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Steve Spithray witnesses the birth of the Teesside duo’s new album, Constant Noise
Image: Benefits by Tom White
Catching the end of a Q&A with Deb Grant, it is clear Benefits are in jubilant mood and why not? New album Constant Noise is receiving rave reviews across the board. James Adrian Brown opens musical proceedings with his jarring ambience, swarming electronica and sweeping 80s sci-fi themes and samples. However, tonight is essentially, if loosely, Constant Noise played in full; the atmosphere relaxed, friendly and even a little celebratory as Benefits prepare to head out on a short tour of record stores.
Despite singer Kingsley’s early nerves, Land Of The Tyrants is disarmingly catchy. On Missiles Kingsley channels his inner Freddie Mercury almost crooning the scathing ode to war albeit mired in vocal distortion. It’s raw but it’s also important to remember tonight is really just a taster, an amuse bouche, of the forthcoming tour and warm-up for what is a vastly different set. It’s beats we are interested in here – James Adrian Brown’s influence as producer on Constant Noise is strong – while the vocals are more performative (Burnt Out Family Home is another track almost sung) and Shakk pops up from the audience for his stint on Divide. Someone jokingly heckles that all the songs sound the same but with this new set Benefits are actually showcasing their versatility, so Dancing On Tables and the ghost folk of Everything Is Going To Be Alright offer a thrilling insight into where this band can still go.
Finally, there is just time for a quick run through fan favourite Flag (its toe tapping cowbell arguably where Benefits 2.0 was first conceived) and an unrehearsed Warhorse leaving this writer enough time to hop on the number 28 bus and be home in time for a glass of wine.
