b A S i c e l e m e n t s
The greatest ‘80s band you've never heard of…
Vocals / John Denis
Synths / Jonathan Goldman
Bass / William Preston Bowling
Drums / Dan Konopka
Guitars / Gene Micofsky
our story
Basic Elements is the greatest 80’s band you've never heard of — but for those who grew up in Phoenix, AZ between 1984 and 1990 with a penchant for new wave music and Aquanet… they were legends.
Produced by Ed Buller (Suede, Pulp, Psychedelic Furs) Basic Elements isn’t some ‘80s throwback band - they are an ‘80s band.
A cross between Simple Minds and Tears for Fears, B.E. made a name for themselves in the unheralded 1980s AZ music scene playing alongside local legends like Gin Blossoms, Gentlemen After Dark, Caterwaul, Undertow, Radio Architecture and Ditché (to name just a few). They also opened up for touring ‘80s acts like The Bolshoi and Gene Loves Jezebel, all while maintaining an average age of just 17-years old.
While most high-schoolers were going to homecoming, the guys in B.E. spent their weekends writing songs and playing gigs in Valley bars like Mason Jar, Sun Club and Edsel’s Attic as well as the Arizona State Fair and the backyard of any teenager whose parents were out of town. Alas, after 6 years, B.E. disbanded in 1990 — well before any of them were old enough to legally enter a bar.
Over the past 30 years, members of Basic Elements have moved on to become a sculptor, a TV producer, a real-estate agent, a video-game attorney and a graphic artist. Despite their individual successes, the band’s legacy has been confined to still photos, warped cassettes and faded memories, until now.
After playing a reunion show in 2019 to a capacity crowd at the legendary Mint in Los Angeles, Basic Elements went into the fabled Glenwood Place Studios to record five of their earliest tracks with Mercury Prize-winning producer (and synth legend) Ed Buller.
Written in the ‘80s. Recorded today. Basic Elements is a project 35 years in the making and the result is a mainline hit of pure, uncut 1985. Their music mends the gap between Gen-X and Gen-Z by providing a euphoric mix of nostalgia and an exciting sense of discovery for people of all ages.
Basic Elements is in regular rotation on 93.9/99.5 KWSS FM (Arizona’s top alternative station) and featured on Sirius XM. The band has also been highlighted in the LA Weekly, Phoenix New Times, Post-Punk.com and appeared as guests on the Rolling Stone ranked podcast, “The Watt from Pedro Show,” hosted by Minutemen bass player, Mike Watt. Internationally, B.E. found new fans on the Twitch stream hosted by Minneapolis DJ, Jake Rudh, and Slicing Up Eyeballs mastermind, Matt Sebastian, which pulls lively and discerning virtual crowds known as “Manatees.”
Currently fronted by founding members, John Denis (vocals), Jonathan Goldman (synths) and William Bowling (bass), Basic Elements features drummer, Dan Konopka (OKGo) and guitarist, Gene Micofsky.
In a time where contemporary artists strive for that '80s sound, Basic Elements is the real deal.
Thanks for visiting. If you’ve made it this far and want to see the movie of our origin: click here… and Hide from your leader.
BREAKING NEWS
OFFICAL SHAKIN’ MUSIC VIDEO!
Directed by VMA winner, Chris Applebaum (Rihanna, Britney, Fountains of Wayne, The Struts) our first official video is an homage to “The Breakfast Club” and good, old-fashioned teenage rebellion, starring none other than our own kids.
Watch it in the link below…
AZ HOMECOMING SHOW!
It was our honor to be the featured artist at the 2023 Spring Fundraiser for listener supported 93.9/99.5 KWSS FM. The DJs there put our music in regular rotation from Day 1 so it was our privilege to support them for a change. The one night event raised a week’s worth of fundraising.
Read the kind words about our visit below…
the watt from pedro show!
When a legendary bass player invites you to be on his show, which Rolling Stone calls one of the best music podcasts out there, you oblige.
When he says he digs your music, you try to keep your cool and just say, “Thank you.”
Check out the podcast below.
PRESS
LA WEEKLY FEATURE
The LA Weekly premiered the lyric video for our 2nd single,
”New You” and featured an article written by our synth player, Jonathan Goldman.
Check out his piece about the greatest concert he’s ever seen… and why it was Public Enemy.
POST-PUNK ONLINE VIDEO PREMIERE
The good lads and new wave custodians over at Post-Punk Online were the first ones to share the lyric video for our song, “Lucky” by graphic artist, Ben Exler. They had some nice things to say and it’s always great to see our target demo “get” what we do. Don’t believe us? See what they had to say below…
PHOENIX NEW TIMES FEATURE
“…it has an authenticity that current bands inspired by the ‘80s New Wave can only strive for today.”
- Tom Reardon, Phoenix New Times.
Back in the day New Times was our cultural bible, so we are honored and thrilled to have Tom Reardon sharing some of our story in the hometown weekly.
Old News
“FAREWELL” BUT NOT “GOOD-BYE”
The band with the brilliant Ed Buller in the legendary Glenwood Place Studios. We’re going to miss this guy as he returns to the UK to record the latest album by Suede — wishing him (and them) all the best. Can’t wait to hear what they cook up and we can’t wait to share our collaboration with this incredible artist.
FENDER ENDORSEMENT
BASIC ELEMENTS is proud to announce our relationship with Fender. Thank you for giving us the pro gear we needed for our reunion gig at The Mint.
B.E. will continue the traditions and quality performances expected of any Fender artist.
THE TIFFANY INCIDENT
While we are not proud of this, Basic Elements inadvertently made ‘80s teen pop sensation, Tiffany, cry. Read about the Culinary Concert that led to a brief insurrection by the student body. It all worked out in the end… but consider this our formal apology.
ARCHIVAL RABBIT HOLE | 1984-1991 | GREATER PHX AREA
We are not responsible for any embarrassing photos you may encounter.
For anthropological use only.