Ten Benson
Live at The Garage, Holloway, London, 2003
Live at The Garage, Holloway, London, 2003
Background information
OriginLondon, England
GenresAlternative rock, heavy metal, comedy rock, swamp rock[1]
Years active1997–2004; 2006–present
LabelsSweet, Deceptive, Cottage, Art Rocker, Jetset
MembersChris Teckkam: Vox & Guitar
Karl Hussey: Drums
Jaemi Zahra-Hall: Lead Guitar
Mush Berrier: Bass Guitar
Past membersMarc 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]
Websitehttp://www.tenbenson.com

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. Jonny Wood came in for live shows on keyboard and general crazy shenanigans etc.[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 No. 4 in the 1998 Festive 50, "Evil Heat" also making the chart at No. 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 BBC Radio 6 Music sessions on Marc Riley's show on 2 October 2013, when Mike Joyce (ex Smiths drummer) stood in as the DJ, and on 6 October 2015. Ten Benson continue to play live, albeit seldom.

Discography

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" (February 2000, Cottage) UK No. 97[11]
  • "I Don't Buy It" (July 2000, Cottage) UK No. 121[11]
  • "Black Snow" (December 2000, Cottage) UK No. 127[11]
  • "One Way Ticket" (August 2007, Artrocker)
  • "Mud Man" (September 2015, Ditto Music)
  • ”Snowman Snowgirl” (December 2015, Ditto Music)
  • ”Half an Hour from Hell” (December 2021)
  • ”500 Miles” (December 2021)
  • ”Almost Human” (February 2022)

Albums

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

References

  1. ↑ "Warner Music Group Official Store". Store.warnermusic.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "Meat The Band". Archived from the original on 8 December 2007.
  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". Archived from the original on 9 October 2007.
  5. ↑ "BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - Ten Benson". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  6. ↑ Phares, Heather. Biography for Ten Benson at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-04-16.
  7. ↑ "Popmatters review of Benson Burner by Jason MacNeil". Popmatters.com. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "In Music We Trust - Ten Benson: Benson Burner". Inmusicwetrust.com. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  9. ↑ "Village Voice review of Benson Burner by George Smith, 7-13 January 2004". Villagevoice.com. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  10. ↑ "ten benson return after two and half years | music towers". Archived from the original on 15 August 2007.
  11. 1 2 3 "UK Chartlog - 1994–2010 DJ T – Tzant". zobbel.de. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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