Thomas-René Gerlach (born June 24, 1973), known professionally as DJ Tonka, is a German

electronic dance music Electronic dance music (EDM), also referred to as dance music or club music, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres originally made for nightclubs, raves, and List of electronic dance music festivals, festivals. It is generally ...

ian. He is also known as Tonka, Chip Tunes, and Thomastic.

Musical career

In his early career, Thomas-René Gerlach worked with fellow producer

Ian Pooley Ian Pooley (born Ian Pinnekamp in 1973) is a German record producer and DJ. While incorporating samples of various musical genres, Pooley's creations are usually classified as house or tech house with Brazilian influence. Biography Pooley's mu ...

in the groups Outrage, Space Cube, and T'N'I. Together they produced several records in

techno Techno is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) which is generally produced for use in a continuous DJ set, with tempos being in the range from 120 to 150 beats per minute (bpm). The central rhythm is typically in common time ( ) and often ...

progressive house Progressive house is a subgenre of house music that emerged in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. It is characterized by its evolving, melodic Musical form, structures, subtle Transition (music), transitions, and layered sound design.Gerard, ...

and

breakbeat Breakbeat is a broad type of electronic music that uses drum breaks, often sampled from early recordings of funk, jazz, and R&B. Breakbeats have been used in styles such as Florida breaks, hip-hop, jungle, drum and bass, big beat, breakbeat ...

. In 1996, the partnership was dissolved (an EP with unreleased tracks was still released in 1997), and coincidentally, both started producing a more mainstream-friendly sound. As a solo artist, Gerlach took on the name DJ Tonka and began producing

house music House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor (music), four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 115–130 beats per minute. It was created by DJs and music producers from Chicago's underground ...

, with influences from

synthpop Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a music genre that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s ...

and the American

garage house Garage house (originally known as "garage"; local terms include "New York house" and New Jersey sound) is a dance music style that was developed alongside Chicago house music. The genre was popular in the 1980s in the United States and the 1990s ...

scene. He achieved some notoriety as a

remix A remix, also sometimes called reorchestration or rework, is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, book, poem, or photograph ca ...

er, reworking tunes such as "Trapped" for disco artist

Colonel Abrams Colonel Abrams (May 25, 1949 – November 24, 2016) was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. Early life Colonel Abrams was born in Detroit, Michigan. His family later moved to East 13 Street, in Manhattan's East Village, Manhattan, East ...

, "Love Shack" for

The B-52's The B-52s, originally presented as the B-52's (with an errant apostrophe; used until 2008), are an American band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. The original lineup consisted of Fred Schneider (vocals, percussion), Kate Pierson (vocals, k ...

and "Push It" for

Salt-N-Pepa Salt-N-Pepa (sometimes stylized as Salt 'N' Pepa) is an American hip-hop, hip hop group formed in New York City in 1985, that comprised Salt (rapper), Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (rapper), Pepa (Sandra Denton), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper). ...

. Tonka cites

Grandmaster Flash Joseph Robert Saddler (born January 1, 1958), known by his stage name Grandmaster Flash, is a Barbadian-American musician and DJ. He created a DJ technique called the Quick Mix Theory. This technique serviced the break-dancer and the rapper by el ...

and

Depeche Mode Depeche Mode are an English electronic music, electronic band formed in Basildon, Essex in 1980. Originally formed with the line-up of Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher (musician), Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke, the band currently consists ...

among his influences. He has also founded two record labels: Uplifting Records in 1997 and Vivienne Records in 2000.

Discography

Studio albums

* 1998: ''Peaktime'' (In One Go) (Warner/Germany) * 2004: ''84'' (Uplifting Rec. Warner/Germany)

Singles & EPs

* 1995: "Flashback" (Force Inc. US) * 1995: "Flashback, Remixes" (Outland Rec./NL) * 1995: "Got to Get Up" (Force Inc. 100) * 1995: "Feel" (Force Inc. US, Disco Magic/Italy, Airplay Rec./France) * 1995: "Feel, Remixes" (Force Inc. US) * 1995: "Phun-ky" (Force Inc. US, Skint/UK, Dance Net/Australia) * 1996: ''Feel Phun-ky EP'' (Outland Rec./NL) * 1996: "Old Skool" (F.Inc.US, Dance Net/Aus, Happy One/Danm, Pen Pot/Italy) * 1996: "Feel the Street vs. Deskee" (Force Inc. US) * 1996: "Feel the Street vs. Deskee" Remixes (Outland Rec./NL) * 1996: "Radical Noise, Remixes" (Outland Rec./NL) * 1996: "Happiness" (Force Inc. US) * 1997: "Old Skool" (

Joey Negro David Russell Lee (born 18 June 1964) is an English DJ and music producer, formerly known by the stage name Joey Negro, which he retired in July 2020 following the George Floyd protests. He has released music under a variety of pseudonyms ...

Rmx) (Club Masters/UK) * 1997: "Old Skool" (Fletch Remix) (Happy One/Danm) * 1997: "The Night", Security (Upl, Warn/Ger, Ginger Music/Spain, Hitland/Italy, Airplane/France) * 1998: "She Knows You" (Uplifting Rec./Warner) * 1998: "She Knows You" (Birthday Edition) (Uplifting Rec.) * 2000: "Don't Be Afraid" (Vivienne Rec., Warner/Ger., BlancoYNegro/Spain) * 2000: "Don't Be Afraid" (Nerio's Dubwork Remix) (Promo Only/Warner) * 2002: "J.O.E, Never!" (Vivienne Rec.) * 2002: "Keep Klimbing" (Vivienne Rec.) * 2004: "84" (Vivienne Rec. Warner) * 2004: "Get Back, PT1" (Vivienne Rec. Warner, BlancoYNegro/Spain) * 2004: "Get Back, PT2" (Vivienne Rec. Warner, BlancoYNegro/Spain) * 2008: "Orca", Freeze (Munich Disco Tech Vol.1, Great Stuff Germany) * 2008: "Orca" (Ian Pooley Rmx) (Munich Disco Tech Vol.2, Great Stuff/Germany) * 2008: ''Drop Box EP'' (Alphabet City/Germany) * 2009: ''Ready for War EP'' (Southern Fried Records/UK) * 2011: "Aliens & Earthlings" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2012: "Atlantis" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2012: "Atlantis Remixes" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2015: "Calippo - 4U" (Enormous Tunes) * 2016: "Security" (Cat 'N Dogz 2016 Edit) (12", S/Sided) (Petsedits, Pets Recordings) * 2019: "Don't Stop" (Big & Dirty) ;TONKA presents CHIP TUNES * 2001: Heartjumpa, Reflect, Fallin', Passion (Chip Tunes, Warner/Germany)

Mix-CDs

* 1998: ''The House of Disco'' (Vision Sound Carriers/Germany) * 2000: ''Essential Streetparades / Proved'' (Warner Music/Germany)

Remixes

* 1995: Ian Pooley - "Celtic Cross Remixes" (Force Inc.) * 1996: Celvin Rotane - "You've Got to Be You" (Alphabet City/Edel) * 1996: The Moodyman - "The Dancer" (After Midnight Rec., UCA Records/NL) * 1996:

Smokin Beats Smokin Beats are a house and garage duo consisting of Paul Landon and Neil Rumney. The duo founded their own record label Smokin Beats and released a string of singles throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and one album ''Ready to Fly'' in 1997. The ...

- "Disco Dancin'" (Music Man, Legato Rec., News/Belgium) * 1996:

Full Intention Full Intention are an English house music duo consisting of Michael Gray and Jon Pearn. They are best known as prolific producers and remixers. They have reworked songs for varied artists such as the Sugababes, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey a ...

- "America" (Logic/Germany, Sugar Daddy, Stress Rec/UK) * 1996: The Hipgrinders - "Good Times" (Positiva, Additive/UK) * 1996: Gina G - "I Belong to You" (Eternal, Warner/UK) * 1997: Colonel Abrahams - "Trapped" (Up Beat, Warner/Germany, Mantra/Italy, Ginger/Spain) * 1997:

Jimmy Somerville James William Somerville (born 22 June 1961) is a singer from Glasgow, Scotland who rose to prominence in the 1980s with the synth-pop groups Bronski Beat and the Communards. With Bronski Beat, Somerville achieved commercial success with the 1 ...

- "Safe" (Heaven Rec./Germany, Ginger/Spain) * 1997:

Bootsy Collins William Earl "Bootsy" Collins (born October 26, 1951) is an American bass guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Rising to prominence with James Brown in the early 1970s before joining the Parliament-Funkadelic collective, Collins established himse ...

- "I'm Leavin' U" (Gotta Go, Gotta Go)" (feat. MC Lyte) (Warner/Germany, Mercury/US) * 1997: Dave Angel - "Funk Music" (Island/UK) * 1998: The Funkjunkeez a.k.a. Roger Sanchez - "Got Funk?" (Strictly/US, Motor/Germany) * 1998: Louise - "All That Matters" (EMI/UK) * 1998: Urban Soul - "Love Is So Nice" (VC, Virgin/UK) * 1998: Black & White Brothers - "Put Your Hands Up" (Edel/Germany, Happy Music/France) * 1998: DJ Tonka vs The B52's - "Love Shack" (Warner/Germany, Reprise/US) * 1998:

K-Klass K-Klass are a Welsh/English electronic music group from Wrexham, Wales and Chester, England, who are based in Manchester, England. Its original members were Andy Williams, Carl Thomas, Russ Morgan and Paul Roberts. In 1991, K-Klass signed with ...

- "Live It Up" (EMI/UK, Dance Factory/Italy) * 1999:

- "Push It" (Motor/Germany) * 1999: Tony Esposito - "Kalimba De Luna" (Warner/Germany) * 2000: Dominica - " Gotta Let You Go" (Fuel, East West, Warner/Germany, Outland Music/NL) * 2000: Bump a.k.a. Steve Travell & MA - "I'm Rushing" (Fuel, East West, Warn/Germany) * 2001: Cleptomaniacs a.k.a. Brian Tappert & John Julius Knight – "All I Do" (Edel/Germany) * 2002:

Robin S Robin Jackson Maynard (''née'' Stone; born April 27, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for her 1992 debut single " Show Me Love", which peaked at number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, as well as its follow-up, " ...

. - "Show Me Love" (Stereoph, BMG/Ger., Champion/UK) * 2002: Robin S. - "Luv 4 Luv" (Stereophonic, BMG, Champion/UK) * 2002:

Alizée Alizée Lyonnet ( Jacotey; born 21 August 1984), known professionally as Alizée, is a French pop singer. She is one of the best-selling French female artists of the 21st century, and the singer with the most exports out of France. Her best-k ...

- "L'Alizé (Tonka's Sunny Season Mix)" (Universal/Germany & France) * 2002: Sharam Jey pres the Punisher - "Straight Up!" (King Kong Rec, Warner/Germany) * 2004: Ian Pooley ft Jade & Dantelle - "Heaven" (Pooled Music, MOS/Germany) * 2004:

Erick Morillo Erick Morillo (March 26, 1971 – September 1, 2020) was a Colombian-American disc jockey, music producer, and record label owner. Having produced under a number of pseudonyms, including Ministers de la Funk, the Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, ...

ft. Leslie Carter - "Waiting in the Darkness" (Subliminal/US) * 2005: Tonka vs The Adjuster - "All Over Again" (Disco Inc., Force Inc./Germany) * 2005: Room 5 a.k.a. Junior Jack - "Make Love 2005" (EMI/Germany) * 2006: Ian Pooley & Tonka - "Celtic Cross 2006" (Pooled Music/Germany) * 2006: Erick Morillo ft P.Diddy - "Dance I Said" (Subliminal/US) * 2008: MDX & Namito - "Hot & Spicy" (Long Distance Rec./Australia) * 2009: Gus Gus - "Lust" (Great Stuff/Germany) * 2009: Ian Pooley vs Zoo Brazil - "Reader" (Pooled Music/Germany) * 2009: Coburn - "We Re-Interrupt This Programme" (Tasted, Great Stuff/Germany) * 2009: Aquasky - "You Know We Do It Big Girl" (Passenger/UK) * 2009: AudioFun - "Dirty Gold" (Freek Records/UK) * 2010:

Ellie Goulding Elena Jane Goulding ( ; born 30 December 1986) is an English singer, songwriter, and activist. Born in Hereford and raised in Lyonshall, Goulding began writing songs at the age of 15. She released her debut single " Under the Sheets" through ...

- "Guns and Horses" (Polydor/UK) * 2010:

Housse de Racket Housse de Racket are a musical duo from Paris, France. The band consists of Pierre Leroux and Victor Le Masne. Biography Leroux and Le Masne studied at a music conservatory and began as session musicians for Air An atmosphere () is a l ...

- "Oh Yeah!" (M20 Solution, Kuskus/France) * 2010: Simon Rose - "Stachus" (Bobble Music/Germany) * 2010: Mercedes - "Shock Absorber" (Eye Industries/UK) * 2010: Aggro Santos - "Saint or Sinner" (Mercury Records, Future Rec./UK) * 2010: The Wanted - "Heart Vacancy" (Geffen Records/UK) * 2011:

Natalia Kills Natalia Noemi "Teddy" Sinclair (' Cappuccini; born 15 August 1986) is a British singer-songwriter and actress. She has recorded music under various aliases, most famously as Natalia Kills and Verbalicious. She is currently the lead vocalist of ...

- "Mirrors" (Interscope Rec./USA) * 2011: Dabruck & Klein ft Ollie James - "I Found Love" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2011: Arty - "Around the World" (WePLAY/Germany, Anjunabeats/UK) * 2012: The Disco Boys - "Around the World" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2012: Medina - "Forever" (EMI/ Germany) * 2012: Laserkraft 3D - "Urlaub" (WePLAY/Germany) * 2015:

Robin Schulz Robin Alexander Schulz (; born 28 April 1987) is a German musician, DJ, and record producer. On 4 February 2014, he released the first single from his debut album, a remix of "Waves (Mr. Probz song), Waves" by Dutch hip hop artist Mr. Probz. T ...

- "Headlights (DJ Tonka's Sunlight Radio Mix)" (TONSPIEL/Warner Music Group)

Other projects

;THOMASTIC (Productions & Remixes) * 1993 Eurostyle Tunes Vol.1 (Intense Rec./Germany) * 1993 I Want to Be Free - Rmx (Intense Rec. BMG Ariola/Germany) * 1993 Dream Team EP, Whirlpool Prod. - Dreaming, Remixes (Intense Rec./Germany) ;T´N´I (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1991 Low Mass E.P. (Force Inc./Germany) * 1991 Trip Men w. Alec Empire (Force Inc./Germany) * 1991 Paris, No More Ugly Germans, Compilation & Single (Sony Music, Germany) * 1992 Disco Beam E.P. (Intense Rec. Germany) * 1992 Do You Still Care? ft Marie Pullins (Polydor/Germany) * 1993 Depart EP (Intense Rec/Germany) * 1993 I Want to Be Free (Intense Rec., BMG Ariola/Germany) * 1994 Mad Situation, Be Straight (Force Inc./Germany) * 1995 Nothing Can Stop Us (Force Inc.100 Compilation/Germany) ;T´N´I Remixes (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1992 Paris Red - Do Ya (Feel It) (Dance Pool, Sony Music/Germany) * 1992 The Bionaut - Everybody is Kissing Everyone (Intense Rec/Germany) * 1992 Paradise Project - Deep Green (Sony, Germany) * 1993 Dream Team EP w. Whirlpool Prod. - Dreaming (Intense Rec./Germany) * 1993 Formosa - Dr. Strangelove (Sony/Germany) * 1993 Rainforest - The Birds (Now! Rec./Germany) * 1993 House Pimps - Get The Hook (Now! Rec./Germany) ;SPACE CUBE (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1991 Space Cube EP (Force Inc./Germany) * 1992 Machine & Motion (Force Inc./Germany) * 1992 Pure Tendency - Ritchie Hawtin Rmx (R&S Rec./Belgium) * 1992 Kool Killer EP 1 (Force Inc/Germany) * 1993 Kool Killer EP 2 (Force Inc./Germany) * 1993 Kool Killer EP 3 (Force Inc./Germany) * 1993 Kool Killer EP, UK Mixes (Edge Rec/UK) * 1993 The Latest Adventures Of Kool Killer (Dragnet/Sony, Germany) * 1993 Sassion ft Gordon Matthewman & Force Mass Motion (Edge Rec/UK) * 1993 The Unrel. Project EP (Solid Preassure Continental/CH) * 1994 Inbound, Outbound (Riot Beats/Germany) * 1994 Kommerz Killer (Riot Beats/Germany) * 1995 Dschungelfieber, Remixes (Riot Beats/Germany) * 1996 DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley's Unrel. Space Cube Tracks (Upflifting Rec./Germany) ;SPACE CUBE Remixes (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1993 Ilsa Gold - Silke (Force Inc./Germany) * 1993 N.R.G. - I Need Your Lovin' (Force Inc./Germany, Chill Rec./UK, Pyro Tech/US) * 1993 D.A.C. Robinson - Lucky Strike (Rabbit City Records/UK) * 1995 Legend B - Lost In Love (Lanka/Germany) ;OUTRAGE (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley) * 1991 Emperor, Daylight (Force Inc./Germany)

External links

Official Website

Official SoundCloud Page

Official Facebook Fanpage

Official MySpace Page

DJ Tonka at Discogs

Booking Agency
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tonka, Dj 1973 births Living people German club DJs German trance musicians German electronic dance music DJs