Relentless7
| Relentless7 | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres |
Rock Blues |
| Years active | 2008-present |
| Labels | Virgin |
| Associated acts |
Ben Harper Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals Oliver Future Wan Santo Condo |
| Website | Official website |
| Members |
Ben Harper Jesse Ingalls Jason Mozersky Jordan Richardson |
Relentless7 is an American rock band, formed in 2008 by singer/guitarist Ben Harper. The current members are Harper (guitar, lead vocals), Jason Mozersky (lead guitar), Jesse Ingalls (bass), and Jordan Richardson (drums).
History
Harper met Jason Mozersky in the late 1990s when Mozersky was working for an Austin music promotor. Mozersky was chauffeuring Harper to a gig, and asked if he could play Harper a demo by his band, Wan Santo Condo. Harper resisted initially, fearing the music would interfere with his mental preparation for the show, but then felt remorseful and agreed to hear the demo. He was "blown away," and the association led first to a record contract for Wan Santo Condo, and then to a collaboration between the two.
When Harper recruited Mozersky for his album Both Sides of the Gun, Mozersky suggested his friends Jesse Ingalls and Jordan Richardson, then members of the Austin-come-L.A. band Oliver Future. The resulting sessions yielded the track "Serve Your Soul", and were the genesis of Relentless7.[1]
Discography
Relentless7 released their debut album, White Lies for Dark Times on May 5, 2009. Their Live from the Montreal International Jazz Festival CD/DVD set was released in 2010.
Tours and live performances
The group made its public debut at a "Get Out The Vote" benefit show on October 29, 2008 in Youngstown, Ohio along with the Beastie Boys, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, and Tenacious D. On March 23, 2009, they appeared on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly to announce the album release and their upcoming tour, performing the single "Shimmer and Shine".
On April 4, 2009, Relentless7 played alone and together with Ringo Starr, Donovan, and Eddie Vedder at Change Begins Within, a benefit concert organized by David Lynch.[2]
In April 2009, the band began a worldwide tour to promote their new album, quickly selling out (as the headline band) such notable venues as Variety Playhouse in Atlanta on 5/2; 9:30 club in Washington, DC (where the show sold out before it was announced); Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto (5/13); the Fillmore in S.F. (5/27); Webster Hall in New York; the Vic Theatre in Chicago (5/16), and Sydney Metro theatre in Australia,[3] headlined Bluesfest, Byron Bay Australia.[4] They have also been scheduled to appear at the London Forum; a birthday tribute to Pete Seeger at Madison Square Garden; the South by Southwest Festival; Le Printemps de Bourges in France; New Orleans Jazz Festival; the Beale Street Music Festival, and several other venues in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. They also performed on Earth Day 2009 (4/22) in Rome at Piazza del Popolo. They also headlined the All Good Music Festival on July 11, though their performance was met with boos and shouts demanding "no encore." Relentless7 was also featured in Halloweenabaloo, on October 31, 2009 at Union Station. Harper started out solo, was next accompanied by two violinists and a cellists, and lastly, to end the show, played with Relentless7. Linda Perry played beforehand. They also played alongside Ringo Starr on the January 12, 2010 episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and the January 13, 2010 episode of The Daily Show.
Reviews and reception
Their White Lies for Dark Times album was favorably previewed in Rolling Stone's "Spring Music Preview: Inside 45 of the Year's Biggest Albums"[5] and The Austin Chronicle.[6] It was released on May 5, 2009, debuting at #9 on the Billboard 200.[7]
References
- ↑ Huck Magazine - version 1.0 beta (1999-02-22). "Ben Harper | Features". HUCK Magazine. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
- ↑ David Browne. "Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Reunite Onstage at New York Benefit : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
- ↑ "Ben Harper & RELENTLESS 7". Metro Theatre. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
- ↑ "Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014". Bluesfest.com.au. Retrieved 2014-09-01.
- ↑ Mar 20, 2009 11:50 AM (2009-03-20). "Ben Harper Bringing "Unapologetic Rock" on New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
- ↑ Beets, Greg (2009-03-20). "Music: Spotlight: Ben Harper & Relentless7: 12:30am, Stubb's". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
- ↑ "Billboard Album Charts - Top 200 Albums - Music Retail Sales". 2009-05-30. Retrieved 2009-05-26.