Benny Mayhem – Songs For Absent Friends

Benny Mayhem – Songs For Absent Friends

Benny Mayhem has covered a lot of ground, literally and figuratively. Written in a hotel room in the Austrian Alps, his latest single ‘Song For Absent Friends’ is both a tribute to, and a product of, the songwriter’s considerable world travels. From being a guitar-strumming teenager in his bedroom at the turn of the millennium, to a decade as the shirtless-and-writhing frontman of Perth rock monsters Project Mayhem, to performing 500+ shows in nine countries worldwide… the musical journey of Benny Mayhem has its own overfilled passport.

From a home base on the west coast of Australia, Benny Mayhem has toured the world in a way that few other artists have considered… as a wandering troubadour. And through this lifestyle choice, Benny has toured continental Europe twice and the UK thrice; working his way up from busking outside tube stations to the UK’s festival circuit within two years. But, more importantly, he has met people and seen places that have changed and forever enriched his life.

Both a hook-laden sing-along and a song from the heart, ‘Song For Absent Friends’ is an ode to the people that have helped shape Benny’s journey and, indeed, the person he is today. The track finds Benny embellishing upon his trademark folk-punk sound with some Sunnyboys-style Australian power pop and a touch of Californian punk.

Equipping himself with a new live band made up of Perth’s Terry Clayton, Anthony Valentine, Paul Marciniak and Scott Richardson, Benny Mayhem will be heading around Australia from this month into June, before heading back to the UK & Europe for festival and full-band shows, including a coveted spot at Rebellion Punk Music Festival.

Never one to have idle hands, Benny is also putting forward a state-of-the-art film clip directed by Steve Correia from Zulu Media. Shot in 4K Ultra HD and clocking in at over 300 hours of production, the clip is a Gonzo road-trip sci-fi fantasy featuring cameos from members of Project Mayhem, FAIM and The Caballeros.

Nostalgic, yet ushering in a new era, ‘Song For Absent Friends’ headlines this fresh chapter in the tale of Benny Mayhem while recapping the story that came before it. It is the perfect introduction of the shape of things to come.

‘Song For Absent Friends’ is out now via all good digital retailers

Sat 13 May @ Fat Louie’s, Brisbane, QLD (door sales) w/ The Flangipanis
Fri 19 May @ The Monkey Bar, Mandurah, WA (free entry) w/ Simon Kelly (band)
Sat 3 Jun @ Clancy’s Fish Pub, Fremantle, WA (door sales) w/ Simon Kelly (band)

Category: News