The Benders Story

Blues Daddy started in 2000 as a ballsy 5-piece blues band playing original, traditional and modern blues. In 2002, founder Tony first met Keith when the latter joined the band.

The Benders were born in 2005 and have gone through various stages of development and personell. Oh that bluesy edge is still there, but the songs now range from current to classic rock and R &B along with a touch of country and some dance tunes mixed in every now and then.

Since their beginning, The Benders have adopted a few drifters along the way and taught them how to play for beer and smokes - like Bob-o in 2007.

Long-time member Tony moved to Miami in August of 2009 where he's living near the beach and having other adventures that we're jealous of. We hated to see him go but we found a perfect fit in phenomenal drummer and all-around decent guy Dave Batchelor, who joined us in mid-2009.

KEITH: guitar, sax, harp, vocals

CURRENT LIVE SETUP:
Guitars: Primarily Fender Custom Shop Strats - Jeff Beck and Rory Gallagher
Amplification: Orange 212 combo or Fender Super Reverb
Effects: Boss ME-50, Vox Wah, Hendrix Experience

MOST INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS:
Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan

FAVORITE BANDS:
The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin

FONDEST MUSICAL MEMORY:
Meeting Stevie Ray Vaughan. More on that >



DAVE: drums, vocals

CURRENT LIVE SETUP:
Pearl Masters Custom Drums, DW 5009 pedals, zildian and savian cymbals, audix and audio technica mics
 
MOST INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS:
Buddy Rich, John Bonham, Neil Peart, Billy Cobham
 
 
FAVORITE BANDS:
Led Zeppelin, Rush, Yes, Dream Theatre, The Beatles
 
 
FONDEST MUSICAL MEMORY:
Playing at the White House for President Reagan
 

BOB: bass, vocals

CURRENT LIVE SETUP:
Markbass SA450, Aguilar 410 cab, Tech 21 VT, Zoom B2
CertainBass P-bass, '73 Rickenbacker 4001, SX Jazz

MOST INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS:
Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Steve Walsh, Steven Wilson, Robin Zander

FAVORITE BANDS:
Beatles, Porcupine Tree, King's X

FONDEST MUSICAL MEMORY:
Backing up an Oompa Loompa singing a Quiet Riot song or playing two Florida weddings on the beach. Tough call.



Honorary Bender for all times

Tony

TONY: drums, backing vocals

CURRENT LIVE SETUP:
DW Collector Series, Craviotto snare (sweet!), Zildjan and Sabian cymbals, Sennheiser and Shure mics

MOST INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS:
Gene Krupa, Mitch Mitchell, Richie Hayward

FAVORITE BANDS:
Little Feat, Steely Dan, The Rolling Stones

FONDEST MUSICAL MEMORY:
Learning the definition of shoveling coal (the groove)