- Ten Benson
Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Ten Benson
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Background = group_or_band
Origin =London ,England
Genre =Alternative rock ,heavy metal ,comedy rock ,swamp rock [ [http://www.insound.com/Ten_Benson/artistmain/artist/INS28579/ Insound.com: Ten Benson ] ]
Years_active = 1997-present
Label = Sweet, Deceptive, Cottage, Art Rocker, Jetset
Associated_acts = Swimmer,Shiva Effect
URL =
Current_members = Chris Teckkam
Marc Sallis
Karl Hussey
Mush
Past_members = Dave Attwood
Paul Summer
Andy Zammit
Jonny Wood
Mathis Stadlbauer
Ritchie Glover
Ian Hutchinson
Duncan Lovatt
Napoleon CatiloBruce Brand
[ [http://www.tenbenson.com/meat.html Meat The Band ] ]
Notable_instruments =Ten Benson are a rock band from
London ,United Kingdom formed in 1997. Their early releases saw them described as "psychedelic hillbillies",Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1] 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 former
Shiva Effect drummer Napoleon Catilo, and bassist Duncan Lovatt. Three 7" singles were released in 1997 and 1998, the latter ("Evil Heat") getting considerable airplay onBBC Radio 1 . These singles were compiled onto the "6 Fingers of Benson" mini-album onDeceptive Records . The "United Colors of Benson" EP followed in November 1998, these early release seeing them described as a "geeky gaggle of quirk-rock experimentalists". [http://www.drownedinsound.com/event/view/826 Drowned In Sound live review 21/08/2003 by Tommy Mack] ]The band recorded two sessions for
John Peel 's show, in 1998, and 2000. "The Claw" reached #4 in the 1998Festive 50 , "Evil Heat" also making the chart at #47. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/t/tenbenson/ Ten Benson at the Keeping It Peel site] ]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 onJetset Records , [http://wc04.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll Allmusic.com profile] ] and was described in one review as "ZZ Top in bed withThe Strokes -- infectious hooks with primal leanings" [ [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/t/tenbenson-benson.shtml Popmatters review of "Benson Burner" by Jason MacNeil] ] and gaining comparisons withTenacious D in another. [ [http://www.inmusicwetrust.com/articles/62r71.html In Music We Trust review of "Benson Burner" by Alex Steininger] ]Village Voice compared the band to Nantucket, and described them as "foreigners with bad hick accents growling, 'Mmmmmmm, hot sausage!'". [ [http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0401,smith,50020,22.html Village Voice review of "Benson Burner" by George Smith, January 7-13, 2004] ] A 2003Drowned In Sound live review described them as an "inbred family of redneck truckers resplendent in mesh caps and string vests and hirsute faces". "Danger of Deaf" was also issued in 2003.After a two and a half-year sabbatical, the band returned in late 2006, and continue to perform live. [ [http://www.musictowers.com/news/newsfeed/ten-benson-return-after-two-and-half-years/ ten benson return after two and half years | music towers ] ]
Discography
ingles
*"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" (2000, Cottage)
*"I Don't Buy It" (2000, Cottage)
*"Black Snow" (2000, Cottage)
*"One Way Ticket" (2007, Artrocker)Albums
*"6 Fingers of Benson" (1998, Deceptive)
*"Hiss" (2000, Cottage)
*"Satan Kidney Pie" (2002, Artrocker)
*"Benson Burner" (2003, Jetset)
*"Danger of Deaf" (2003, Must Destroy)References
External links
* [http://www.tenbenson.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.ampnet.co.uk/ten_benson.html AMP article]
* [http://www.newbeats.com/tenbensoninterview.html New Beats interview with Chris Teckkam]
* [http://www.ink19.com/issues/august2003/musicReviews/musicT/tenBenson.html Ink 19 review of "Benson Burner"]
* [http://www.maelstrom.nu/ezine/review_iss18_1413.php Maelstrom review of "Benson Burner"]
* [http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/ten-benson/benson-burner/13437/ Prefix magazine review of "Benson Burner"]
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