Mike Bon, an extraordinary guitar player and an eclectic musician has stepped into different realms of music. Hailing from various bands that play notes and rhythms that are commercial or just plain songs he would step up to the plate as if there was no tomorrow. Knowing his role and what he can do, he thought of isolating himself in the band industry and decided to go solo. Realizing the hardships of playing alone and no one to cling on during the “stormy Mondays”, at one point he felt and needed a crazy and an unorthodox man to hit those skins and pound “em sticks. By the struck of luck Rio Domingo came into the picture.

Rio Domingo was hanging out in a local university based cafe when he received a call asking for his talking hands to hamper on those skins. With Rio’s heart beating like samba, he didn’t decline the offer and brought his gear. At that time, Mike Bon was serenading the crowd and the first meeting of Mike and one of the members of “his BackBones” Rio that is, actually happened.

The natural course of time took place and Mike and Rio hiked the sweet and sour road of music.

But the sound wasn’t all that, they thought, we need a “bottom”, a guy that would tinker on his bass guitar to complete the acoustic feel. Little did they know that a guy by the name of Jonathan Catacutan was waiting in the wings.

Jonathan Catacutan was called upon by Mike to play at a party gig. The first attempt of three seasoned musicians to actually plug and play with minimal pieces upon their belts. But Jonathan played with ease and conviction, and the reason why the trio you know now as Mike Bon & his BackBones actually transpired.

What's with the name?

As the trio journeyed through the rough and rugged times of the industry at that time the flag they were bearing was the name Mike Bon. The reason being, obviously Mike is the workhorse of the trio. But as they progress the two (Rio and Jonathan) had something up their sleeves. To come up with a suiting name to bind them together as one, as they draw crowds to their feet comes the challenging part of branding them. A lot came into the scene, at first they were dubbed Mike Bon and The Zebras. Jonathan had this insane idea when looking upon the “zebra” inspired painted “Cajun” (percussion box) of Rio while playing at a pizza place in T. Morato in Quezon City. Cute it may seem, but for a moment it worked, but they thought otherwise they realized that their name does not fit their music. At that same place, they encountered a folk singer that is into his own belief and approach regarding religious issues and suggested that would mark another milestone in the music scene Mike Bon and The Sons of David. Rio always has been and is still the wisdom and conscience of the band thought they are not worthy of the name and it is quite in reality blasphemous. Rio in his idle time had a chance to catch a documentary video of Tower of Power and at that a thought balloon popped up in his head, thinking that bass and percussions/drums are the backbones of a band. Seeing the set up of this trio one handles the string and microphone, one does the bass; the other slaps those percussions. The dilemma regarding the name is done and over with it was the birth of Mike Bon & his BackBones.

Who are involved in this natural phenomenon?

“there is a natural mystique...” lyrics from Natural Mystique by: Bob Marley question is, who are the people responsible for this unexplainable feat...

Mike Bon	Band Leader Lead Vocals Lead/Rhythm guitars
the BaCKBoNeS:
Jonathan Catacutan	Bass guitar Lead/Backup Vocals
Rio Domingo	Percussions Chants/Noises
Bonn Laurena	Band Manager Session/occasional shaker

How do they describe their incomparable music?

That’s just the thing with Mike Bon & his Backbones, their unparalleled music; there are no words to exactly describe it. What they do is more that just packaged and canned music; it is an experience and an unforgettable one at that.

And the Saga continues...

Mike Bon has just recently signed a recording contract under Universal Records. He will be one of the featured artist in a compilation album that will be released by Universal Records sometime February 2004. The album is entitled "Akustik Natin 2". Included in the album are Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Jonathan Buencamino, Parokya ni Edgar, and many others...

You can also catch Mike Bon & his Backbones in various bars and restaurants. To date, they are busy arranging, composing and writing original compositions for their upcoming album...