Ten Benson

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Ten Benson
Origin London, England
Genre(s) Alternative rock, heavy metal, comedy rock, swamp rock[1]
Years active 1997-present
Label(s) Sweet, Deceptive, Cottage, Art Rocker, Jetset
Associated acts Swimmer, Shiva Effect
Members
Chris Teckkam
Marc Sallis
Karl Hussey
Mush
Former members
Dave Attwood
Paul Summer
Andy Zammit
Jonny Wood
Mathis Stadlbauer
Ritchie Glover
Ian Hutchinson
Duncan Lovatt
Napoleon Catilo
Bruce Brand
[2]

Ten Benson are a rock band from London, United Kingdom formed in 1997. Their early releases saw them described as "psychedelic hillbillies",[3] but they later moved on to a (cod-)heavy metal sound.

Contents

[edit] History

The band was formed in 1997 by ex-Swimmer singer/guitarist Chris Teckkam, with former Shiva Effect drummer Napoleon Catilo, and bassist Duncan Lovatt.[3] Three 7" singles were released in 1997 and 1998, the latter ("Evil Heat") getting considerable airplay on BBC Radio 1. These singles were compiled onto the 6 Fingers of Benson mini-album on Deceptive Records.[3] The United Colors of Benson EP followed in November 1998, these early release seeing them described as a "geeky gaggle of quirk-rock experimentalists".[4]

The band recorded two sessions for John Peel's show, in 1998, and 2000. "The Claw" reached #4 in the 1998 Festive 50, "Evil Heat" also making the chart at #47.[5]

Their next release, "Rock Cottage" saw them spoofing Heavy Metal. First album proper, Hiss followed in 2000. Next album was 2002's Satan Kidney Pie. The United States debut album Benson Burner was released in 2003 on Jetset Records,[6] and was described in one review as "ZZ Top in bed with The Strokes -- infectious hooks with primal leanings"[7] and gaining comparisons with Tenacious D in another.[8] Village Voice compared the band to Nantucket, and described them as "foreigners with bad hick accents growling, 'Mmmmmmm, hot sausage!'".[9] A 2003 Drowned In Sound live review described them as an "inbred family of redneck truckers resplendent in mesh caps and string vests and hirsute faces".[4] Danger of Deaf was also issued in 2003.

After a two and a half-year sabbatical, the band returned in late 2006, and continue to perform live.[10]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

  • "City Hoppers" (1997, Sweet)
  • "The Claw" (1998, Sweet)
  • "Evil Heat" (1998, Deceptive)
  • United Colors of Benson EP (1998, Deceptive)
  • "Rock Cottage" (1999, Cottage)
  • "Robot Tourist" (2000, Cottage)
  • "I Don't Buy It" (2000, Cottage)
  • "Black Snow" (2000, Cottage)
  • "One Way Ticket" (2007, Artrocker)

[edit] Albums

  • 6 Fingers of Benson (1998, Deceptive)
  • Hiss (2000, Cottage)
  • Satan Kidney Pie (2002, Artrocker)
  • Benson Burner (2003, Jetset)
  • Danger of Deaf (2003, Must Destroy)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Insound.com: Ten Benson
  2. ^ Meat The Band
  3. ^ a b c Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
  4. ^ a b Drowned In Sound live review 21/08/2003 by Tommy Mack
  5. ^ Ten Benson at the Keeping It Peel site
  6. ^ Allmusic.com profile
  7. ^ Popmatters review of Benson Burner by Jason MacNeil
  8. ^ In Music We Trust review of Benson Burner by Alex Steininger
  9. ^ Village Voice review of Benson Burner by George Smith, January 7-13, 2004
  10. ^ ten benson return after two and half years | music towers

[edit] External links

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