New Ben Franklins have always been about sonicness... if that's a word, and I don't think it is. Since the band's formation in 1992 they have always been about making some noise. Starting out as a drum machine-driven 3 piece playing music like The Sisters wish they could (but not nearly as great as the Lorries), the band soon added a live drummer and were off. During the mid 90s, the band released three albums and saw some modicum of success as a regional band, touring and garnering radio play in the Rocky Mountain region. From '96 to 2008, the band has evolved - through a string of bass players and drummers - to its current incarnation - David DeVoe on vocals and guitar, Mark Kosta on drums, Tom Oberheide laying down pedal steel and banjo and whatever else we ask him to do, Benjamin Williams on bass guitar, and the occasional wandering musician stopping in to play something else. The band's newer music has a touch of old country in it while maintaining its sonic (and loud) features. As DeVoe gets a bit older, his songs seem to float back to the music upon which he was weaned: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Marty Robbins, Glen Campbell, etc... and all those influences seem to be working their way into the music a bit more each day, building a solid country foundation into the noisy guitar-driven rock that the band has always played. The band is going strong in 2012, releasing a new full-length CD/LP in April and working on as as yet unnamed covers EP. The Franklins have always been well known for their live shows, and they continue to play regular shows in the region and make occasional short forays into other parts of the country to play festivals and make short tour runs. Call it noisy country. Call it Americana. Call it alternative country... It doesn't matter to them, as long as it's loud and a lot of fun. Super Sonic Alt. Country! www.newbenfranklins.com