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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
 Posted - 11/07/2002 : 17:35:53
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| As the former webmaster of thebennies.com and somewhat of a management-like figure for the group, I find this tour and site as an opportunity to find out what the attendees of the Frank Black shows think of The Bennies. If those of you posting reviews for the shows could tell me what you thought of The Bennies (love em or hate em), I'd very much appreciate it. I'd like to put together some type of section or page about the tour...thanks in advance. |
Edited by - El Barto on 03/23/2003 23:00:12 |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2002 : 19:35:45
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Okay, it's official!
I'm to FB.net on AP as Jim is to The Bennies here. =)
Not that there's anything wrong with it, just an amusing parallel. |
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the swimmer
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1602 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2002 : 12:28:29
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Hey,
I just got back from the Atlanta show and I saw this site and wanted to add my 2 cents about the bennies.
Short critique - They Kicked Serious Ass.
Longer critique - So honestly I'll tell ya, after seeing Ried Paley ( whom I enjoyed, first time seeing him) then David Lovering (God almighty, that was hilarious. He really loved what he was doing) and being sooooooo antsy to see Frank Black I was NOT in the mood to see another band. I was right up front, and it looked like there were putting all their instruments right in our faces, they had no room. Little did I know.
So I see drums, a guy with a Rickenbacker bass, and a guy with an Epiphone something or other. As I said, I pretty much had my arms folded and didn't feel like standing around through some noisy bullshit, but had to. Standing outside in the cold for 45 minutes, then 3 openers is a little much.
So The Bennies start playing and it starts off a little rough and I am still like "jeesus, why?". (you wanted honesty)
However, about aproximately one minute later, I realized, "This is fucking incredible" and it only got better after that. My body wanted to move, my head wanted to bang just like the frontman, he was really getting into it. Everyone was loving it from my perspective. I can recall one instance where the drummer was doing these amazing snare runs. Suffice it to say, this guy could really fucking hit 'em. Good drummers are few and far between.
About maybe four songs into it (more or less, was enjoying it too much to notice) BOTH the guitarist and the bassist broke a string.
That is serious. Bass strings are not easy to break. They were REALLY REALLY into it and their passion showed through. While the bassist ran off to find another bass, the two remaining members did a number on their own. Very professional, keep the show rolling.
Now, it wouldn't be a critique if it was all good. As an audience member, and a "musician" with his own band, here's the "needs improvement" part.
Maybe, and I say this because it all depends on the context that I have never heard them before last night, but maybe the songs were a little long. I know that's like that part in AMMADEUS...too many notes (There are exactly as many notes as their should be).
Secondly, their set list had 12 songs....the 3rd opener for a headliner maybe should think they are pushing it at 8 songs. Get in, get out, leave em wanting more.
And last was just the sound. When I see a band I don't know, I sometimes feel like, can I not HEAR the vocals, or can I not hear them because I never heard them before (you know what I mean)? Maybe less stage volume and let the vocals come out a bit more. Maybe I am just too old school.
But really, fucking, who am I? I din't get asked to open for The Catholics. I could obviously tell why Frank picked these guys to open. They rock, they got the goods and they fit really nicely with FB&TC and Pixies sound. Not derivitate or imitative, just, in the family. And that is a great family to be in.
Their music was cool, and pyschedelic. It was heavy in just the right way. I dug it and I hope everyone will check them out. I stuck my head under the curtain like a dork, but I really wanted to tell them how much I enjoyed it. The singer said "we had a lot of technical difficulties" but I said we didn't notice or it didn't matter because it was great. Nobody notices when you fuck up if you go on and don't make a big deal out of it. I spoke with the drummer as well and he dutifully reminded me to sign the mailing list. I did. Then I saw the singer again outside and told him again it was great.
They all were nice and humble, which ALWAYS makes me want to listen to people's music more and proves that they are happy they get to be doing what they are doing.
Anyway, I must go to the site so I can learn names if I write any more about them!
"Winter blows through my coat"
the what four http://www.mp3.com/phelan |
Edited by - the swimmer on 11/17/2002 12:33:10 |
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GiJoewithKungFuGrip
- FB Fan -
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2002 : 07:04:49
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The Bennies were great. My wife and were able to talk with Jeremy for quite a while after their set. He's cool guy and was nice enought o go get their two cd's for me to buy. I gave one to Captain Maximus and somehow lost the other on the trip form Athens to Atlanta. If anybody can tell me how to get two more, I'd surely appreciate it! They were great and reminded me so much of the Surfa Rosa record. Anyway, thats my story and I'm sticking to it!
"I'll have the cheese and eggs, scrambled,with plain toast,grits,bacon and hashbrowns scattered and covered." |
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Big Red
- FB Fan -
17 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2002 : 00:22:48
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I truly loved The Bennies so much that I bought both CDs after the show. I met Jeremy on the way out and had him sign both of my discs. I told him that I could wait to see him at the next show and to keep rocking hard.
I usally don't get that excited, but I'm looking forward them as much as Frank at the Warsaw show. El Bart please pass these requests onto the guys. Tell them that Eddie would like to hear
Desdemona Underwater
Waiting for Ann
Cover Up
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2002 : 03:25:13
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Thanks for the review, Big Red, and I'm really glad you enjoyed the set (enough so to anticipate them more than Frank Black! that's a huge compliment!) I'll be sure to pass on your special request to the guys...They play Desdemona and Cover Up every night as far as I know. They'll be the first band up at the Warsaw from 9-9:30, so make sure you're on time! :) You live in New York then? They usually make their way to NYC to play shows here and there...be sure to sign up for the mailing list to find out when (and/or check out the website).
www.thebennies.com |
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Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <
3648 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2002 : 07:42:15
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Last night in c-ville was the 2nd time I've seen them open for Frank. No offense, but I neither loved them nor hated them. The sound last night kinda sucked for all the bands. The song about "Rachael" (sp?) was my favorite. They were definitely together. I couldn't hear the vocals well, nor much of the guitar. Heard lots of bass though. And the drummer was pretty good. I liked some partsf their show very much, other parts I wasn't that impressed. Oh well, they're cool though. I'm glad they tour with Frank. Remind me of the Pixies a litte bit.
"Snooch to the muthaf**kin Nooch" |
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Big Red
- FB Fan -
17 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2002 : 12:32:49
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quote:
Originally posted by El Barto
Thanks for the review, Big Red, and I'm really glad you enjoyed the set (enough so to anticipate them more than Frank Black! that's a huge compliment!) I'll be sure to pass on your special request to the guys...They play Desdemona and Cover Up every night as far as I know. They'll be the first band up at the Warsaw from 9-9:30, so make sure you're on time! :) You live in New York then? They usually make their way to NYC to play shows here and there...be sure to sign up for the mailing list to find out when (and/or check out the website).
www.thebennies.com
Well, I can't say more than, but just as much. Frank is my idol! Don't get me wrong. I usally don't care for opening acts, but this time I am as they really impressed me. I'm on the mailing list, so I'll defiantly catch them if they play NYC again.
Also, pass on that I would love to design their next album cover.
P.S. Could you give me a complete discography? I'm surprised that Spin Art doesn't put up Fossil.
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Edited by - Big Red on 11/20/2002 12:36:54 |
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St. Francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
548 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2002 : 12:48:31
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After hearing so much about these guys I almost wish they were part of the Canadian dates so I could have seen them. Then again we go two sets each night and that was excellent as well.
Lord-a-mercy! |
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Jack
- FB Fan -
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2002 : 13:57:50
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| El Barto, I really enjoyed The Bennies. They rocked out hard and I was especially impressed with the drummer. I wanted to try to get their CD but they weren't selling them at the Black Cat. |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2002 : 14:04:19
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They had em...I know for sure on Saturday night there was a table at the back of the club, not sure about Friday. They feel "lame" by telling people that they have CDs for sale and where...they're only hurting themselves. I'm trying to find a good ecommerce solution to sell CDs from thebennies.com
www.thebennies.com |
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psychosteve22
- FB Fan -
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2003 : 21:20:05
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| I just saw the Bennies tonight in Cincinnati. They were a great band to open for Frank Black & the Catholics, if you ask me. They were fun, passionate, and appreciative. I agree with a lot of the less positive stuff that the swimmer said, though--the vocals could've gone up a notch or two, and the songs were occasionally too long. Other than that, they were pretty great. I can't wait to see what the future holds for them. |
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ObfuscateByWill
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1887 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2003 : 03:58:45
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I've never had a chance to see the Bennies live.
I will say that thebennies.com, in it's current format, is way better than any previous designs you've tried.
*Shka---pow! |
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Weinus
- FB Fan -
5 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2003 : 11:51:34
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they were the first act when i saw the band back in November, and i guess it makes it hard for them to get really listened to because people were anxious to see FB/C. i rememberi thought they were pretty cool, but not impressed enough to by a cd. later, i looked them up online, DLed some songs and realized they are really...great.
started emailing the singer, nice guy. was going to buy a cd, but i'd have to go to another show, and i couldn't. |
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