“Rose City Thorns” may not be the most well known track from Portland band Benson Jones, but its title is probably more stylistically revealing than any in the local music community. This rock band that will play at Plan B tonight has an ear for punk and has produced quality songs that represent the genre well.
The four-man crew consists of Caleb Pollock on guitar and vocals, Zach Tessmer on guitar, Blaine Robichaud on drums and Tyson Robichaud on bass and vocals.
Front man Pollock also plays guitar in Rendered Useless, a band on Horns Up Records, which was started by Guil Halstead and Smiley Whiplash of My New Vice. The label has multiple bands from the Portland area and is considered a co-op, creating a non-profit network for bands to set up shows and locate resources. Flexx Bronco, who will join Benson Jones at Plan B, is a Horns Up Records band that is greatly anticipated.
“Caleb, the singer from Benson Jones is in another band on Horns Up called Rendered Useless and is part of the crew,” Horns Up creator Halstead said. “He usually plays just guitar, but in Benson he is the singer [and] front man. It’s nice to see him branch out—he is a very talented guy. What they bring to the show is great energy, a rock-n-roll appeal and a slide draw. I really like this band.”
Benson Jones started when Tessmer, Tyson Robichaud and Pollock were in a band called the Shit Whistles. Immediately following, the band became Losing Balance and performed and wrote music consistently for about 10 years. Though the band eventually broke up, a move to Portland by its key members gave the musicians new life and an opportunity to perform again in a thriving indie community.
“Blaine and I moved back to Portland in 2007 and started playing with Zach and Tyson…hoping our singer would move back and finish the ensemble,” Pollock said. “That didn’t happen right away so I took on the task of “singer” and that’s how it’s been ever since. We did a full length last summer called A.T.O.F.I.S. (A Tornado On Fire In Space) but didn’t really release it. We’re still sort of finding our sound, I suppose.”
Benson Jones has just released an EP called The Last Pull Tab, which is available on iTunes. As for the future, Benson Jones hopes to take advantage of all new opportunities by looking for shows and enjoying the chance to try new venues around the area.
“As far as shows or upcoming events? We’re available. We just take ‘em as they come,” Pollock said.
Benson Jones will be joined by California band Flexx Bronco and Kill the Kids. Flexx Bronco has a reputation up and down the west coast for putting on a great live show.
“You just have to see it,” Halstead said. “They bring their own light show, smoke machines and they have a drummer named Thor who wears only a loincloth while playing. If you don’t want to [be] covered in glitter from the spraying glitter machine, get out of the way. This is an exciting band.”
When you combine an eccentric venue such as Plan B with a studded rock lineup you can count on getting your money’s worth. Don’t miss a lineup lauded not only by the audience, but by fellow musicians.
“The other two bands, by the way, are entertaining as hell,” Pollock said. “Plus they’re great guys and hilarious onstage…It’s freakin’ awesome. Super catchy rock tunes to boot.”
With a community of endorsements as proof, this show is sure to capture northwest indie rock through avenues of pure musicianship and energetic performance.