Benzos
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Billboard
What happens when you take everything you know about music theory and throw it out the window? For Benzos, Stinky Records' New York- based, genre-bending quartet, it is not mere experimentation -- it is their raison d'etre. Hence, it is no surprise that their sophomore album Branches, set to hit stores on August 7, 2007, seamlessly blends the ambience and rhythm of early underground dance and experimental electronic music with lush, rock-based guitars and soaring vocals.
On Branches, Benzos' Christian Celaya (guitar/synth/vocals), Brian Joyce (guitar/vocals), Eiko Peck (bass) and Steve Bryant (drums/sampling) capture the melodic allure of Doves, the sprawling dynamics of Explosions In The Sky and the minimalistic yet intense complexity of Aphex Twin, to develop a unique blend of ambient, emotionally resonant guitar and synth instrumentation, "mashed up" with tight, bottom-heavy, ass-shakin' rhythm section grooves.
Recorded in the Summer of 2006 with Anthony Ranere (Lake Trout) and Steve Wright, Branches marks a return to Christian and Brian's early influences of rave and house music and culture (and all the trouble you can imagine they got into), as well as a deepening emphasis on the hip hop and drum and bass sound that Eiko and Steve have long cultivated. The result of the band members' experimentation with different moods and textures in their songwriting is a sound that melds each of their respective styles
into a cohesive unit that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Having undergone early changes in personnel and instrumentation, Benzos have overcome these obstacles by honing their creative vision to incorporate a heavily improvisational element, which they refer to as "live remixing" and which
has become a hallmark of the band's live shows. From the drum n' bass overtones of "Hurt Everybody" to the infectious melodies of "Phase 2" to the dynamic vehemence of "Crooked Hands," Branches engrosses you with transcendent emotions and complex, highly danceable rhythms that leave you wanting more.
Blog - see all 2
Thank you and goodnight. (a message from benzos to you) Apr 7
benzos has decided to go on indefinite hiatus. In our blog post you can read our letter to supporters of benzos and find out what each of the members are doing now.
"Hurt Everybody" live
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Comments - see all 6
thanx for add!!! very good music!!! hk
posted Oct 1
good vibes . Thank you.
posted Oct 1
Thanks for the request ! I love your music ! Can't wait to hear more ! And don't forget to warn me if you ever tour to France :)
posted Sep 30
guys, thanks for the add. i checked out a few of your songs and i have to say....really, really good. your album is now officially on my "to buy" list. cheers.
posted Sep 28
Awesome music!
posted Sep 13
Kaitlyn says:
Pretty impressed. I like your sound. Rock on!
posted Oct 15