The Flood

There maybe more than one artist called "The Flood" This Bio is of the Australian roots band.

Famous rock'n'roll critic and historian Lenny Kaye (who happens to be Patti Smith's guitarist) once wrote of 60's punk legends The Remains that, "at any given time or in any place, I consider them the greatest rock'n'roll band on the planet". History and hindsight tell us that The Remains weren't necessarily the best band on the planet - but for a time and place their fans thought they were. And hey, what's wrong with that?

I have no hesitation in echoing Kaye's sentiments when it comes to Kevin Bennett and The Flood who, on any given night can sound as wonderfully awesome as any band imaginable. Hey, you got to be a fan to feel that way - but fandom comes pretty easy after you've seen The Flood. Here's a band who effortlessly segue through a huge swag of original material along with affectionate and heartfelt nods to many of their musical heroes 'n' influences - folks like Bob Dylan, Creedence, The Stones, Tim Buckley, Leonard Cohen and John Prine.

The Flood are a 4 piece band and have been together for around five years and have an impressive set of credentials. The Flood are Kevin Bennett (vocals and guitar), James Gillard (bass, Guitar, Vocals), Steve Fearnley (drums) and Tim Wedde (vocals, keyboards and accordian). Here's a band who know their rock'n'roll and country history backwards and have managed to assimilate all these influences into something fresh and distinctive.

The Flood are from Sydney, Australia but listen to their music alongside that of The Jayhawks, Wilco, Calexico, Son Volt, Sparklehorse, Whiskeytown, The Scud Mountain Boys - the leading lights in the so-called 'Americana' sound, and you'll find a similar international sound and appeal.

The best way to hear for yourself is to listen to some samples from their album, The Ballad of K.B. and from Kevin Bennett and James Gillard's Two. It's easy really - listen, buy, be converted.

by Stuart Coupe. Sydney, Australia