Bongo Mike: Inside the Life of a Percussionist | Hogpod Chicago Local Music Podcast

🪘 Get ready to dive into the life behind the rhythm with Bongo Mike, the legendary Chicago percussionist who’s powered bands like The Mosquitoes, Black Diamond Sessions, and more. In this episode of the Hogpod Chicago Local Music Podcast, hosts Pete Jansons and Mike Orfanos take you inside Bongo Mike’s world of 90+ drums, his signature washboard gloves, and how he became the go-to guy for adding groove and grit to local live music.

🎙️ From spontaneous jam sessions to festival stages, Mike shares:
🎧 How he got started with congas and fell in love with percussion
🥁 Why he’s more of a second drummer than just a percussionist
🔧 The DIY magic behind his washboard setup (hint: thimbles + gloves!)
🪣 The true skill behind Chicago’s bucket drummers
📦 Why he’s tempted to add Menards buckets to his arsenal
🪵 A full basement tour of his congas, bongos, timbales & more
🎶 The art of coloring around the drummer in a band

You’ll also hear about some of his recent shows, his upcoming festival gigs, and what it means to sit in with over 25 different bands—all while keeping his own rhythmic voice.

🎵 Upcoming Shows – See Bongo Mike Live:

📅 July 3 – Morton Grove Days w/ The Mosquitoes
 👉 https://mortongrovedays.org/
📅 July 19 – Long Grove w/ Deadfest
 👉 / 1enmexjdcs
🥁 Black Diamond Sessions Gigs:
 🎶 July 17 – Wooden Nickel
 🎡 July 20 – Highwood Days
 🛍️ July 23 – Northfield Market at Clarkson Park

Special thanks to Beth Miller for booking this amazing episode and keeping Chicago’s local music scene connected and growing.

⏱️ Key Moments:
0:00 Intro
1:00 Mike Orfanos Wrigley Rooftop Trip
2:37 Libertyville Days & catching some tunes
4:48 How Did Bongo Mike Get into Being a Percussionist
7:00 Mike Orfanos Bongo Show and Tell
13:08 How Did Mike Get the Nickname Bongo Mike?
16:11 How Do Drummers and Percussionists Work Together?
24:30 🪣 Bucket Players in Chicago
31:38 🎺 Soldier Field Tunnel Performers
35:24 🥁 Steel Drums
36:41 🧤 The Washboard Setup
40:18 🗓️ Bongo Mike’s Upcoming Shows
41:20 🎵 Black Diamond Sessions Gig Schedule

🎧 Enjoying the show? Support Hogpod on Patreon and help us keep the Chicago music stories alive!
/ hogpod

📣 Are you a band, club owner, or booker and want to be on the show?
Reach out to Beth Miller for booking:
📩 [email protected]
📞 708-287-3692