Frank Benbini
Frank Benbini (real name Mark Francis Reid), born in Leicester, United Kingdom, is the drummer in the Fun Lovin' Criminals, following on from their original drummer Steve "O" Borovini and Maxwell "Mackie" Jayson. As well as being known as Frank Benbini, he also goes by the names Uncle Frank and TRM which stands for "The Rhythm Man".
Frank joined FLC as their drummer in May 2003 - although he had known the band for many years previously (their first meeting was at Rock City in Nottingham in 1996[1]) - after having worked for a while as Mackie's technician. Along with drumming, Frank also provides backing vocals to tracks on FLC's more recent albums and when performing live with the Fun Lovin' Criminals.
Frank is also one half of the "Make It Nice Brothers" with Na'im Cortazzi. Based in Leicester, England, the "Make It Nice Brothers" perform in two bands, Uncle Frank and Fatal Star. These two unsigned bands each have very different musical styles to the Fun Lovin' Criminals - Uncle Frank being described as "the music from the Jungle Book blended with Barry White's lush soul vibe and ... a touch of Benny Hill and, not forgetting, some genius songwriting a la Burt Bacharach"[2] and Fatal Star as "devastating campfire harmonies with a mystical eastern edge for arrangements. Delicate, Melodic, Soulful food for hungry dreamers".[3]
Along with these two bands, Frank has also performed with the band Cantaloop (Cantaloop website) who have supported the Fun Lovin' Criminals on several of their tours.
He is also dipping his toes into the realms of acting - being part of the sequel to FLC's film 'Maui Homicide' (currently titled 'Maui Homicide 2') and also appearing with fellow band member Huey Morgan in Brit Flick Clubbing To Death.
Uncle Frank played at the 2009 Limetree Festival. Frank also did a guest vocalist spot with Cantaloop on the Saturday night of the Limetree Festival.