Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 28, 2007)
T HO M E E G S AF E L Y BY DEANNA UUTELA LIVE IN CONCERT: TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS ON SALE NOW! THURSDAY, JULY 12th • 8PM DA NORTH WEST UNDERGROUND EXPLOSION TOUR G-gangg, Remi Martin, TaeDa Game, Del Gato, Priceless, The Repps, 97211, Sykco, Da Real Uneek, Hec Gianni, S. James, Black Slapp FRIDAY, JULY 20th HIP HOP LEGENDS! MENTION EUGENE WEEKLY FOR A 10% DISCOUNT ( S U B J E C T T O M I N I M U M FA R E S ) 541-688-8761 DIGITAL UNDERGROUND Keepin’ It Old School Ben Rice sounds older than his years I THURSDAY, JULY 26th • 9PM sublime unauthorized featuting Q-Ball FRIDAY, AUGUST 3rd • 8PM Direct from Vegas The Men of Playgirl ® NORTH AMERICAN OUTLAW TOUR Casual Chic Club attire required 23 W. 6th (across from the Hult Center) 338-8787 • www.tabooeugene.com THE LANDMARK An Ocean view from every table 111 Hwy 101 in YACHATS • 541-547-5459 www.landmark-yachats.com Live at the Coast FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 9PM The Summit Underground Mike Riley brings in the blues from up the mountains SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 9PM King Mixer Rock and blues from Lincoln County, with the emphasis on Motown TUESDAY, JULY 3, 8PM Frankie Hernandez band A Latin tinge to its reggae, blues and rock tunes WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 TH ,1PM 3 bands from Brooklyn, NY With an alt country style JULY 4 TH , 9PM• Hookah Stew Fresh Fish/Italian - Authentic Oregon since 1911 • Open Jam every Thursday 6:30pm • 34 JUNE 28, 2007 their age. In the sultry song “Rosey,” Ben f you’re even remotely familiar with sings about a woman in a way that makes the phone sex profession, you under- even the most experienced woman blush. stand how voices can be deceiving. Daniel Rice brings a whole lot of class to Such is the case with the Ben Rice Blues the song, playing the sax with a Band, which sounds more like a bunch of heartwrenching soulfulness. His sax could scruffy middle-aged men than the clean-cut easily overpower Ben’s voice, but instead teenagers that they are. he makes it croon as if it is a backup singer. Looking like he would much sooner be The upbeat “Hang Up the Phone” is a trib- mowing my lawn than fronting a blues band, ute to the rhythm and blues style of such greats Ben Rice, 18, formed the band in the seventh as Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, who brought grade. Over the years the lineup has changed, a rock and roll approach to the blues. Mac and the group has gone through multiple Potts, despite being blind since birth, plays the drummers, but with five Muddy Award nom- piano with the same frenet- inations and three CDs in ic energy as Jerry Lee radio rotation, they seem to Ben Rice Blues Band Lewis in “Great Balls of have finally found the win- 9 pm Saturday, June 30 Fire.” ning combination. Luna • $5 Their youthful spirit has The band currently con- 21 + show attracted a much younger sists of Ben Rice on guitar audience to their shows and lead vocals, 17-year- than you would normally find at a blues con- old Daniel Rice on sax and harmonica, 15- cert. “Younger audiences have been appear- year-old Mac Potts on keys, Alex McEntee ing more. I don’t think it is the music as much on bass and Alex Ankeny on percussion. as it is the energy we put behind what we do,” According to Ben Rice, the band’s music Ben explains. “Also, the blues has had such a is a mix of traditional and contemporary large influence on rock that a lot of our songs blues. Depending on the song, you might have a similar feel to classic rock, which will hear remnants of Creedence Clearwater always be popular among teenagers.” Revival, Chuck Berry, B.B. King or Muddy Clearly taking advantage of the rock star Waters. “I don’t really seek out to sound like lifestyle, the guys traveled to Memphis, John Mayer and Dave Mathews Band or any Tenn., in February where they competed in of them. I mostly try to make it different the International Blues Challenge and from what other blues bands are playing. I stayed up until 3 am every night jamming lean towards sounding ‘old school’ more with other bands and locals. The guys will than contemporary though,” Rice says. be playing a slew of festivals this summer The members of the band have a matu- in Oregon, California and Washington. ew rity and professionalism rare among people
