Interviews

Interviews: Bensin

Recently we talked to Jeff Mayne, the keyboardist and back-up vocalist of the pop-punk group Bensin to discuss his utter fascination with Buffalo wings.

Smother: Give our readers a little background on the formation of Bensin.

Jeff: Well, we've been a band for just over a year now. Before Bensin came along, some of us has also been playing together in another band for almost 7 years. We recently scrounged enough money to buy a bus and have been touring. The band is based out of snowy Buffalo NY, and we all love our amazing Buffalo food.

Smother: What inspired your latest album "Leave Your Mark" (Read the review)?

Jeff: You know, with this album we found inspiration everywhere we looked. From different human relationships to finding ourselves as we walk into our semi adult lives, I really feel there are moments where certain tracks really are able to hit a nerve. Whether it's a positive or negitive nerve, I suppose it all helps to make us feel alive.

Smother: How has Search and Rescue Records been to you guys thus far? They seem to be a pretty rad label to work with.

Jeff: I don't even know where to begin. Jon from Search and Rescue really stepped up to the plate with this project. From tour support, to moral support he is always right there. It's not just with us but with everyone who is associated with this label. All he expects is that you work hard in return.

Smother: Who sports the coolest tattoo?

Jeff: Haha, actually Neal and I are the only ones with tattoos so I might have a biased opinion on this one! I really am happy with this cassette tape i recently had done, but Neal does have this dove that is so rad.

Smother: Besides the Editor's Pick we gave your album, what else has been the coolest thing that's happened to the band?

Jeff: Is there anything "cooler" than being your editors pick!? We have had the amazing oppurtunity to work with Dow Brain and Brad Young of Underground Productions out of Boston. They came in and produced the album and added alot of knowledge about music and the industry. Really though, the best part about the band is all the people you meet on the road. I can always count on coming home with the greatest stories.

Smother: Any all-time favorite tours? If you could tour with anyone, living or dead, who would be the lucky groups or artists?

Jeff: Recalling favorite tours is always hard for me. Every tour always has its ups and downs from automobile breakdowns to everything inbetween. In the back of my head I always keep a quote that I heard somewhere that goes something like "without the sour, the sweet aint as sweet". It helps when something goes wrong and you want to flip out!

Smother: Do you miss your old moniker, Dinkus 9?

Jeff: Yeah from time to time. That whole situation was really hard because we had been that band for so long, and when we changed some people were not very happy about it. We had been doing the ska/punk thing for almost 7 years and I think we just lost out appetite for it. When your not hungry you lose your drive and it was just time for something new, and the new excitement that came with it.

Smother: Seriously, can anyone pronounce Neal Brodefuehrer's last name besides his dad?

Jeff: That cracks me up! He gets so much slack for that last name. Luckily he is the only Neal I know so I never have to worry about it.

Smother: Since pop-punk and punk in general has been flushed way into the mainstream, what do you think sets you guys apart from the rest of the crowd?

Jeff: That's a good question. Really the aspect that we take most important is our live show. I always love bands that are all about passion. For me that always sets a band apart. Also with the synthesizer we can always add that element that many bands in our genre don't have.

Smother: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians out there that want to tour and get on a label? Oh and also want to get the Benjamin’s and all the ladies as well?

Jeff: I'm still asking that same question! I would say develop your plan and jump in with no regrets. This is such a hard thing to do if you are balancing it with other things. Get out, get a crew that is about the same thing and just run. I have so many friends who are such amazing musicians, but they sit in their rooms upset with where they are at. Just get your plan, go and don't look back.

Smother: Most pundits are suggesting that this November's Presidential election may be the most important one in recent history especially for young people, do you agree and how important to you think it is for the youth of today to participate?

Jeff: It's so amazing just coming of a tour and seeing people all over the country talking about this election, or for that matter politics in general. I think it's very important to know that your vote does count and that this election is going to effect us all.

Smother: With the topic of history making on mind, we'd like to remind you that history is important or at least historians want us to think so. Who’s your favorite person or event from history? Yes obscure references to Mali are welcome.

Jeff: The most important person in history would have to be a woman by the name of Teressa Bellisimo who in 1964 created the first ever Buffalo Chicken Wing. Ms. Bellisimo and her husband frank owned the now famous Anchor Bar in Buffalo New York. Legend has it one snowy winter night in Buffalo, Ms. Bellisimo herself was trying to come up with a late night snack for her son Dominic. What she came up with forever changed the way people live. The Buffalo Chicken wing since has been awarded it's own festival appropriately named "the Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival". This celebration now tours every year to spread the amazing joy of the one and only Buffalo chicken wing.

Smother: Speaking of your favorite things, what's rocking your Playstation/Xbox/Gamecube? What about some good DVD recommendations? Any other good music, other than obviously the entire Search and Rescue Roster?

Jeff: Well I just bought the new Madden along with practically the rest of the world. I try to play Nick in the bus but he always gets so angry and throws my controller, we have to put him on time outs. We rock out The Simpsons season DVDs on tour as well. Since I have been home I have been blasting my HomeGrown disc, it is such a rad album to drive around to.

Smother: Are you guys caught up in the Olympic hype or are you avoiding it like the plague?

Jeff: I think the Olympics are great. With all the negitivity you see around the world, it is amazing to see people from all around the planet take part in such a huge event. It really seems to some what bring the world together, atleast for a little while.

Smother: We always ask this one question of all the people we interview to see who gives us the funniest or most interesting response--What would do/say if you met a guy named Carbomb?

Jeff: Funny you ask that question because I just met a dude named Carbomb last week! I ended up yelling ShimSheng at the top of my lungs and bought him a red bull.

Smother: Thanks for doing this interview and spending your valuable time with us for a few minutes. Got anything else you'd like to add?

Jeff: Just thank you to anyone who listens to a Bensin song. Whether you enjoy it or hate it, being heard is the only thing we can ask.

Links:

Official Site

Search and Rescue Records

Bensin Pure Volume site