Eric Althoff
Richmonder Brian Penczak, who hits the drums for the group The J.O.B. [with new music coming Feb 8], decided that sitting idle during the pandemic wasn’t an option—it’s much better to rock out hard-core. This he has done with his new project, the B.E.N.I.S. COMPLEX, whose premiere album is called “Perspective.”
That’s also the name of the album’s opening salvo, a bluesy good time that segues nicely into the funktastic “Medicine Man.” For something really different, check out “What a Beautiful
Circus,” a category-defying song that demands to be enjoyed with a tall drink. Incredibly, Penczak even tosses in some reggae on the spellcheck-stumping “Eleventy.”
For our money, you need to tune in hard to “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love,” a funky, groovy
good time whose lyrics are actually reminiscent of the Beastie Boys. Check it out here:
A native of New Jersey, Eric Althoff has published articles in “The Washington Post,” “Los Angeles Times,” “Napa Valley Register,” “Black Belt,” DCist, ScreenComment.com and Luxe Getaways. He produced the Emmy-winning documentary, “The Town That Disappeared Overnight,” and has covered the Oscars live at the Dolby Theater. He lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with his wife, Victoria.
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By this point in his life, Foghat founding drummer Roger Earl has visited quite a few doctors. But what may be surprising is that the percussionist, 77, is quick to point out that many of the medical professionals who have worked on him also enjoy rocking out.
“Nearly all the doctors and surgeons I know, they all play something: trumpet, sax, violin, guitar,” Earl said recently. “There’s not too many drummers that are surgeons, there’s probably a good reason for that!”
Earl half-jokingly invites his surgeon-rockers to join him and the other members of Foghat onstage at the Fillmore in Silver Spring March 9, where they will be headlining the Rock and Roll for Children Foundation benefit for the Children’s Inn at NIH. Earl, the only original member of Foghat still in the band, will be banging the skins behind guitarist Bryan Bassett and other members Scott Holt and Rodney O’Quinn. “Slow Ride,” the band’s 1975 megahit, is all but assured to be on the setlist, along with tunes from Foghat’s most recent record, “Sonic Mojo.”
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.