The Morning Benders Plan Extensive Tour


The Morning Benders have recently added a slew of more tour dates to their ever growing schedule. The band already announced a few months ago their plans to play a number of dates, but now the tour has expanded all the way to next year. The Morning Benders’ newest release, Big Echo (+1/Roughtrade), which came out earlier this year, has been a turning point in the band’s career. The shows will feature the group as headliners as they travel through the United States, Europe and Australia. Take a look at the tour dates below. If you miss out on these shows you should reconsider your love of music.

The Morning Benders – “I Wanna Be Like You (Jungle Book cover)” by ModernMysteryBlog

The Morning Benders Tour Dates:

09-11 Berlin, Germany – Berlin Festival
09-12 Heidelberg, Germany – Karlstorbanhof
09-13 Cologne, Germany – Luxor
09-14 Utrecht, Belgium – Tivoli de Helling
09-16 Aarhus, Denmark – Vox Hall
09-17 Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser
09-18 Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik
09-19 Oslo, Norway – John Dee
09-21 Haldern, Germany – Haldern Bar
09-22 Dresden, Germany – Beatpol
09-26 Winterthur, Switzerland – Sazhaus
09-27 Eindhoven, Netherlands – Effenaar
09-28 Brussels, Belgium – AB
09-29 Paris, France – Nouveau Casino
09-30 London, England – Borderline
10-09 Dallas, TX – Kessler Theater
10-10 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
10-12 Tempe, AZ – Clubhouse Music Venue
10-13 Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
10-14 Los Angeles, CA – Music Box
10-15 Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre
10-16 San Francisco, CA – Fillmore
10-18 Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
10-19 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
10-20 Vancouver, British Columbia – Venue
10-22 Boise, ID – Neurolux
10-23 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
10-25 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
10-28 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
10-29 Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom
10-31 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
11-02 Newport, KY – Historic Southgate House
11-03 Columbus, OH – Basement
11-05 Toronto, Ontario – Mod Club Theatre
11-06 Montreal, Quebec – Cabaret du Mile End
11-07 South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Showcase Lounge
11-09 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
11-10 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
11-11 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
11-12 Washington, DC – Black Cat
11-18 New York, NY – Webster Hall
12-30 Hobart, Australia – Falls Festival
12-31 Lorne, Australia – Falls Festival
01-02 Busselton, Australia – Southbound Festival
01-06 Brisbane, Australia – Sunset Sounds Festival

The Morning Benders w/ Holiday Shores, The Luyas @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY – 4/24/2010


Excitement was in the air on Saturday night as boys in tailored jackets and girls in summer dresses and leggings flocked to the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. The second of three sold out shows in one week, and their only non 21+ event, The Morning Benders, and new Brooklyn residents, were ready to take the stage in full force.

Opening the night was the Canadian band, The Luyas. This band the night could have done without. The singer’s voice was not always pleasant sounding, even though I’m certain she was trying to make it sound ‘pretty.’ Nothing amazing stood out about this group, and it was obvious. If they hadn’t played, The Morning Benders could have done a longer set, and that my friends, would have been radtacular. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see this band because, well, they made me sleepy on so many levels.

Next up was Holiday Shores, who were extremely impressive live. The band was missing a few members that night and took on a couple of the guys from Twin Sister for the set. You couldn’t even tell they weren’t part of the band because they were DEAD ON. Originating from Florida (Is it becoming the new Brooklyn, Surfer Blood?), the guys made it up to New York for a one night only set. Nice. The crowd was into it, mouthing the words and dancing around. Things were really getting started.

Around 11pm The Morning Benders finally took the stage. Opening with the spacey number “Stiches,” off of their new record Big Echo (+1 Music/Roughtrade), the audience was howling. “You don’t know me by name,” echoed from singer Chris Chu’s voice. It was at that point chills went down my spine and I knew we were all in for a treat tonight.

The crowd seemed intent on every word, every guitar hum, every cymbal crash that the band had to offer. What we were witnessing is one of the greatest acts to have come out in the past ten years. Their harmonies are reminiscent of early Beach Boys records and even more prominent live than on their records.

“We’re going to play you our new album tonight, Big Echo,” said Chu and fans were noticably ecstatic to be experience nearly every single song.

I’m not sure if I could say there was a ‘standout’ tune of the night, because nearly everything stood out. When it came time to play their second single “Promises,” everyone was singing along. When the band promised us they’d play songs we can dance to, they started it off with “Cold War (Nice Clean Fight)” one of the most incredible and fun songs to hear live.

Throughout the show, only one old song was played, which was a slower version of “Damnit Anna.” No one seemed to mind it though and it fit in perfectly. They also played a new track called “Go Grab a Stranger,” which was amazing beyond words.

It’s amazing to me to see this band that I saw play a Puma Instore two years ago when CMJ took place (and they weren’t part of the festival), completely grown. The store wasn’t even full, and John Norris from MTV was sitting on the floor watching the band. Flash forward to today where The Morning Benders are one of the hottest indie bands around and their newest release is produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear? Talk about coming along way.

Amongst some personal song highlights of the night were “All Day Day Light,” “Pleasure Sighs,” “Hand Me Downs,” and of course, “Excuses.” For this song, Chu came into the crowd and sung to a few audience members as he roamed around the front portion of the floor. He really knows how to work a crowd, and you can see he enjoys every moment of it. So does the fans. There was no encore, and Chu told the crowd that the band would be in the lobby after the show to greet and talk to fans.

This is what makes me love music. This is what makes me love The Morning Benders.

CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW HERE

Watch two videos from The Morning Benders show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg

“All Day Day Light”

“Hand Me Downs”

The Morning Benders Release New Video for “Promises”


The Morning Benders are back at it again with the second video off their new record Big Echo (Plus One/Roughtrade), with the song “Promises.” This is the first music video by the band that doesn’t feature themselves, it’s also their most theatrical.

The video chronicles two young Bonnie and Clyde like characters…and by young we mean about eight to ten years old. They get into abnormal trouble for children their age and somehow get involved with drinking, smoking, triple x shows, bank robbery (under the name Morning Benders), cat throwing, gun toting, hostages, and ultimate death and suicide. It’s a bit heavy for video by The Morning Benders, but it is also hands down, their best yet. Who knew they had it in them?

Also if you’re in the New York City area, be sure to catch The Morning Benders at the end of their tour. The band will be playing tomorrow (Saturday) night at The Music Hall of Williamsburg and again this coming Wednesday to a Sold Out crowd at Mercury Lounge.

IT’S OUR ANNIVERSARY!!!

A year ago today we started this little blog that has taken off more than we could ever hope for. I’d like to personally thank all the readers, writers and interns who make this possible. Can you believe it’s our 1 Year Anniversary already?!

Super Congrats to Chris A. for winning our Modern Mystery prize package! I’m super jealous of what’s in there.

Today’s post will be brief. It’s the band that inspired me to start this blog. The Morning Benders. Enjoy your long weekend!

The Morning Benders Prep New Album

Some lovely news this week from camp Morning Benders. The band is set to release their second full length titled ‘Big Echo.’  The album was recorded after the brief winter tour this year with Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor. ‘Wow’ to say the least. Though there is no official release date for the record, we are sure it will be out on +1 Records by the end of the year, by early next year (according to singer Chris Chu). The Morning Benders are also taking their show on the road for the first time to Europe this summer along with a handful of shows in the West Coast (even one with Beach House). The band will be playing a few festivals in the UK with Lily Allen, Wilco and Grizzly Bear, a lineup not to be missed!

Check out The Morning Benders track titled ‘Hand Me Downs’  on their MYSPACE

Tour Dates:

UK/Europe Dates:
Aug 11 2009   8:00P
Dublin Castle 
London

Aug 12 2009  8:00P
Old Blue Last 
London

Aug 13 2009  8:00P
The Boogaloo 
London

Aug 14 2009  12:00P
Way Out West 
Göteborg, Sweden
http://www.wayoutwest.se/

Aug 15 2009  12:00P
Oya Festival (John Dee) 
Oslo, Norway
http://oyafestivalen.com/

Aug 30 2009  12:00P
SF Outside Lands 
San Francisco, CA

Sep 19 2009  8:00P
MusicfestNW Berbati’s Pan (w/ Beach House!) 
Portland, Oregon

The Morning Benders, ‘Heavy Hearts’ Live

The Morning Benders was one of our favorite new bands of 2008, and still Talking Through Tin Cans is in heavy rotation almost a year after it’s release. Is there a catchier record out there? Not that we know of.

The word on the street is the band is already in the process of recording their second album titled Big Echo that may be out by this year’s end. Nice. The Morning Benders are one of those timeless bands. They have a bit of 60’s vibe to them and the most brilliant harmonies we’ve heard in a long time.

I believe we have shared this months ago, but rewatching it today made it seem so new. Its our video of The Morning Benders doing their rarely performed song ‘Heavy Hearts,’ at their Puma Instore at CMJ 2008. The Morning Benders were also the first band we made cookies for….

Check out the video on our VIMEO  page

Check out our Band Interview page for our talk with The Morning Benders.

The band is also doing a few dates with John Vanderslice in May

5.17.09 The Partisan (w/ John Vanderslice)
5.27.09 Velour (w/ John Vanderslice)
5.28.09 Kilby Court (w/ John Vanderslice)
5.29.09 Hi-Dive (w/ John Vanderslice)