J Bonner

INTRO
Jason Arellano Bonner (born September 27, 1979) is an American musician
best known for his work with revival reggae bands The Aggrolites, The
Black Emeralds, The Vessels, and Dub Street Rockers.

BIOGRAPHY

-Personal

Bonner was born in Oceanside, California, and resides in Los Angeles,
California.

-Musical History

     One of the first bands that J played in was the punk band Blue Collar
Crime in 1994 with good friend Jason Castillo. Bonner played guitar and
Castillo was lead vocalist. After the band split up, he and Castillo
formed The Lasthouse, a punk band that featured Bonner on lead vocals
and guitar, while Castillo moved to drums. The Lasthouse name refers to
the house that Jason Castillo lived in which was the very last house on
the street where the band rehearsed and later would be where many of J
Bonners productions would take place. They recruited Pat Kilkenny from
the Chino, California based punk rock band Turtle Soup to play second
guitar, and local friend Jeff Young to play Bass. Both bands never
released an album but did however record cassette tape demos. When The
Lasthouse disbanded in 1998, Bonner and Castillo started Dub Street
Rockers. A late 70's early 80's style reggae studio project. Castillo
played drums and Bonner played all the other instruments and was
producing the project. Dub Street Rockers released 'Soul Winner' in
2001 on Kingdom Beat Records and 'Zion Ready' with Asherman on vocals on Jump Up Records in 2002. In 2000, Bonner and Castillo joined The
Vessels, a reggae band influenced by 60's and 70's era Jamaican reggae.
With Castillo on drums and Bonner now on organ, they added piano player
Roger Rivas. Although many demo recordings exist, The Vessels never
released an album. The band did release one 45 rpm single produced by
Bonner, “Hot Gun” on Lawless Street Records in 2001. The flipside
featured the same rhythm track as 'Hot Gun' with the addition of a
Jamaican style toast supplied by Asherman. The band was also featured
on multiple compilations such as 'Smash Your Radio 2' (Jump Up), 'Global
Ska 3' (Kainos) in Spain, 'Still Standing' (Megalith), and Primosonic
Rhythms 2 (Rivercidal). During this time, Bonner, Rivas, and Castillo
were getting session work recording for Boston reggae producer and
Heartbeat Records A&R boss, Chris Wilson. Holding the sessions at
Signet Sound Studios (formerly Motown L.A.), the recordings were engineered by Brian Dixon, a Los Angeles recording engineer and ska/reggae guitar player from the bands See Spot and The Rhythm Doctors. The material recorded during those sessions were used for Everton Blenders 'King Man' album released in 2003. 'King Man' featured an allstar Jamaican cast such as Joseph Hill of Culture, deejay Scotty, trombonist Nambo, and
Dean Frazer on sax. Many recording sessions at Signet Sound, including
one for Brian Dixons dub side-project, 'King Terror', had J Bonner on
organ and Roger Rivas on piano, and one for Jamaican ska/reggae legend,
Derrick Morgan eventually lead to the formation of The Aggrolites, in
which Bonner moved to the bass guitar. In 2003 The Aggrolites recorded
the album 'Dirty Reggae' for the San Francisco label, Axe Records. The band
began touring heavily all over the U.S., Europe, Mexico and Canada.
'Dirty Reggae' caught the attention of Hellcat Records owner/Rancid
frontman Tim Armstrong who featured the albums title track on the
fourth installment of the popular Hellcat Records compilation, 'Give 'Em The
Boot IV' in 2004. The band later signed with Hellcat Records and
released two albums. The first 'The Aggrolites' and the second 'Reggae
Hit L.A.' (June 2007). The Aggrolites would also supply the backing
tracks to Tim Armstrongs solo album, 'A Poets Life' as well as backing
him live on stage at the 2007 KROQ Weenie Roast Y Fiesta.
Currently, J Bonner is producing material for his own Jandisc
label using The Black Emeralds as the house band. Working closely together with Heartbeat Records on releasing portions of the catalogue featuring pioneer singers and deejays from the legendary Studio One, Channel One, and GG’s stables. A project Bonner has
been working on since his days with The Vessels. In his spare time he dj’s in and around Los Angeles at various bars and clubs dipping into his vast reggae 45 collection.

Musical Influences: The Clash, Sound Dimension, The Upsetters, Roots Radics, etc…

Collaborations (in studio): Trinity, Dave Barker, Everton Blender, Nambo, Dean Frazer, Scotty, Joseph Hill (Culture), Skully, Tim Armstrong, Cypress Hill, DJ Muggs, Alkaline Trio, The Dingees, King Terror, DJ Odi, Belinda "Bibi" McGill, Daphna Dove, Ritchie Stitches, Skye Sweetnam, Hunter Perrin, King Django, Lino Trujillo, Dave Fuentes, Sangie Davis.

Collaborations (on stage): Prince Buster, Derrick Morgan, Tim Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen, Skye Sweetnam, Half Pint, Roy Ellis, Dub Cat, Vic Ruggiero

Side Projects: The Black Emeralds, The Scorchers, Rhygin Rockers, Dub Street Rockers, The Vessels.

Endorsments: Ernie Ball/Musicman

Discography:

The Aggrolites-

"Black Lung/Rocket Punch" 7” Single. (U.S.) 2003 Axe Records. AXE-45001
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass)

"Dirty Reggae" CD. (U.S.) 2003 Axe Records. Axe-CD001
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass)

"Dirty Reggae" LP. (U.S.) 2004 Axe Records. Axe-LP001
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass)

"Dirty Reggae" Give 'Em The Boot 4 Comp. (U.S.) 2004 Hellcat Records. 80458-2
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass/Background Vocals)

"Black Lung" Primosonic Rhythms 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Rivercidal Syndicate Records. RSR700-105
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass)

"The Destroyer" Primosonic Rhythms 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Rivercidal Syndicate Records. RSR700-105
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass)

"Aggro 18" Let's Skank Vol.4 Comp. (France) 2005 Patate/Belleville International. PRP020
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass)

"Funky Fire" Give 'Em The Boot 5 Comp. (U.S.) 2006 Hellcat Records. #?
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass/Background Vocals)

"The Aggrolites s/t" CD. (U.S.) 2006 Hellcat Records. #?
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass/Background Vocals)

"The Aggrolites s/t" LP. (U.S.) 2006 ??
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Bass/Background Vocals)

"Jimmy Jack" The Lock Up, BBC Session. (U.K.) 2005 BBC Radio 1
Recorded at BBC (Maida Vale, UK)
(Bass)

"Don’t Let Me Down" The Lock Up, BBC Session. (U.K.) 2005 BBC Radio 1
Recorded at BBC (Maida Vale, UK)
(Bass)

"Burning Bush" The Lock Up, BBC Session. (U.K.) 2005 BBC Radio 1
Recorded at BBC (Maida Vale, UK)
(Bass)

"Lunar Eclipse" The Lock Up, BBC Session. (U.K.) 2005 BBC Radio 1
Recorded at BBC (Maida Vale, UK)
(Bass)

"Reggae Hit L.A." CD. (U.S.) 2007 Hellcat Records 80497-2
Recorded at Kingsize Sound Labs (L.A.)
(Bass/Background Vocals/Percussion)

Tim Armstrong-

"A Poets Life" CD. (U.S) 2007 Hellcat Records 80491-2
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios, Bloodclot Studios (L.A.)
(Bass)
Alkaline Trio-

“Hell Yes/Burn (Tim Armstrong Remix)” 7” Single. (U.K.) 2007 Vagrant Records VRUK046S
(Bass on “Burn”)

The Black Emeralds-

"Brother Bamboo" Digital Single. 2007 Jandisc Records
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Organ/Bass)

"Kinlock Reggae" Digital Single. 2007 Jandisc Records
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Organ)

The Vessels-

"Tall In The Saddle" Smash Your Radio 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2000 Jump Up Records. JUMP039
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Organ)

"The Evidence/Hot Gun" 7” Single. (U.S.) 2002 Lawless Street Records. LS-4501-02
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer,Organ)

"Kick A Buck" Global Ska 3 Comp. (Spain) 2003 Kainos Producciones S.L. CDK 1001 NV
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Organ)

"Kick A Buck" Still Standing Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Jump Up/Megalith Records. JUMPMEG050
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Organ)

"Money Man" Primosonic Rhythms 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Rivercidal Syndicate Records. RSR700-105
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Organ)

"The Love You Need" Primosonic Rhythms 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Rivercidal Syndicate Records. RSR700-105
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Organ)

Dub Street Rockers-

"The Lion" Smash Your Radio 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2000 Jump Up Records. JUMP039
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Organ)

"Soul Winner" CD. (U.S.) 2000 Kingdom Beat Recordings. KBR002
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Bass/Organ/Piano/Melodica/Percussion/Vocals/Clavinet)

"Zion Ready, Asherman meets The Dub Street Rockers" CD. (U.S.) 2002 Jump Up Records. JUMP048
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Bass/Guitars/Piano/Organ/Percussion)

"Joshua" Primosonic Rhythms 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Rivercidal Syndicate Records. RSR700-105
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Organ/Guitars/Piano)

"Keep Steady" feat. Asherman. Still Standing Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Jump Up/Megalith Records. JUMPMEG050
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Bass/Guitars/Piano/Organ/Percussion)

The Scorchers-

"Memphis Rock" Primosonic Rhythms 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Rivercidal Syndicate Records. RSR700-105
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Organ)

"Clean Sweep" Still Standing Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Jump Up/Megalith Records. JUMPMEG050
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Bass/Guitars/Piano/Organ)

King Terror-

"Fuad Ramseys/Dracula Meets Billy The Kid" 7” Single (U.S.) 2003 Axe Records. AXE-45002
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Organ)

"The Wizard Of Gore" Let's Skank Vol.4 Comp. (France) 2005 Patate/Belleville International. PRP020
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Organ)

"Dracula Meets Billy The Kid" Primosonic Rhythms 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Rivercidal Syndicate Records. RSR700
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Organ)

"The Blood Feast" Primosonic Rhythms 2 Comp. (U.S.) 2005 Rivercidal Syndicate Records. RSR700-105
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.)
(Organ)

Rhygin Rockers-

"Father Spider/Spooky" 7” Single. (U.S.) 2004 Rhygin Records. R45-002A/B
Recorded at The Lasthouse (R.C)
(Producer/Organ/Bass/Guitars/Piano/Percussion)

Everton Blender-

"King Man" CD. (U.S.) 2003 Heartbeat Records. 11661-7758-2
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.), Studio One (J.A.)
(Organ)

"King Man" LP. (U.S.) 2003 Heartbeat Records. 11661-7758-1
Recorded at Signet Sound Studios (L.A.), Studio One (J.A.)
(Organ)

The Dingees-

"Crucial Conspiracy" CD. (U.S.) Year? Tooth And Nail Records. #?
(Organ)