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Bumtech

Innovative solutions for avoiding responsibility.

About Me


Jonn Walterscheid and Sharon Schloss had been making music for almost their whole lives before Bumtech became official in 2005. With the goal of taking their artistic expressions and musical skills and turning them into accessible alternative pop music, they focused all of their energy on writing for the first year and recording demos at home. Then, in late 2006, Bumtech began playing live shows in Portland, Oregon, where both members have lived since 2001.
Before Bumtech, Jonn played his guitar with an obsessive passion starting in high school, and made hours and hours of 4 track recordings. These recordings were heavily influenced by Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett, Jimi Hendrix, The Velvet Underground, and Ween. Sharon started playing classical piano at the age of seven, and as a teenager picked up guitar and began her own writing, influenced also by Pink Floyd as well as Neil Young and Tori Amos. She played bass in the Los Angeles hard rock band, Third Grade Teacher in the late 90s, and gradually turned more to her writing again, having become increasingly influenced by the New Wave sounds of the 80s. By the time Jonn and Sharon met, they were both obsessed with alternative New Wave bands like Orchestral Manouevers in the Dark, Depeche Mode, and Simple Minds. They had also found a lot of influence in bands on the 4AD label, especially Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance. It was a love if this music, and The Legendary Pink Dots, that steered the band in the direction of a drum machine rather than a live drummer.
The road to the recording studio for their debut LP began with the band meeting Danny D of the well-loved 1980s Portland garage band, The Miracle Workers. He heard Bumtech playing at Alberta Street's "The Know" and promptly pulled Jonn and Sharon outside with enthusiastic ideas for Bumtech's future. He had a lot of advice for Bumtech, and eventually got them in touch with their producer, Sean Flora. During the summer and fall of 2007, Bumtech recorded and mixed their debut album, Beware of D-G. The album has the feel of a solid classic rock record, with one song moving smoothly to the next, like the unfolding of a story. There is a mixture of humor and emotion in the lyrics, a love of life mixed with a sardonic approach to the mundane. The music has an alternative and pop sound at the same time, and seamlessly meshes the digital with the analog.
By now, Bumtech has a lot of touring under their belts, having played shows in Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho, and receiving college radio play nationwide and in the UK. There are a lot more tours on the way, and Bumtech is moving steadily along toward their second LP.
Click here to buy our CD
Our music is also available for download on iTunes and most major music download sites.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/10/2006
Band Website: tofuton.com
Band Members: Sharon Schloss - bass, vocals, keyboards, programming

Jonn Walterscheid - guitar, vocals, programming

Influences: The Beatles, Cocteau Twins, Nirvana, Legendary Pink Dots, The Smiths, Jamiroquai, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, Dead Can Dance, Love and Rockets, Tones on Tails, Tom Waits, Pink Floyd
Sounds Like: Nirvana meets Wang-Chung,

"...Bumtech have created a following that stretches far and wide from their Rose City home, riding college radio like the rails to spread the word of their loop-happy but guitar-driven sound that’s as reminiscent of the past as it is the future. While Bumtech could have flourished during the ’80s, they’ve more than a cheeky retro appeal going for them. Bumtech doesn’t feel rehashed; they feel fresh but familiar, which isn’t easy to do...
Tracks like “Scrotessa Weanis in the Workplace” and “Got Yer Nose” display an equal balance of artistic vision and playfulness — one that can’t help but make the listener take a mental load off and enjoy Bumtech’s outlook. "

-The Weekly Volcano, Tacoma
"Like the musical equivalent of a Wes Anderson film, they achieve the delicate balance of the outright geeky and uber-hip that makes them utterly appealing... This band is just what you need to beat those winter days when it’s so cold you’re contemplating pepper-spraying yourself just to stay warm. They are cute, clever, funny and they are slightly more legal than stealing your mom’s Prozac. We dare you to go to a show and not smile. Seriously. We fucking dare you."

-The Rearguard, Portland
"...instead of doing something as stupid as not having a bass player, one plays guitar and sings, one plays bass/keyboards and sings, and they have a continuous beat playing as their drums. This is far more balanced to listen to and replaces my faith in the duo backed bands of the word... Bumtech has a strong electro-natured rock presence that I can respect and they are a hell of a lot better than any other 2 piece band."

-Skyline Press
"...such sonic ambition and creativity is to be applauded."

-Dryvetyme Onlyne
"After several weeks of slacking off summoning Tragically Unheard Of bands, I stumbled upon Portland new wave sensation, Bumtech... they create a spacey atmosphere embracing both new wave sonic canopies with intricate guitar centric compositions. Each song’s sonic seriousness is juxtaposed with quirky satirical accounts of the monotony of everyday life."

-Gaycondo
"Both Jonn and Sharon take turns on the lead vocals throughout the album and each add a unique feel to the songs... Both vocals do the trick for the songs they cover the leads on and it's safe to say that they honed in on what sound they were looking for and mastered it... this album is perfect for those fans that dig the new wave sounds of the 80's. This reminds me of something I should be hearing on the High Fidelity soundtrack."

-Guestlist Magazine

Record Label: self
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

Fox News NY - Bumtechs 2 Cents

Bumtech weighs in on how rising gas prices are affecting independent touring bands, on Fox News NY. www.myfoxny.com /a>...
Posted by Bumtech on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:44:00 PST

Album Review on Guestlist

Bumtech's been reviewed on The Guestlist! http://www.guestlistmagazine.net/reviewsb ...
Posted by Bumtech on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:08:00 PST

Interview on Gaycondo

Bumtech has been interviewed for Gaycondo.. http://gaycondo.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/keep-it-on-the-brow nlowe-bumtechtragically-unheard-of/ The whole blog is full of the fun and wisdom of Portland&rsq...
Posted by Bumtech on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:46:00 PST

SquareOne Album of the Week!

Beware of D-G is SquareOne’s album of the week!  SquareOne is a new journalist-run blog out of Edinburgh, Scotland. "Yet another slice of bizarre tuneage from the crazy musical carniva...
Posted by Bumtech on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:08:00 PST

More Radio News From the UK

Here's some news from Radio Cabin in Herne Bay, UK.  DJ Joe 90 is adding Bumtech to his regular rotation on his program, Nitetime Superstars, which can be heard online by clicking here: The prog...
Posted by Bumtech on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:31:00 PST

Someone in Tacoma Likes Us..

Check it out...a great write up in The Weekly Volcano in Tacoma, WA. http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/2008-03-05/music-main/1900/ ...
Posted by Bumtech on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:48:00 PST

First Radio Charting in Seattle

We got our first confirmed charting at Seattle's KSPU last week.  Our cd came in at number 20.  We've had spins around the country, and we're thankful for the great support from college radi...
Posted by Bumtech on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:09:00 PST

KUFO Podcast w/ Bumtech

Last night our song 'Got Yer Nose' was played on KUFO's local spotlight show, Viva la Luna.  You can download a podcast of the show, hosted by Lisa Wood, to hear ourselves and many other terrific...
Posted by Bumtech on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:17:00 PST

Guard Your Rear!!

Rebekah Hunt wrote a glowing write up of Bumtech in this month's PSU's Rearguard.  Take a look.. ...
Posted by Bumtech on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:52:00 PST

Live KPSU Show

In case you missed it, you can check out our live KPSU performance and interview from this past Friday at KPSU's website: http://archive.kpsu.org/node/8375 Our set starts around 21 minutes into the ho...
Posted by Bumtech on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 08:43:00 PST