'Ben Reel Band' History:
Ben Reel is a native of Silverbridge, South Armagh now residing in Castleblayney Co. Monaghan, Ireland. He started his musical career performing & songwriting with “Trim the Velvet”’ before going solo in the late nineties. Ben’s first album “This Is the Movie” was released in Ireland in the spring of 1999 to excellent reviews and critical acclaim. The album was well received and enjoyed critical acclaim from press and radio throughout Ireland. Following the launch of “This Is the Movie” Ben released a three track E.P entitled “Exorcise Me” in the spring of 2000 as a taster for the second album “Lost In a Haze” which made it’s debut in November 2001. Both This Is the Movie and Lost in the Haze were recorded at The Attic in Monaghan under the guidance of Tommy Flack and Ronnie O'Flynn. During this period of the band's career they appeared on ‘The John Daly TV Show BBC1 N.Ireland, BBC Choice & TG4. The Ben Reel Band has supported Jools Holland at the ‘Waterfront Hall’ in Belfast, Michael Ball in the Odyssey Arena, The Cranberries in the Ulster Hall. Ben recently played Dingwalls in London with The Blockheads where together they performed the now famous anthem of the Rainbow Revolution entitled “U-People.” Ben wrote the music to accompany the lyrics provided by Rainbow George who composed the song as “the notice of redundancy song for all politicians.“ In 2004 Ben shared the bill with the Alabama 3 (Sopranos fame) in the Mau Mau Club, situated in London’s Notting Hill Gate. |
