Stevie Benton

Stevie Benton
Background information
Genres Heavy metal, hard rock, alternative metal
Instruments Bass, guitar, vocals
Years active 1996–present
Associated acts Drowning Pool, Even the Dead Love a Parade
Website www.drowningpool.com

Stevie Benton (Born February 17, 1966) is an American bass guitarist who is best known for performing in the metal band Drowning Pool, also as a backing vocalist, a role he has performed in the band since its formation (although a previous version of the band did exist prior to Benton's addition).[1] Benton is also a member of Even the Dead Love a Parade.[2]

Comments on torture

Even the Dead Love a Parade

In Spin's December 2006 issue, the magazine confronted Benton with information regarding his music being used as a torture and interrogation method at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In response Benton said, "People assume we should be offended that somebody in the military thinks our song is annoying enough that, played over and over, it can psychologically break someone down ... I take it as an honor to think that perhaps our song could be used to quell another 9/11 attack or something like that." He later added: "If they detain these people and the worst thing that happens is they have to sit through a few hours of loud music - some kids in America pay for that ... It doesn't seem all that bad to me." Benton's views were very different and controversial. Other artists were outraged at their music being used to torture people.[1]

On December 13, 2008, Benton issued an apology on Drowning Pool's MySpace page about these comments on musical torture, stating his comments had been "taken out of context".[3]

Personal life

On December 7, 2007, Benton was reported to have been diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a neurological disorder that causes paralysis of the facial muscles and sensitivity to light and sound. According to Drowning Pool's website "Benton began to feel ill during [the previous] night’s performance at Stone’s Throw in Eau Claire, WI, and after the show was rushed to the Luther Midelfort Hospital..." As a result the remaining shows on the This is for the Soldiers Tour were cancelled. He issued a statement apologizing to the fans and declared that he and his band mates "could not wait to come back and rock out with you all again soon."

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Andy Worthington. "A History of Music Torture in the War on Terror".
  2. October 26, 2012 (2012-10-26). "Drowning Pool Bassist's Even The Dead Love A Parade: Four Songs Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  3. "Drowning Pool official MySpace blog(Stevie Bentons Apology". Blogs.myspace.com. 2008-12-14. Retrieved 2011-10-21.