The Bendy Monsters - full frontal history
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How it all began
Before any gigs are played, it is discovered that Andy cannot in fact play a
steady rhythm on the drum and is promptly asked to stand down... Dom is the
only person in the band who can and reluctantly becomes the band's
drummer...
The #2 line up is very steady and the band play many gigs, mainly in
Sheffield, as well as a few "away" gigs in Stockport and York. Dom Bradshaw
leaves the band for personal reasons and is replaced by Kieran "Bez"
Beresford on drums...
After a couple of gigs, Johnny follows Dom and leaves for personal reasons.
He is replaced by Rob Wade, formerly of D.I.M.
Tripwire play a number of live gigs and make a couple of demo recordings.
After initial enthusiasm, the interest in the band starts to wane and Rob
announces that he is leaving the band. The band split...
Adrian and Joe both helped early on but were never classed as members of the
band. Bez (ex Muzzle Club) joins the band on drums...
Before any gigs are played, Jim is replaced by Chris Wainwright (ex This
Mighty Fire) due to Jim's work commitments.
The Bendies play a couple of gigs. Bez leaves the band by mutual consent and
is replaced by the infamous drum machine!
This is by far the most famous of Bendies line-ups. After numerous gigs,
Tracey Plant (ex Blammo) is invited to join the band.
The #5 Bendies play a number of gigs with Tracey fitting in smoothly.
Unfortunately, Tracey had to leave, like Jim, due to work commitments. The
band is now back to the #4 version.
After over seven years together, the Bendies are still going strong, even if
live performances are a rarity. Expect to see them live again in the year
2000!
Thanks to Dom Bradshaw for filling me in. On the band history.
What you say
"Salford Jets. What is it about? It really doesn't matter
because the music speaks for itself. Are there a hundred
influences or is this pure Bendy Monsters?
"When I played "Knutty" I immediately thought of The Presidents of the United States of America, although the lead singer sounds like Michael Stype of REM. It's a good song. If I was producing it I would go for more of a heavier style. More riffs and
more guitar. But that's my opinion. The band may be happy with what
they have got. It would also be interesting to see what the song would
be like if they slowed the verse down so you could make out the
words!!!
As for "Shacklet", well I immediately thought of "The Stranglers" with that sorta 70's city sound. It also sounds like Insiral Carpets with
the keyboardy 80's feel. Again potential for heavy rifs. But that's my opinion.
They sound like a good band though."
"Based upon the 44 seconds I have heard so far
this reviewer is mightily impressed with Top Trumps. 'Shackleton's
You Know' is reminiscent of The Stranglers (you were right) finest
work, whereas 'Eh Up Knutty' evokes memories of The Jam. I gave the sound
bites a few good listens had a few beers,listened again and now i
can't get 'Eh Up Knutty' out of my head.
If the rest of the songs are as good as the titles then I know I
will love the album when I finally hear it."
"After only listening to only a few seconds of the
Bendy monsters I am transported back to the era of
Half Man Half Biscuit and The Stranglers where no
doubt this band gets its inspiration. Maybe it is
time to look forward not back (How many brit pop
kids know what a Ford Capri is ?) Good nostalgic
fun for those of us who remember the pogo but can't
do it now due to bad backs and middle age spread. Good
fun never-the-less and I would certainly check them
out live."
(Updated 27 September 2000)
With thanks to Andy Fjord for the above fascinating facts, and Dom for go-betweening.
Bendy Evolution
The Muzzle Club #1
are formed by five mates, mostly ex school friends...
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Johnny Hanson (guitar)
Dom Bradshaw (guitar)
Jim Herring (bass)
Andy Birch (drums, well one drum, a snare!)
The Muzzle Club #2
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Johnny Hanson (guitar)
Jim Herring (bass)
Dom Bradshaw (drums)
The Muzzle Club #3
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Johnny Hanson (guitar)
Jim Herring (bass)
"Bez" (drums)
The Muzzle Club #4
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Rob Wade (guitar)
Jim Herring (bass)
"Bez" (drums)
Muzzle Club #4 play a small number of gigs. The end is nigh and the band
split. Pat meets up with old schoolfriend Andy Fjord and forms "Tripwire"
along with Rob Wade.
Tripwire
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Andy Fjord (keys)
Rob Wade (guitar)
Andy and Pat soldier on, with a view to forming a new band. Joe (surname
unknown) on guitar and Adrian (surname unknown) on bass are drafted in to
form the, as yet, unnamed band, but do not immediately gel with Pat and
Andy's style. Pat suggests to Andy that they should go "back to basics" and
start enjoying themselves! Pat approaches ex Muzzle Club members Dom and Jim
to form a new band with himself and Andy and the Bendy Monsters are born!
The Bendy Monsters #1
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Andy Fjord (keys)
Dom Bradshaw (guitar)
Jim Herring (bass)
The Bendy Monsters #2
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Andy Fjord (keys)
Dom Bradshaw (guitar)
Jim Herring (bass)
"Bez" (drums)The Bendy Monsters #3
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Andy Fjord (keys)
Dom Bradshaw (guitar)
Chris Wainwright (bass)
"Bez" (drums)
The Bendy Monsters #4
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Andy Fjord (keys)
Dom Bradshaw (guitar)
Chris Wainwright (bass)The Bendy Monsters #5
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Andy Fjord (keys)
Dom Bradshaw (guitar)
Chris Wainwright (bass)
Tracey Plant (guitar)
The Bendy Monsters #6
Pat Hancock (vocals)
Andy Fjord (keys)
Dom Bradshaw (guitar)
Chris Wainwright (bass)
What happened to the others?
I can't put my finger on it, to use an English term, but
it feels *right*. Dance music is my scene so that is a
complement from me!
Why don't you release this in its full version? The driving
guitars and urgency of the vocals will cross the boundaries
of musical taste. You have a *big* sound, get it out on CD!"
DJ Nico, Netherlands
"They are a band with a lot of potential and with the right sort of producer (ME!!!!) they could go a long way."
Gordon Macleod, University of Strathclyde
Basscadet, Los Angeles, USA
Mark Prestage England