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Copyright - The Bonoffs 2010
The bonoffs are all about enjoying life. As keyboard and vocalist Janson Lohmeyer is fond of
saying, "We just want to have fun." Today, the bonoffs are diverse. We include Brandon Miller, the
gumbo-loving gym rat, Alison Corbin Stegall, the perpetually-smiling Rocky Horror Picture Show
fanatic, and Janson Lohmeyer, lover of the sun and 80's music. We project high energy with a
pumping accordion and rhythmic washboard. The driving, upbeat music grabs you as soon as you
hear it, and you'll soon find yourself tapping your toes and shaking your butt.
The bonoffs came into being in 2001, when founding members Janson and Rhonda Lohmeyer, Susan Cowsill, and Russ Broussard went for a beer at Molly's on Toulouse Street, in the heart of the French Quarter, after an impromptu gig at the Old Opera House. They became a band and recorded Crescent City, a compilation of Cajun standards, New Orleans favorites, and original material. The band became a permanent fixture at the Old Opera House at the center of the Bourbon Street strip.
Rhonda, Russ and Susan all departed the band in 2004 to pursue other opportunities and have further adventures. Janson stayed at the Opera House with a series of musicians who kept the party going.
On August 27th, 2005 Alison Corbin Stegall found her way into the bonoffs. After a stint waitressing at Krazy Korner and playing washboard with The Jimmy Thibodeax Band, Alison played one gig with the bonoffs before Hurricane Katrina blew through New Orleans.
The resultant devastation forced the band into a hiatus; they only played one gig in two months. "We were uncertain of the future of the city, the future of our career, the future of the band," says Janson.
When the band got the call to go back to work at the Old Opera house, it was like winning the emotional lottery. The bonoffs were one of the first bands back on Bourbon Street after the storm, and it was a highlight for the band. "Entertaining the people who are giving themselves to the task of revitalizing the city and putting a smile on their faces made us feel like we were part of the rebuilding community. It touched us to be a part of that, " says Alison.
Katrina took its toll, and after working for a while the band took another hiatus, this time for 8 months. Missing music, needing money and feeling refreshed, the band regrouped and headed back to work with a new lineup: Janson's longtime friend, accordion player Brandon Miller, Janson, Alison, guitar player Steve Phillips and drummer Kevin Minor.
Four steady years of constant gigging followed. The band attended a B-52's concert, where they heard a song called "Pump," which they liked so much that they cover it in their show. After hearing the song they were vocally and musically inspired to start writing original material. For a year and a half they wrote and began performing their own compositions. During this time guitar player and longtime bonoff member Steve Phillips passed away at the age of 52 due to pancreatic cancer. Missing his spirit and talent, and realizing that he was irreplaceable, the bonoffs decided to go on without a guitar player. Drummer Kevin Minor left to pursue his rock and country roots. The band continues as a three piece, backed up by Trey Landry on drums.
With the help of friends Waylon Thibodeaux, Brian Brignac, and Trey Landry, the bonoffs have recently completed their first original record, Disco Zydeco, which was mixed by Grammy-award winner Tony Daigle.
The bonoffs are still rocking the Opera House with three or four shows a day. "We try to keep it fresh, we cut out all of the love songs, and brought in some new goofy/funny songs," Janson says. "It's all about fun, throwing your stress in the garbage can, and of course, the tip jar," laughs Janson.
Brandon and Janson were born to sing together, with harmonies on nearly every song. Alison's vocal approach and washboard playing is exciting and entertaining. Brandon has been dubbed the Jimi Hendrix of accordion, with Janson's clean New Orleans piano style smoothing it all out.
"We are influenced by so many different kinds of music, it's like going to a virtual music festival, but on stage," says Brandon, "and the outcome is something unique and original." The bonoffs love what they do and look forward to a future of fun fun fun! Wish us luck!
The bonoffs came into being in 2001, when founding members Janson and Rhonda Lohmeyer, Susan Cowsill, and Russ Broussard went for a beer at Molly's on Toulouse Street, in the heart of the French Quarter, after an impromptu gig at the Old Opera House. They became a band and recorded Crescent City, a compilation of Cajun standards, New Orleans favorites, and original material. The band became a permanent fixture at the Old Opera House at the center of the Bourbon Street strip.
Rhonda, Russ and Susan all departed the band in 2004 to pursue other opportunities and have further adventures. Janson stayed at the Opera House with a series of musicians who kept the party going.
On August 27th, 2005 Alison Corbin Stegall found her way into the bonoffs. After a stint waitressing at Krazy Korner and playing washboard with The Jimmy Thibodeax Band, Alison played one gig with the bonoffs before Hurricane Katrina blew through New Orleans.
The resultant devastation forced the band into a hiatus; they only played one gig in two months. "We were uncertain of the future of the city, the future of our career, the future of the band," says Janson.
When the band got the call to go back to work at the Old Opera house, it was like winning the emotional lottery. The bonoffs were one of the first bands back on Bourbon Street after the storm, and it was a highlight for the band. "Entertaining the people who are giving themselves to the task of revitalizing the city and putting a smile on their faces made us feel like we were part of the rebuilding community. It touched us to be a part of that, " says Alison.
Katrina took its toll, and after working for a while the band took another hiatus, this time for 8 months. Missing music, needing money and feeling refreshed, the band regrouped and headed back to work with a new lineup: Janson's longtime friend, accordion player Brandon Miller, Janson, Alison, guitar player Steve Phillips and drummer Kevin Minor.
Four steady years of constant gigging followed. The band attended a B-52's concert, where they heard a song called "Pump," which they liked so much that they cover it in their show. After hearing the song they were vocally and musically inspired to start writing original material. For a year and a half they wrote and began performing their own compositions. During this time guitar player and longtime bonoff member Steve Phillips passed away at the age of 52 due to pancreatic cancer. Missing his spirit and talent, and realizing that he was irreplaceable, the bonoffs decided to go on without a guitar player. Drummer Kevin Minor left to pursue his rock and country roots. The band continues as a three piece, backed up by Trey Landry on drums.
With the help of friends Waylon Thibodeaux, Brian Brignac, and Trey Landry, the bonoffs have recently completed their first original record, Disco Zydeco, which was mixed by Grammy-award winner Tony Daigle.
The bonoffs are still rocking the Opera House with three or four shows a day. "We try to keep it fresh, we cut out all of the love songs, and brought in some new goofy/funny songs," Janson says. "It's all about fun, throwing your stress in the garbage can, and of course, the tip jar," laughs Janson.
Brandon and Janson were born to sing together, with harmonies on nearly every song. Alison's vocal approach and washboard playing is exciting and entertaining. Brandon has been dubbed the Jimi Hendrix of accordion, with Janson's clean New Orleans piano style smoothing it all out.
"We are influenced by so many different kinds of music, it's like going to a virtual music festival, but on stage," says Brandon, "and the outcome is something unique and original." The bonoffs love what they do and look forward to a future of fun fun fun! Wish us luck!
Guest Musicians
Trey Landry has been playing drums for the
bonoffs since the week of Mardi Gras in
February 2010. In 2005 Trey signed a major
record deal with Dreamworks and the band
Hot Apple Pie. Their single, "Hillbillies" reached
the charts at #26. Trey has recorded and
played with Suzy Boggus, Rodney Crowell,
Wayne Toups, and Delbert McClinton.