Ben Wa (band)
| Company type | Music duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Oakland, California , United States |
| Products | Electronic music albums and EPs |
Ben Wa was an electronic music duo originating from Oakland, California, featuring Anthony "House" Chaba on programming and bass, alongside Eric Ware handling programming and keyboards. Both members had previously worked together in groups such as Limbomaniacs, Big Janitor, and MCM & the Monster.
Following the 1998 release of their four-track EP 1, they proceeded to produce their first full-length album, Devil Dub. This record included contributions from guest artists like guitarists Buckethead and M.I.R.V., drummer Bryan "Brain" Mantia, turntablist DJ Disk, and the renowned dub pioneer Scientist, who also performed live at the album’s launch event in January 1999. Chaba and Ware connected with Scientist during an opening slot for Bill Laswell's Praxis in San Francisco.
The album Devil Dub garnered favorable critical reception; for instance, URB described it as "one of the most crucial records of any genre released this year," while Michelle Goldberg of Metro Silicon Valley characterized it as "more edgy and creepy than ethereal." Rick Anderson from Allmusic awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling the record "remarkably pleasant," and Noah Wayne of Splendid commended its campy and twisted take on dub music.
The tracks "Re-Dub" and "Ephedream" were featured on compilations curated by Bill Laswell, including Reanimator: Black Market Science and Tetragrammaton - Submerge, as well as other dub-themed collections.
In 2000, Ben Wa released the Elektro-Krazy EP, which fused breakbeats with electro elements. According to Epitonic, this work bridged Detroit techno with funky dance floor breaks. Their 2001 album, Disciples Of Retro-Tech, issued on both double vinyl and CD formats, explored sounds rooted in electro and synth-pop. Stephen Cook of Allmusic rated it 4 out of 5 stars for its innovative blend of styles, while Daiv Whaley from Hear/Say described it as "cool, accessible music" within the electro-funk spectrum.
Discography
- EP 1 (12" EP, Black Hole Records, 1998)
- Devil Dub (CD album, Black Hole Records, 1998)
- Elektro-Krazy (12" EP, Malvado Records, 2000)
- Retro-Tech EP (12" EP, Stray Records, 2001)
- Disciples Of Retro-Tech (Double vinyl and CD album, Stray Records, 2001)
Devil Dub
Released on January 13, 1999, Devil Dub represents the inaugural album from the San Francisco Bay Area duo Ben Wa, consisting of "Dr. Ware" and "House," who have associations with Limbomaniacs, Tommy Guerrero, Buckethead's Giant Robot project, and MCM & the Monster.
Established in 1997 with prior contributions to EPs and compilations, this album marked their first comprehensive release. According to House, the recording process was largely remote and improvisational: musicians laid down parts individually over click tracks before samples were layered in post-production. This method enabled key collaborators to contribute flexibly without being physically present simultaneously.
Prominent guest musicians featured on the album include experimental guitarist Buckethead, drummer Brain—known for his work with Primus at the time—and turntablist DJ Disk from Invisibl Skratch Piklz.
The album received strong critical acclaim; for example, URB magazine hailed it as "one of the most crucial records of any genre released this year," emphasizing its inventive fusion of dub rhythms with experimental rock influences.
Personnel
- Buckethead – guitar, neuro-pulse guitar-triggered Larynx Modeler
- DJ Disk – turntables, orange Bear
- Brain – drums and beats
- M.I.R.V. – damaged guitar
- Adrian Isabell – percussion instruments
- Dr. Ware – keyboards and programming
- House – bass guitar, programming
- Dow W. Patten – spoken word (preacher)
- Sessions recorded at Tyrell Studios, Oakland, California
- Production overseen by Ben Wa
Notes
Ben Wa acknowledged creative influence from seminal artists in dub and electronic genres such as Scientist, Mad Professor, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, King Tubby, Sly and Robbie, Bill Laswell, and Kraftwerk.
External links
- Archived version of the official website as of July 28, 2009
- GearTalk: Ben Wa, IGN, April 4, 2001
- Chris Baty: Ben There, Done That, SF Weekly, October 17, 2001
- Cleofus Williams: Runnin' With The Devil, gogorilla.com (archived)
- Michelle Goldberg’s review on the album, Metroactive
- Interview conducted by Martijn Busink, Musique Machine, 2002