Ten Benson

Ten Benson

Live at The Garage, Holloway, London, 2003
Background information
Origin London, England
Genres Alternative rock, heavy metal, comedy rock, swamp rock[1]
Years active 1997–2004,2006–present
Labels Sweet, Deceptive, Cottage, Art Rocker, Jetset
Associated acts Swimmer, Shiva Affect
Website http://www.tenbenson.com
Members Chris Teckkam: Vox & Guitar
Karl Hussey: Drums
Jaemi Zahra-Hall: Lead Guitar
Mush Berrier: Bass Guitar
Past members Marc Sallis - Guitar
Steve Crittall - Lead Guitar
Dan Warren - Drums
Dave Attwood - Drums
Glenn Fryatt - Drums
Paul Summer - Guitar
Andy Zammit - Drums
Jonny Wood - Keyboard
Mathis Stadlbauer - Bass
Ritchie Glover - Bass
Ian Hutchinson - Guitar/Bass
Duncan Lovatt - Vox/Guitar
Napoleon Catilo - Drums
Bruce Brand - Drums
[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.

History

The band was formed in 1997 by ex-Swimmer singer/guitarist Chris Teckkam, with Shiva Affect 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.[10] Their live shows sometimes include unreleased songs Third Eye and 500 Miles. They recorded BBC6 Music sessions on Mark Riley's show on 2 October 2013, when Mike Joyce (ex The Smith's drummer) stood in as the DJ, and on 6 October 2015. Ten Benson continue to play live, albeit seldomly.

Discography

Singles

Albums

References

  1. ↑ Insound.com: Ten Benson
  2. ↑ Meat The Band
  3. 1 2 3 Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
  4. 1 2 Drowned In Sound live review 21 August 2003 by Tommy Mack
  5. ↑ Ten Benson featured in BBC Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - Artist A-Z
  6. ↑ Phares, Heather. Biography for Ten Benson at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-04-16.
  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, 7-13 January 2004
  10. ↑ ten benson return after two and half years | music towers
  11. 1 2 3 "UK Chartlog - 1994–2010 DJ T – Tzant". zobbel.de. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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