeon Records.
Bongzilla announced signing to the Italian label – Heavy Psych Sounds on Janurary 21st of 2021. Bongzilla is preparing for the release of their new full length album Weedsconsin, as well as a limited 7 Inch from Wake Brewing, followed by the Bongzilla / Tons Split for the HPS series – Doom Sessions, as well as the 7 inch split with Boris on Gungeon Records.
Tons formed in 2009 with members of hardcore bands from the Turin scene (The Redrum, Lama Tematica and NoInfo). Slow and heavy sounds take the place of the frenetic HC rhythms; the texts speak about weed in an ironic way, but also about a certain tendency to esotericism that characterizes the city of Turin.
In 2010 they recorded a demo and in 2012 the first full length “Musineè Doom Session”, recorded by Danilo “Dano” Battocchio, was released for the Turin-based Escape From Today and for the Roman Heavy Psych Sounds. In 2013 a split with Lento from Rome came out and Tons began to plow the European venues, opening the stage for bands like Bongzilla, Unsane, Church of Misery, Napalm Death, Pentagram etc …..
In 2014 they were invited to play at the Duna Jam in Sardinia and at the Incubate Fest in Tillburg (NL). In 2015 the drummer Marco Dinocco left the band and was replaced by Andrea Peracchia (Dogs for Breakfast/Slaiver). Paolo Paganelli (Woptime/Linea77) was also added as a solo guitarist. In 2018 the second full length of the band “Filthy Flowers of Doom” was released for Heavy Psych Sounds Rec., which would bring Tons again around Europe in 2018 and in 2019.
Arena Vienna / small room / adv 20€ / doors 20.00h
Tickets:
tickets.arena.wien/at/Events/67582
roadtriptoouttaspace.com 