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Local 'scratcher' itching for fame
By RICHARD FREEDMAN, Times-Herald staff writer It's not the Grammys, but Walter Boncato's not about to diminish the significance of his alternative hip-hop band, Zonk, beating out about 500 bands to win Music For America's download contest earlier this week.
"It's a very big deal," said the 32-year-old Vallejoan. "We're excited."
The 90-day online competition tracked those who downloaded the band's song and "unique listens," charting those who register on the site. In the end, Zonk emerged with 4,245 downloads to 3,545 for second-place Kieran Ridge Band.
"The cool thing is, we went up against so many bands," Boncato said. "Though I believe in our music, I didn't think we'd get close to winning."
Boncato, a Vallejo High School graduate and former volleyball coach at the school, joined the 6-year-old band about three years ago as its scratch DJ/mixologist, a talent he honed at Solano Junior High School playing garage parties.
"I think music is in my blood," Boncato said. "I don't think I'll ever stop doing it. Hopefully, the Zonk project will fulfill our rock star dreams."
Zonk heard about the Music For America contest through a friend, Boncato said.
"We posted our bio, put our songs online and the visitors came out," Boncato said. "It would have been no big deal if we lost. The great thing is, the Music For America people have taken a big interest in our music. It's very cutting-edge."
The contest victory earned Zonk an upcoming trip to Los Angeles followed by a journey to Georgia.
Though the band rehearses at Boncato's home, "we've never played in Vallejo," he said. "You have to take it outside. Hopefully, this will start to make a change in the Bay Area."
Boncato hoped Zonk can do for Vallejo what Papa Roach has done for Vacaville.
"I'm always trying to represent Vallejo in a positive way," Boncato said.
Boncato, a.k.a "DJ Red 5," praised the efforts of his colleagues, including lead vocalist Nicole McFiendish and her husband-guitarist-keyboardist Dave L., and guitarist-bassist-harmonica player Bergen "Uncle Bergie" Moore of Napa.
"This is the year everybody's going to start breaking out," Boncato said. "Hopefully, we'll create a stir with our music. There's a lot of interest. I'm getting a ton of phone calls."
Small labels are scrutinizing Zonk, said Boncato. "Hopefully, it'll put us on a level where we can represent the Bay Area and take it to a big recording contract."
Having business representation could be next on the horizon, Boncato said.
"We don't have a manager yet," he said. "We've been focusing on the music."
When Boncato isn't scratching, he's rubbing bodies as a professional massage therapist working with a local chiropractor.
It's all about the magic fingers.
"I'm working with my hands on people, helping their lives get better," he said of his therapy job. "And I'm helping people through the music."
Zonk's next live performance is Feb. 21 at the Last Day Saloon in San Francisco. Until then, it's weekly rehearsals in Vallejo.
"I have a dream," Boncato said, failing to squelch a laugh. "And I hope the whole world sees it."
Music For America is a nonprofit political organization that urges voters to participate in the 2004 elections. Through live concerts and an interactive Web site, the organization connects culture and politics.
For more information on the download contest, visit Music for America or ZONKaholics.com.