He and drummer Steve Goulding (The Rumour, The Mekons, etc) met and began playing together as a rhythm section while still at school.

They spent their teenage years auditioning and busking whenever they could, and were gigging around London with a cajun-influenced band called Bontemps Roulez just prior to forming The Rumour in 1975.

[1] Bodnar is probably best known for his membership with Graham Parker and The Rumour (1975-1980), for playing the distinctive reggae-flavored bassline on "Watching the Detectives" by Elvis Costello, and for bass playing and co-writing (with Steve Goulding and Nick Lowe) "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" by Nick Lowe.

Bodnar went on to become the Thompson Twins touring bassist, promoting their hit album 'Quick Step & Side Kick' during 1982-83 [2] and since played live, or on recording sessions for many artists, including Angie Bowie, The Pretenders, and Tina Turner.

[4][5] He lives in rural North Yorkshire where he continues to write and record as The Punch House Family.