DJ Tonka is an electronic music

Electronic music

Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...

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

Career

In his early career, Thomas Gerlach worked with fellow producer Ian Pooley

Ian Pooley

Ian Pooley is a German-born 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.-Career:...

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

Breakbeat

In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...

. 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 music

House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...

, with influences from synth pop and the American garage house scene. He achieved some notoriety as a remix

Remix

A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....

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

Colonel Abrams

Colonel Abrams is a house and urban musician who was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in New York City, New York. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School currently known as Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics which is in East Harlem section of Manhattan, there he met a fellow...

, "Love Shack" for The B-52's

The B-52's

The B-52's are an American rock band, formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider , Kate Pierson , Cindy Wilson , Ricky Wilson , and Keith Strickland . Following Ricky Wilson's death in 1985 Strickland switched to guitar...

 and "Push It" for Salt-N-Pepa

Salt-N-Pepa

Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....

.

Tonka cites Grandmaster Flash

Grandmaster Flash

Joseph Saddler better known as King Grandmaster Flash, is an American hip hop musician and DJ; one of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing....

 and Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...

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

Singles

DJ Tonka/Tonka

• 1995 "Feel"
• 1995 "Flashback"
• 1995 "Phun-ky"
• 1996 "(I Want You To) Feel"
• 1996 "Feel/She Knows You"
• 1996 "Feel Phun-ky EP"
• 1996 "Feel The Street" (with Deskee
  Deskee
  Deskee is a male house music solo artist from Queens, New York. Deskee moved to Germany in 1984 with his mother, who was member of the Armed Forces. Deskee became the main DJ for the road show called The Body Snatchers Road Show , and they played in several night clubs throughout Germany...
  
  )
• 1996 "Flashback (Remixes)"
• 1996 "Happiness"
• 1996 "Radical Noise"
• 1996 "Old Skool/Use Ya Ears"
• 1997 "Old Skool/Feel The Street (Remixes)"
• 1997 "Security/The Night"
• 1998 "She Knows You/Get On Up"
• 2000 "Don't Be Afraid (To Let Yourself Go)"
• 2002 "Keep Klimbing"
• 2002 "Never/J.O.E."
• 2003 "Get Back" (with Lara McAllen
  Lara McAllen
  Lara Jennifer McAllen is a chart vocalist, singer/songwriter, and vocal producer.-Biography:Lara McAllen is the singer for the pop/dance music project Angel City. McAllen began dancing at age 5, and briefly pursued a modelling career before becoming a backing dancer for the pop singer Shakira at...
  
  )
• 2004 "84 (My Beginning)"
• 2005 "All Over Again", as Adjuster vs. Tonka (with Johan Rundqvist)
• 2008 "Drop Box EP"
• 2008 "Website"
• 2008 "Blow Up"

Chip Tunes

• 2001 "Heartjumpa"
• 2001 "Chip Tunes Vol. 1"
• 2002 "Chip Tunes Vol. 2"
• 2002 "Limited Edition DJ Tools"

Space Cube

All are collaborations with Ian Pooley

Ian Pooley

Ian Pooley is a German-born 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.-Career:...

• 1991 "Space Cube EP"
• 1991 "Sub Audible"
• 1992 "Kool Killer EP"
• 1992 "Kool Killer Vol. 2"
• 1993 "Kool Killer Vol. 3"
• 1993 "Kool Killer Mixes EP"
• 1993 "Unreleased Project EP"
• 1993 "The Latest Adventures of Kool Killer EP"
• 1994 "Dschungelfieber"
• 1994 "Inbound/Outbound"
• 1995 "Kommerz Killer/Big Bam Bam"
• 1997 "Unreleased Space Cube Tracks"

T'N'I

All are collaborations with Ian Pooley

Ian Pooley

Ian Pooley is a German-born 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.-Career:...

• 1991 "Do You Still Care" (with Marie Pullins)
• 1991 "Low Mass EP"
• 1991 "Trip Men"
• 1992 "Beam EP"
• 1993 "Depart EP"
• 1993 "Dream Team EP"
• 1993 "I Want To Be Free"
• 1994 "Mad Situation/Be Straight"

Other aliases

• 1991 "Emperor/Daylight", as Outrage (with Ian Pooley
  Ian Pooley
  Ian Pooley is a German-born 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.-Career:...
  
  )
• 1993 "Euro Style Tunes Vol. 1", as Thomastic

Remixes

• 1991 Paradise Programme - "Deep Green (T'N'I Remix)" (as T'N'I, with Ian Pooley)
• 1992 N.R.G. - "I Need Your Love (Space Cube Remix" (as Space Cube, with Ian Pooley)
• 1993 Formosa - "Dr. Strangelove (TNI Remix)" (as T'N'I, with Ian Pooley)
• 1993 The Bionaut - "Everybody's Kissing Everyone (T'N'I Remix)" (as T'N'I, with Ian Pooley)
• 1993 House Pimps - "Get The Hook (TNI Remix)" (as T'N'I, with Ian Pooley)
• 1993 Rainforest - "The Birds (TNI Remix)" (as T'N'I, with Ian Pooley)
• 1993 D.A.C Robinson - "Lucky Strike (Space Cube Remix)" (as Space Cube, with Ian Pooley)
• 1993 Ilsa Gold - "Up (Space Cube Remix)" (as Space Cube, with Ian Pooley)
• 1995 2 Def DJ's - "Spirit (Space Cube Remix)" (as Space Cube, with Ian Pooley)
• 1995 Legend B - "Lost In Love (Space Cube Remix)" (as Space Cube, with Ian Pooley)
• 1995 Ian Pooley - "Celtic Cross (DJ Tonka Mix)"
• 1996 Full Intention
  Full Intention
  Full Intention is a house music duo from England who are best known as prolific remixers, reworking songs for varied artists such as the Sugababes and Whitney Houston. Group members are Michael Gray and Jon Pearn....
  
   - "America (I Love America) (DJ Tonka's Late Checkout)"
• 1996 Gina G
  Gina G
  -Albums:*1997 Fresh! — #12 UK #40 Norway.*1998 Gina G Remix Album *2005 Get Up & Dance -Singles:...
  
   - "I Belong To You (DJ Tonka's Expect The Unexpected Mix)"
• 1996 Smokin Beats - "Disco Dancin (DJ Tonka Remix)"
• 1996 The Hipgrinders - "Good Time (DJ Tonka's Sick In Da Style Mix)"
• 1996 Moodymann
  Moodymann
  Moodymann also known as Kenny Dixon Jr or KDJ for short, is a Techno/House musician based in Detroit, Michigan.He creates a thoroughly hybrid form of techno/house dance music, jazz, soul, disco and funk via his innovative use of reworked riffs, samples , and grooves taken from...
  
   - "The Dancer (DJ Tonka Remix)"
• 1996 Celvin Rotane - "You've Got To Be You (DJ Tonka's Eurostyle Club Mix)"
• 1997 The Funkjunkeez
  Roger Sanchez
  Roger Sanchez, also known as Roger S. and The S Man, is a Grammy award-winning American House music DJ who has scored many hits in the European and World Charts...
  
   - "Got Funk? (DJ Tonka's Remix)"
• 1997 Dave Angel
  Dave Angel
  David Angelico Nicholas Gooden , better known as Dave Angel, is an English techno musician.-Early years:Angel was born in Chelsea, London in 1966. He is the son of a London-based jazz musician, and the elder brother of rapper Monie Love...
  
   - "Funk Music (DJ Tonka Remix)"
• 1997 Bootsy Collins
  Bootsy Collins
  William Earl "Bootsy" Collins is an American funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the '70s, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk...
  
   - "I'm Leavin' U (Gotta Go, Gotta Go) (DJ Tonka Remix)"
• 1997 Jimmy Somerville
  Jimmy Somerville
  James William Somerville is a Scottish pop singer and songwriter. He had considerable success in the 1980s with the pop groups Bronski Beat and The Communards, and has also had a successful solo career. He is known in particular for his falsetto singing voice...
  
   - "Safe House (DJ Tonka 12")"
• 1997 Colonel Abrams
  Colonel Abrams
  Colonel Abrams is a house and urban musician who was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in New York City, New York. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School currently known as Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics which is in East Harlem section of Manhattan, there he met a fellow...
  
   - "Trapped (DJ Tonka Remix)"
• 1998 Louise
  Louise Redknapp
  Louise Elizabeth Redknapp is an English singer and media personality. She was a member of the girl group Eternal from 1992 to 1995, before becoming a solo singer . She has presented several television shows and served as a judge on the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance...
  
   - "All That Matters (DJ Tonka Mix)"
• 1998 Black & White Brothers - "Put Your Hands Up (DJ Tonka Full Version)"
• 1998 Urban Soul
  Urban Soul
  Urban Soul was a UK/US house music studio project assembled by producer, songwriter and vocalist Roland Clark. Urban Soul hit the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart seven times through the 1990s, including hitting #1 in 1997 with the track "Show Me." Other Urban Soul tracks featured vocals by...
  
   - "Love Is So Nice (DJ Tonka's Till Sunrise Remix)"
• 1998 K-Klass
  K-Klass
  K-Klass are a house music group from Wrexham, North Wales. The members are Andy Williams, Carl Thomas, Russ Morgan, and Paul Roberts. K-Klass signed with Deconstruction Records, and later to Parlophone.-Career:...
  
   - "Live It Up (DJ Tonka Remix)"
• 1998 The B-52's
  The B-52's
  The B-52's are an American rock band, formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider , Kate Pierson , Cindy Wilson , Ricky Wilson , and Keith Strickland . Following Ricky Wilson's death in 1985 Strickland switched to guitar...
  
   - "Love Shack (DJ Tonka Remix)"
• 1999 Salt-N-Pepa
  Salt-N-Pepa
  Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
  
   - "Push It (DJ Tonka Remix)"
• 2000 Dominica - "Gotta Let You Go (DJ Tonka Mix)"
• 2000 Bump - "I'm Rushing (Tonka's Bumpin' Anthem Mix)"
• 2001 Cleptomaniacs featuring Bryan Chambers - "All I Do (Tonka's Classic Club Mix)"
• 2001 Tony Esposito
  Tony Esposito (musician)
  Antonio "Tony" Esposito is an Italian musician, singer-songwriter and drummer from Italy.-Career :Esposito was born in Naples.He is well known for his 1984 hit single "Kalimba de Luna" from his album Il grande esploratore....
  
   - "Kalimba De Luna (Tonka's Mojito Beach Party Mix)"
• 2002 Alizée
  Alizée
  Alizée Jacotey is a French singer, known professionally by her given name Alizée She was discovered by Mylène Farmer, following her winning performance in the talent show, Graines de Star, in 1999...
  
   - "L'Alizé (Tonka's Sunny Season Mix)"
• 2002 Robin S.
  Robin S.
  Robin S. is an American singer-songwriter, who scored success in the 1990s with such hit singles as "Show Me Love" and "Luv 4 Luv". She has had three number ones on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.-Career:Robin S...
  
   - "Luv 4 Luv (Tonka's 2002 New Club Mix)"
• 2002 Robin S. - "Show Me Love (Tonka's 2002 Club Mix)"
• 2002 The Punisher - "Straight Up! (Tonka Remix)"
• 2003 Robin S. - "Luv 4 Luv (Tonka's 2003 First Club Mix)"
• 2004 Ian Pooley - "Heaven (Tonka's High Pass Mix)"
• 2005 Room 5 - "Make Luv (Tonka Remix)"
• 2005 Morillo
  Erick Morillo
  Erick Morillo is a Colombian-American DJ, music producer and record label owner. Having produced under a number of pseudonyms, including Ministers De la Funk, The Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, Deep Soul, Club Ultimate and Li'l Mo Ying Yang, Morillo is best known for his international work in...
  
   featuring Leslie Carter
  Leslie Carter
  Leslie Barbara Carter is an American singer.- Family :Carter was born in Tampa, Florida, the daughter of Jane Elizabeth and Robert Gene Carter. She is the older sister of Aaron Carter and younger sister of Nick Carter. Aside from her brothers, Nick and Aaron, she also has two sisters: Angel and...
  
  - "Waiting In The Darkness (DJ Tonka's Even Darker Club Mix)"
• 2006 Ian Pooley - "Celtic Cross (T'n'I Revival Mix)" (as T'N'I, with Ian Pooley)
• 2006 Erick Morillo
  Erick Morillo
  Erick Morillo is a Colombian-American DJ, music producer and record label owner. Having produced under a number of pseudonyms, including Ministers De la Funk, The Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, Deep Soul, Club Ultimate and Li'l Mo Ying Yang, Morillo is best known for his international work in...
  
   - "Dance I Said (Tonka Remix)"
• 2008 MGMT
  MGMT
  MGMT is an American alternative rock band founded by Benjamin Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden. After the release of their first album, the members of their live band, Matthew Asti, James Richardson and Will Berman, joined the core band in the studio...
  
   - "Kids (Tonka Treatment)"
• 2009 Coburn
  Coburn
  Coburn may refer to:* Coburn , an electronic music band from the United Kingdom* Coburn, California, an unincorporated community in Monterey County, California, USA* Coburn, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place in Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA...
  
  - "We Re-Interrupt This Programme (Tonka Remix)"

Albums

• 1992 Machine And Motion, as Space Cube
• 1993 The Latest Adventures of Kool Killer, as Space Cube
• 1998 Peaktime (In One Go), as DJ Tonka
• 2004 84, as Tonka

External links

• DJ Tonka at Discogs.com