In a matter of weeks Ben-Hur was assembled under the initial name 'youngblood' for the purpose of their blooming winter showcase.

Coal engineer and native Kiwi Jeremy Wishart is no stranger to the music scene, yet he claims to have never participated in a musical project that solidified so quickly and strongly in the diversity and ability that Ben-Hur boasts. His lead guitar and catchy lyrics caught fire in feet of those who's motion dispelled an otherwise cold, mountain darkness as he assembled this surprisingly tight group of wandering musicians from the corners of the earth.

Following full days of labor as a carpenter's apprentice on Australia's Gold Coast, Ian Bolzineus watched the sun set from atop the corrugated iron roof of his self described 'unregistered dwelling.' This undivided time was alloted to the drinking of beer and the absolutely mastering of his guitar. Playing bass in this mountain band became one more rite of passage from a hammer-swinger to that of an incredibly humble and talented guitarist in his unmatched knowledge, ability, and genre flexibility.

Joe Lieske happened into Fernie while pursuing a breakaway from the everyday life in the Midwest. A winter's employment as a church janitor gave access to the tiny town's only grand piano and consistently available practice space. The band's youngest member, he twisted fourteen years of piano experience to fit and fill the many genres this dexterous band would produce. Joe and Jeremy would also work to write music oriented to the addition of Lieske's accordion.

Dion Pfisterer left a job as a P.E. teacher in Australia for a season of shredding Canadian Rocky Mountain alpine powder and who's drumming skill was noticed by Jeremy at an open mic at the local pub. A drummer who can beat as well as he shreds is indeed a valuable find.


Before the winter ended the foursome headed to Kalispell, Montana, to record their E.P. Soon afterwards, the snow finished falling in the mountains they disbanded, for now, seeing Jeremy stay in town, Ian heading for Mexico on a motorcycle, Joe continuing his year-plus vagabond journey, and Dion roadtripping from snow shredding to summer shralping adventures on the coast and beyond.


http://www.myspace.com/benhurmountain

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