If you close your eyes at a Johnny Bender show, you'd swear it was star-studded.
The Auburn band strives to sound exactly like the original artists behind each song in its set lists. Singer and keyboardist Tim Stevens said they rule out any added embellishments and even refuse to play a practiced song live if they can't perfect it.
With three singers, Johnny Bender is capable of a wide range of authenticity in its covers, which range from mellow Beatles and Tom Petty classics to the aggressive rock of Rage Against the Machine and Metallica.
The band honed its talents during several years of acoustic performances. The absence of heavy, distorted guitars gave Stevens, guitarist Mike Bruton and bassist Chris Kowalesky a chance to focus on and perfect their own vocals, as well as three-part harmonies. Each of the three has been performing live music since their teens.
Those three, along with drummer Bob Sheltra, have enjoyed playing live music together for almost a decade as an escape from the daily stresses of life.
They have no intentions to expand far beyond the central New York area so long as the band continues to satisfy its appetite for on-stage fun a few weekends a month. With its library of more than 200 flawless cover songs, Johnny Bender makes sure its audiences share in that fun.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
Five questions with Tim Stevens, lead singer for Johnny Bender:
Q: What is your favorite song to play live?
A: Anything that's new. So “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters.
Q: What is the first concert you remember seeing?
A: The Beach Boys and Huey Lewis. I was 14.
Q: What is your favorite album?
A: “Van Halen I.”
Q: What are the band's biggest musical influences?
A: Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Q: Where have you always wanted to play but never gotten a chance to?
A: A summer concert in Weedsport.
If you go
What: Johnny Bender
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10
Where: Suzy's Tavern, 346 W. Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: $3
Info: Call 252-SUZY
With three singers, Johnny Bender is capable of a wide range of authenticity in its covers, which range from mellow Beatles and Tom Petty classics to the aggressive rock of Rage Against the Machine and Metallica.
The band honed its talents during several years of acoustic performances. The absence of heavy, distorted guitars gave Stevens, guitarist Mike Bruton and bassist Chris Kowalesky a chance to focus on and perfect their own vocals, as well as three-part harmonies. Each of the three has been performing live music since their teens.
Those three, along with drummer Bob Sheltra, have enjoyed playing live music together for almost a decade as an escape from the daily stresses of life.
They have no intentions to expand far beyond the central New York area so long as the band continues to satisfy its appetite for on-stage fun a few weekends a month. With its library of more than 200 flawless cover songs, Johnny Bender makes sure its audiences share in that fun.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
Five questions with Tim Stevens, lead singer for Johnny Bender:
Q: What is your favorite song to play live?
A: Anything that's new. So “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters.
Q: What is the first concert you remember seeing?
A: The Beach Boys and Huey Lewis. I was 14.
Q: What is your favorite album?
A: “Van Halen I.”
Q: What are the band's biggest musical influences?
A: Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Q: Where have you always wanted to play but never gotten a chance to?
A: A summer concert in Weedsport.
If you go
What: Johnny Bender
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10
Where: Suzy's Tavern, 346 W. Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: $3
Info: Call 252-SUZY
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