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Rick Bennett (bass, vocals) was living in Bloomington-Normal, IL, and had been writing lots of songs, but was struggling mightily to interest other musicians to join him in his musical pursuits. So he called his old friend John Maier (original drummer) and said that he was willing to log some miles up to Chicago (120 miles) for rehearsals in order to get a good project going. John Maiers old friend John Griffin (guitar) had also been bugging the drummer to start a band. And so it began in September 1996. It's ten years later, and FRANKENPONY keeps getting better and better.
The band recorded their eclectic, self-produced, full-length debut, VERBOSE, in late 1997, but John Maier left town for an opportunity in Los Angeles before the CD was released in May 1998. Even though the original drummer was a key to starting the band, Rick and John Griffin totally clicked both personally and musically, and they decided it was too good to give up.
Enter another John. Johnny Flamini (drums) joined the band right before VERBOSE was released. Johnnys drumming style was perfect for FRANKENPONYs trend toward heavier power-pop. So the band, with their new drummer and CD, played clubs in Chicago, the suburbs, and downstate in Bloomington through 1998 and 1999.
With new songs and a more defined stylistic direction, FRANKENPONY went back to the studio in the fall of 1999 to begin work on UNGLUED. They were determined to craft a higher quality recording this time and a lot more time and energy was taken in all aspects of recording, mixing, and mastering. UNGLUED was released in December 2000.
The band played all over Chicago and suburbs for a year and a half or so. All the while Rick and John were coming up with new material for the next CD. Since the band had plenty of shows to break in the new material, this meant an even higher quality product to come for the impending recording. Gigging stopped in the spring of 2002 and recording sessions began for what was to be the third FRANKENPONY masterpiece. In October 2003, MAZEL-TOV ROCKTALES was released and is their best recording to date with not only an even more defined style but improved songwriting and a higher quality recording. FRANKENPONY continues to write fresh material and to play Chicago area clubs. Theyve worked especially hard to make their live shows energetic and entertaining. You really need to see them! The band has just released their fourth album, HIDEOUS CREATURES!!!
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