Ben Johnson

Writer Mike Coppolino had this to say about drummer Ben Johnson: "After seeing him play drums, you begin to wonder how he walks around the house without breaking things." Based out of San Diego, Johnson's independent recording career includes the album Red All with the cleverly named band Tourette's Lautrec, released in 2001 by the artistically intrepid Sympathy for the Record Industry label. Johnson's other projects include the oddly monikered BLSCK BŸNNY, a group that sounds like two guys walking around the house breaking things. At least this much could be surmised from a lineup that includes two drummers. The sets belong to Johnson and thumping compatriot Jason Blackmore, whose showdowns with other bands include Gunfighter. Together the drummers lay down the bottom for what has been described as a combination of heavy metal and free improvisation. If that isn't noisy enough, the listener can move to Physics -- Johnson has been the sole percussionist at times, but the outfit has also boasted three guitars and two synthesizers. ~ Eugene Chadbourne