Bonafide is a Canadian band based out of Quadra Island / Campbell River, BC. Bonafide’s music has been described as “a fusion of Rock, Funk, Metal, Reggae, Ska, Hip-Hop, and Punk”. In 1995 Bonafide was formed on Quadra Island, BC by Paul Dowler (vocals), Nick Richardson (bass), Joe Skogan (guitar), Tom Skillman (drums). In 1997 they independently released the studio album “Coming Down the Tunnel”. Later that year the members of Bonafide moved to Vancouver, BC. Skillman left the band shortly after. From 1997 to 1999 the band had three drummers: Mike Meurin, Bina Berger, and a guy named Chris. Bonafide officially broke up in 1999. On May 1^st, 2004, Joe Skogan went missing after being involved in a fight at a party on Quadra Island. Nearly three years later, on April 9^th, 2007, his remains were found. Police ruled out foul play as cause of death. On September 8^th, 2008, the surviving members of Bonafide performed at a concert on Quadra Island with Mother Mother. Long-time friend, Ryan Guldemond, played guitar in place of Joe Skogan. The performance was considered an unofficial tribute to Joe’s life and work as a musician. Bonafide never played again until 2017 when the surviving members decided to reform the band with guitarist Scott Heatley. They are currently performing live gigs and writing new material.

History

Bonafide was formed on Quadra Island, BC in 1995. Joe Skogan, Nick Richardson, and Paul Dowler, all childhood friends, joined with Ontario import Tom Skillman to form the original line up. The group practiced in Skillman’s home studio, a converted woodshed, where they worked on what they referred to as the “island sound”. They became well known for their energetic live performances. Upon returning from a “difficult” tour that took them to Banff, Alberta, Bonafide began recording their first studio album. Recording began in Temanos Studios in Vancouver; however, most the project was done in The Woodshed on Quadra Island. In the Fall of 1997 they independently released “Coming Down the Tunnel”.

Shortly after the release of “Coming Down the Tunnel” the members of Bonafide relocated to Vancouver, BC, to grow exposure for the band in hopes of becoming a world-wide success. A lack of financial security made the transfer challenging and, in fact, for a short time they were forced to live out of Richardson’s van.  Skillman, a new father at the time, was forced to drop out and return to Quadra to support his family.

Richardson, and Dowler continued to write and play as Bonafide. Several different drummers were to join the band over the years, including: Mike Meurin, Bina Berger, and A Guy Named Chris. The band was also joined by a turntablist named DJ D-Caf in 1998. Bonafide officially broke up in 1999.

In April of 2004 the members of Bonafide met at Skillman’s Woodshed and collaborated on a tune called “Gettin’ Kinda Sweaty” that they submitted to a Song Fight competition. The song, a mixture of hip-hop, funk, and metal would prove to be the last thing ever recorded by guitarist, Joe Skogan.

On May 1^st, 2004 Joe Skogan went missing after being confronted and attacked by a man at a party on Cutter Road on Quadra Island. The fight was believed to be over a girl. Skogan was last seen about 6 am near the house where the party had taken place. Local rumors that Skogan had been murdered made a bad situation worse. After being missing for almost three years Skogan’s remains were found in the woods near Cutter Road. Foul play was ruled out by the RCMP. It is suspected that Skogan died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

On September 8^th, 2008, the surviving members of Bonafide performed at a concert on Quadra Island with Mother Mother. Long-time friend, Ryan Guldemond, played guitar in Bonafide that evening. The performance was considered an unofficial tribute to Joe’s life and work as a musician. Bonafide never played again until 2017 when the surviving members decided to reform the band with guitarist Scott Heatley. They are currently performing live gigs and writing new material.