Ten Benson
Encyclopedia
Ten Benson are a rock band from London
, United Kingdom
formed in 1997. Their early releases saw them described as "psychedelic hillbillies", but they later moved on to a (cod-)heavy metal
sound.
. These singles were compiled onto the 6 Fingers of Benson mini-album on Deceptive 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".
The band recorded two sessions for John Peel
's show, in 1998, and 2000. "The Claw" reached #4 in the 1998 Festive 50, "Evil Heat" also making the chart at #47.
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
, and was described in one review as "ZZ Top
in bed with The Strokes
-- infectious hooks with primal leanings" and gaining comparisons with Tenacious D
in another. Village Voice compared the band to Nantucket
, and described them as "foreigners with bad hick accents growling, 'Mmmmmmm, hot sausage!'". 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". Danger of Deaf was also issued in 2003.
After a two and a half-year sabbatical, the band returned in late 2006.
Their live shows sometimes include unreleased songs Third Eye and 500 Miles.
Ten Benson continue to play live albeit seldomly, their most recent performance was at the Buffalo Bar on the 2nd of September 2011.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
formed in 1997. Their early releases saw them described as "psychedelic hillbillies", but they later moved on to a (cod-)heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
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. Three 7" singles were released in 1997 and 1998, the latter ("Evil Heat") getting considerable airplay on BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
. These singles were compiled onto the 6 Fingers of Benson mini-album on Deceptive Records
Deceptive Records
Deceptive Records was a British independent record label formed in 1992 by Steve Lamacq, Tony Smith and Alan James, which concentrated on rock and alternative rock. The most famous group signed to the label were Elastica....
. The United Colors of Benson EP followed in November 1998, these early release seeing them described as a "geeky gaggle of quirk-rock experimentalists".
The band recorded two sessions for John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
's show, in 1998, and 2000. "The Claw" reached #4 in the 1998 Festive 50, "Evil Heat" also making the chart at #47.
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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
debut album Benson Burner was released in 2003 on Jetset Records
Jetset Records
Jetset Records was a New York-based indie rock record label. The label has released a variety of independent bands, including Firewater, Sun Kil Moon and Mogwai.-Roster:*16 Horsepower*Arab Strap*Black Box Recorder*Dean and Britta*Congo Norvell...
, and was described in one review as "ZZ Top
ZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
in bed with The Strokes
The Strokes
The Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
-- infectious hooks with primal leanings" and gaining comparisons with Tenacious D
Tenacious D
Tenacious D is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Black and lead guitarist and vocalist Kyle Gass, the band has released two albums – Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny...
in another. Village Voice compared the band to Nantucket
Nantucket (band)
Nantucket is a hard rock band that formed in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 1969. Originally known as beach music band Stax of Gold and later Nantucket Sleighride , the six-member group—Tommy Redd, Larry Uzzell, Mike Uzzell, Eddie Blair, Kenny Soule, and Mark Downing—became a huge draw in their...
, and described them as "foreigners with bad hick accents growling, 'Mmmmmmm, hot sausage!'". A 2003 Drowned In Sound
Drowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
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.
Their live shows sometimes include unreleased songs Third Eye and 500 Miles.
Ten Benson continue to play live albeit seldomly, their most recent performance was at the Buffalo Bar on the 2nd of September 2011.
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" (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)