Candid Bench – The first incarnation of The Bench was formed in 1986. Inspired by The Smiths, Half Man Half Biscuit, the six school mates from Anstey in Leicester, with guitarist/songwriter Richard Kettle at the helm, were soon playing gigs at local venues such as OJ’s and The Princess Charlotte in support slots alongside the likes of The Brilliant Corners and CUD. 

The Manchester scene of 1990 proved to be an important influence on the band and they moved into funkier musical territory. Supporting the likes of The Real People, The Bridewell Taxis and Northside. A glittering future looked assured and prestigious support slots were secured at venues in London such as the Camden Underworld. Then, as they often do, things began to go wrong. One band member quit to go to uni while another moved away.
 
Yet the core members still retained their ambitions, which were aided when two close friends and ex schoolmates Lee Preston and Martin Findlay took it upon themselves to learn to play bass and drums. By 1995 the band were ready to push things forward; demos were recorded and gigs planned. The Bench were then dealt another blow when singer and founder member Gaz experienced some kind of spiritual transformation whilst living as a tramp in Barcelona and subsequently moved to deepest Norfolk to concentrate on his gardening.

Nothing much happened in the next two years until another couple of ex school mates, vocalist Neil Broughton and a new guitarist joined the band. They quickly constructed a new set and were again ready to gig. After a handful of appearances at the Charlotte including support slots with Clearlake, Regular Fries and Elbow, the new guitarist quit the band. Once again the band had taken one step forward, only to then take two steps back. 

Finally a replacement guitarist was found in the rather rotund shape of Shane Bordoli, yet another ex schoolmate of yesteryear. And so in the year 2004 The Bench are, in the words of Elton John, still standing and looking to get themselves some of the long overdue credit 
their obvious talents so richly deserve.

a fine eclectic mix of downtempo grooviness broken beats deep house acoustic bliss and balearic madness, sink into the world of couleur cafe...

...more delicious melodies on my website

www.JamesMaddock.net 

British born James Maddock was first recognized in the U.S as leader of the band Wood (Songs From Stamford Hill - Columbia Records). Songs From Stamford Hill, which remains a fan favorite 10 years later, produced a Top 5 Triple A hit (Stay You) and was included in the first Dawson's Creek compilation. In 2009 Maddock released the exquisite collection of songs, Sunrise On Avenue C, for which he won the 2010-11 NY Music Award for Best Americana Album. Maddock followed Sunrise in 2011 with Wake Up and Dream. NYC’s WFUV 2011 Listener's Poll named Wake Up and Dream (#13) as one of the top albums of 2011. The Mike Scott (Waterboys)co-written single "Beautiful Now" was named the #9 Song of the Year in the same poll. Maddock has become a mainstay on non-comm and satellite radio and continues to tour extensively in the U.S and Europe. His new single, "My Old Neighborhood", will be released as an iTunes exclusive in early March 2012. 

Management and Booking:
J.W. Johnson -jw@globalpositioningservices.net www.globalpositioningservices.net 

Licensing:
Steve Scharf - sscharf@carlinamerica.com

Down Low; Rush Hour; Skylevel; Delusions of Grandeur; Mister Saturday Night, Heist, Razor-N-Tape, Friends & Relations

DJ, Broadcaster, Musical Journeyman - currently to be found on Jazz FM (jazzfm.com) and onejazz.net

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