BONAFIDE
was formed by singer/guitarist (and awesome drummer for Jason
& The Scorchers) Pontus Snibb and rock solid bassplayer
Michael Nilsson in Malmö, southern Sweden, in 2006. Pontus,
who had already made quite a name for himself playing with countless
well known artists on the Scandinavian blues and rock scene,
wanted to broaden his musical horizon by turning the volume
to 11 and play hard rock the way it..s supposed to be played
- True to it´s roots in the electric blues and early R´n´B.
Enter Mikael Fässberg, guitarist (Paul DiAnno, ex Nazareth
guitarist Manny Charlton etc etc) and Sticky Bomb, drummer with
an attitude, and the quartet was complete.
October
2007 BONAFIDE released their cult classic debut, simply titled
"Bonafide". And immediately they became quite busy
playing the Scandinavian club and festival circuit, and supporting
bands such as Mustasch, Deep Purple, Status Quo, Y&T, LA
Guns, The Quireboys and countless of others in arenas and theaters.
In
January 2009 BONAFIDE locked themselves into Musicamatic studios
(Soundtrack of our Lives, DAD) in Gothenburg, Sweden with acclaimed
producer / Sator guitarist Chips Kiesbye (The Hellacopters,
The Nomads, Millencollin, Dozer) and began to record their second
full length album, titled "Something´s dripping",
released world wide through Black Lodge Records. When released
it was BONAFIDE´s first properly distributed release outside
of Scandinavia. The album raced to No 16 in the National Swedish
Album chart, beating both Megadeth and Ace Frehley with whom
they shared release date!
As
always BONAFIDE delivers blues and R´n´B based full
throttle rock´n´roll, No holds barred. Chips Kiesbye
has added his brilliant production skills to the formula, and
you seldom hear guitars this beefy or vocals with this much
pure attitude and bravado. Main songwriter and front man extraordinarie,
Pontus Snibb shares writing credits with fellow guitarist Mikael
Fässberg on two of the album´s 11 tracks. This, plus
the fact that the whole group nowdays contributes to the creative
process, has added a new dimension and a slightly different
angle to BONAFIDE´s simplistic, yet innovative and fresh
take on classic hard rock. Mia Coldheart of Swedish metal queen´s
Crucified Barbara also appear on the album, in the duet "Straight
Shooters".
In
November 2009 BONAFIDE embarked on a six week, nine country,
35 + shows long tour of Europe in support of the new album,
that saw the band play clubs and theater style venues to great
response. Plans for 2010 include an autumn European tour (Spain
was revisited in March 2010 due to audience demand and massive
radio and media promotion), as well as releasing a second single
from "Somethings Dripping". Prior to the Spanish shows
it was clear that Sticky had other priorities, and BONAFIDE
and Sticky went their separate ways. Enter Niklas Matsson, hard
hitting drummer with Stockholm´s Backdraft and American
act Raging Slab, and the quartet is once again complete and
hungrier than ever!
Some
words from the critics:
"If
the opening track Dirt Bound doesnt knock
you down on the first play, the following cut, Hard Livin
Man will certainly deliver that one-two punch...This is
the type of music that will make you want to crack open a cold
one, and enjoy your weekend! Recommended!"
Hard Rock Hideout - Austin, Texas (US)
"Something's
Dripping sounds huge and deserves to be huge. If AC/DC is sounding
a bit stale to you these days then Bonafide is the perfect remedy.
This is pure 100% crotch driven hard rock, and a must have for
anyone that enjoys simplistic perfection. The definition of
bona fide is authentic and genuine, judging by this release
these guys couldn't have come up with a better name! "
Sleazeroxx, Manitoba (CA)
"Look,
do yourself a favour right now; crack open a cold beer, plug
in the air guitar and rock out with 'Dog', 'Straight Shooters'
and the gung ho chorus of 'Hard Livin Man' like your life depended
on it! To wrap this review up, it would be easy to do the clichéd
routine and make a play on of the band's moniker but I'm not
that predictable...oh fuck it, yes I am... 'Something's Dripping'
is a Bonafide fist pumping, ass kicking, jaw-dropping monster
of an album and, in the words of the band themselves, crank
up the stereo and 'Fill Your Head With Rock'.....NOW !!!!!"
Uberrock, London (UK)
"Sweet
production helps this album shine, a bright light in a shitty
rock n roll tunnel. Think AC/CD and the Cult, and I think
youre about right. They have wicked hooks, strong riffs,
and a singer who has the attitude to match. The opening track,
Dirt Bound, sets up the album as a truckers
anthem disc, something to hit the highway to. Just try to stay
the speed limit, I dare you. Hard Livin Man
follows, and keeps it going and going, but what classic rock
(sounding) album is complete without a slower song roughly in
the middle? Elvis Chapel Blues fills this requisite,
but its not even all that slow.
Basically from start to finish Bonafides Somethings
Dripping doesnt let up. Its an ass kicker!"
Funeral Rain (US)
Metal Hammer Magazine: 6 OUT OF 6
Rock
Hard Magazine: 8 OUT OF 10
Sweden
Rock Magazine: 8 OUT OF 10