The Bens
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Ben Folds, Ben Kweller, Ben Lee |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
The Bens constituted a rock supergroup composed of Ben Folds, Ben Kweller, and Ben Lee, who toured Australia in 2003 under the banner of the "Bens Rock Over Australia" tour.
History
According to Kweller, the idea for the group emerged when fans observed their common first name and encouraged them to collaborate. Already acquainted, the three musicians embraced the concept as an enjoyable and impromptu venture. Between 14 and 28 March 2003, they delivered nine shows spanning key Australian cities such as Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. A planned tenth performance in Melbourne was ultimately cancelled.
During the concerts, each member presented individual solo sets, while the opening and closing numbers were performed collectively. Two of these live shows were recorded for radio broadcasts on Live at the Wireless and Live at the Basement. The band issued a self-titled EP containing four tracks, initially available exclusively at their concerts before being released throughout Australia and internationally. This EP was produced in Nashville.
The Japanese edition featured additional live recordings sourced from the radio sessions. Their track "Just Pretend" secured a spot on Triple J's Hottest 100 list in 2003. Moreover, they contributed a rendition of "Wicked Little Town" to Wig in a Box, a tribute compilation dedicated to the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Although members have toured in various duo configurations since then, The Bens have neither reunited as a trio nor created new recordings. In 2010, Kweller mentioned intentions to embark on a European tour involving the group.
Reception
Jasper "Jaz" Lee from Oz Music Project remarked on the EP’s eclectic mix of influences, underscoring the distinctive maturity and stylistic diversity each artist brought to the collaboration. He highlighted the evident chemistry between them both during live performances and within the recording. MacKenzie Wilson of AllMusic characterized the four-song EP as primarily appealing to loyal followers, commending its unique pop sensibility and seamless collaboration, with Folds acting as a guiding figure for his younger counterparts.
Discography
- The Bens (EP, 2003)
- Wig in a Box (Compilation, 2003) – including "Wicked Little Town"