With
hundreds of thousands of aspiring bands trying to grind out a name for themselves
in their hometown, their region, their nation, and their world at large, it
becomes absolutely crucial that a band find some way to set itself apart --
to transcend the notion of being just a garage band, being amateur, being a
copycat, or being another face in the crowd of wannabes. The Spoon Benders have
been working since 2002 to be so entertaining, so practiced, so energetic, so
creative, and so passionate about their music and their live show to make you
ask a question as you're walking out of the concert hall at the end of the evening
... "Other bands? What other bands?"
Legends Theatre at The Hard Rock Matt Winfree (guitar, vocals), Brian Bennett
(drums, percussion), and Yves Giraud (bass, vocals) are a power trio in the
classic sense of the word. Filtering rock and roll with blues, funk, folk, and
soul music, these three obsessive and somewhat loony characters strive to hit
you in the gut, the heart, the head, and the feet all at once so that you don't
know whether to dance, sing, laugh, cry, or just listen. At their increasingly
wild and unpredictable shows, you can usually find somebody out in the crowd
doing all five at once. They've opened for and shared the stage with Steve Miller,
Sum 41, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Dr. John, Sean Costello, Michael McDonald, Lucky
Peterson, and John Lee Hooker, Jr., and and have held their own with all of
these first-rate performers. They've been marketing their self-titled debut
CD since March 2005 and are currently working on a follow-up live record to
better capture their spontaneity, their humor, and their predilection to get
into some absolutely searing instrumental jams. They've won over the hearts
of the generally disinterested and anti-culture crowd of south Floridians, and
are beginning to move north to conquer every venue into which they can roll
a hand truck full of gear. "Stylistically, I guess we're a hodge-podge
of classic rock and American roots music. Try to imagine Albert Collins, the
Funky Meters, Paul Simon, Jeff Buckley, Jimi Hendrix, the Police, U2 and the
Black Crowes all peeing into the same bucket. Our pee would smell something
like that," says frontman Matt Winfree.
Sporting a collectively bizarre sense of humor, Winfree, Bennett, and Giraud
refuse to take themselves too seriously. "But we take music very seriously,"
reminds Winfree. "It is such a spiritual thing, and it's like the Force;
it can be manipulated for good or for evil. We've gotten a real taste of the
dark side down here in south Florida -- bands who play for the sake of image,
or just to get laid, or just to be like whoevers on the good old Clear Channel
playlist. Not that we don't want to get laid! But music deserves to be treated
with integrity, respect, and absolutely unflinching and devoted passion. We
play for the rare and exceptional person who understands what that means."
With a solid lineup, supportive management, the best, most loyal following in
South Florida, and having honed their live act by performing 4 to 7 times a
week since late 2004, the band is ready for the next level. They crave the chance
to shine in front of audiences unfamiliar with their unique show. The Spoon
Benders will play wherever and whenever they can. They will play acoustic or
electric sets. They will play a 20 minute original showcase or a six-hour cover
gig marathon, adding their own signature stamp to every song. Spoil yourself
and give them a listen.
MATT WINFREE:
guitar/vocals/shape-shifting capabilities Matt is the front man and founding
member of the Spoon Benders. He's twenty-eight, been singing since he was
in kindergarten, and playing guitar since he was twelve. His voice has been
compared favorably with Jeff Buckley's, Sting's, Bono's, Paul Simon's, and
Chris Robinson's. His guitar playing smacks of modern blues, and he cites
Jimi Hendrix, Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Walter Becker as several
of his biggest influences. He is a consummate perfectionist who is often hyper-critical
of himself and of the band. When he is satisfied with how the band sounds,
he's often hyper-critical of the typical South Florida audience that isn't
paying attention. He aspires to draw true lovers of music to Spoon Benders'
shows all over the world. His favorite people are people who "get it."
He has a small gambling problem. His room is full of books. Lots and lots
of books.
BRIAN BENNETT: drums/percussion/jedi mind
tricks Brian is the drummer for the Spoon Benders, and the youngest member
of the band. At 23 years old, he shows a generally above-average level of
maturity, both as a drummer and as a human being. He has been influenced by
speed metal, white boy funk and dub, hip-hop, and slightly off-center rock
music. He is currently obsessed with the Mars Volta. He has an extraordinary
intuitive sense of what direction Matt wants to take the band during their
extended jams, and while he occasionally overplays, his technical skill is
well-matched by an excellent swing feel and a sense of tempo that is rarely
lacking. He has been called "a brilliant drummer on the verge of serious
breakthrough" by Will Yancey. He has a dark sense of humor, and enjoys
The Family Guy and the bizarre cartoons of Englishman David Firth. He knows
everything you could possibly know about mushrooms.
YVES GIRAUD:
bass/vocals/fire breath and super-strength Yves is the most recent addition
to the Spoon Benders lineup. Hailing from France, this accomplished singer/songwriter/bassist/guitarist
has been playing in bands since he came to the states more than fifteen years
ago. He has had considerable success with several projects in Los Angeles,
notably as a rhythm guitarist in rock band New Improved God, moved to Florida
in the nineties and had a long run as front man and bassist for Fort Lauderdale
rock band Jadestone. Along with in-the-pocket bass playing, he brings a confident,
powerful voice and great songwriting talent to the band. He is a graphic artist
and illustrator, with several years of art school at Toulon under his belt,
and is not particularly good with money. He has a strange accent. He seems
to have carved out a niche in the Spoon Benders extremely naturally, whether
by laying his own stamp on the original material or by posing comfortably
for the Spoon Benders slew of questionably sexually-oriented photographs.
Sounds Like A well balanced mix of the incessant hum of a refrigerator and
Jesus striking down his enemies with his magical chainsaw of Nazareth