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    <title>Benzos</title>
    <link>http://virb.com/benzos</link>
    <description><![CDATA[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. 
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      <title>coup d'état</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:45:59 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>02 You're Forever An Hourglass</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:42:25 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>03 It's Amiable</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:41:27 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>05 Glass Souls</title>
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      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:40:28 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>Portland</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:49:41 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>Hurt Everybody</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:46:00 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>Phase 2</title>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:41:25 -0700</pubDate>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:44:21 -0800</pubDate>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:33:00 -0700</pubDate>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:30:52 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>Thank you and goodnight. (a message from benzos to you)</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/benzos/posts/text/554134</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Loyal Friends,

benzos has decided to go on an indefinite hiatus with no plans for any performances or recordings in the near future.  This was not an easy decision by the band members, mainly due to all the supporters out there who have been emailing us to come play their city or town.  We apologize to those great people.  Since the band formed as a trio in late 2002 and went through many incarnations, member changes, sound alterations and the years, months, weeks, days and hours being taking our show to a venue nearest you, Christian, Brian, Eiko & Steve extend their appreciation for your support, in any way you've shown it.  Buying or downloading our albums, attending our shows, saying hi after a performance or the many emails and comments left for us.  It has kept us going and meant everything to this band.  Thank you endlessly for that.

Here is some news on what each of the members has embarked on that we'd like to share with you:

Christian has been busy with both his new band, With Lions, and transitioning over to the producer's chair.  With Lions, a duo featuring Anthony "Woody" Ranere, of Lake Trout is currently recording their debut in both Jersey City and Baltimore, which marks a huge leap in sound for the two.  With Lions influences range from Nine Inch Nails, Chemical Brothers, John Murphy (composer of "28 Days/Weeks Later) mixed with an orchestral background.  You can find out more about them here at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/withlionsmusic">http://www.myspace.com/withlionsmusic</a>.  In the production end of things, he is currently producing the album of New Jersey's, Ohshin, (with a few completed songs at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ohshin">http://www.myspace.com/ohshin</a> ) where you'll also be able to hear him on bass, synths and harmonies.  He has been splitting his time between his home studio in Jersey City and Baltimore's Wrightway Studios (where "Branches" was recorded) as a member of their production/composition/licensing team with many more production projects coming up with bands such as Pittsburgh's Shade, among others.  Check back at the With Lions page for future updates.

Brian has spent his time focusing on his family, as well as a new project with Steve and other collaborators.  Focusing mainly on instrumental, improvisational composition, they are currently rehearsing new material.  He also has a solo project being developed that will be produced by himself and Christian, which will focus more on the singer/songwriter sound, not unlike Wilco and Iron & Wine.  Stay tuned for more on both of these projects at his , which can be found in our "Top Friends" and linked to his name in the "Band Members" section on our MySpace page.

Eiko has continued to work on his longtime, labor of love, Elco Deck ( <a href="http://www.myspace.com/elcodeck">http://www.myspace.com/elcodeck</a>).  This features him as the sole multi-instrumentalist and writer.  Elco Deck's sound is in the hip-hop, acoustic-folk realm.  Along with that, he is a member of collective, BoomClique, which features Steve, as well.  Now living in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, he's been writing and recording material daily.  Check his myspace page for more updates, music and videos.

Steve has returned his focus to his solo career as the Drum n' Bass/Jazz/Hip-Hop extraordinaire, Cru Jonez (<a href="http://www.myspace.com/crujonezbeats">http://www.myspace.com/crujonezbeats</a>).  Recently releasing his self-produced debut, "The Dynamic" and performing all over NYC.  That, along with his many production efforts and other collaborations named above. You can keep updated with his doings on his myspace page.

Thanks again for your support of benzos.  We hope to see you, hear from you, and have our new projects be added by you so we can keep in touch for the future.  We will always maintain the benzos page so that we can continue to communicate with you, our friend and supporter.

THX!]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:35:40 -0700</pubDate>
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      <title>benzos offers free, digital downloads for the holidays</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/benzos/posts/text/369589</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Benzos Release Coup d'état

Three Free Digital Downloads!

Benzos must have been in the holiday spirit when they decided to
release three free exclusive downloadable tracks.
By simply going to www.benzosmusic.com/exclusivedownload.html, the
entire release of Coup d'état is available.


Coup d'état Tracklisting:
1. Coup d'état
2. We Have Names (branches b-side)
3. Blue & White (branches b-side)


The title track officially marks the first independent release for
Benzos. The band had composed it during a practice a few months ago
and decided to slip it into a set in August at the Knitting Factory.
Based on the crowd reaction, as well as the enjoyment of the band
playing it, Benzos decided to made it a staple in all of their live
performances. Even though they had just released their CD Branches,
the band discussed recording this new track for future possibilities
and this free digital download idea seemed to be the right fit.

 The Band recently had the idea to "clean out the vault", so-to-speak,
and make these 2 b-sides that were cut from Branches available to fans
for free.  Putting out this new track, "Coup d'état", was the perfect
time to couple these all together. And with the holidays coming up it
seemed appropriate to do it this way, giving the fans a little gift.
Both of these songs are very different tracks. "We Have Names" is more
rock oriented, while "Blue & White" plays with trip hop beats,
stripped down instrumentation and soulful vocals.

Check out Coup d'état at:
<a href="http://www.benzosmusic.com/exclusivedownload.html">http://www.benzosmusic.com/exclusivedownload.html</a>


]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:41:14 -0800</pubDate>
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