Artist description The musical personification of the smart-ass little punk.

Music Style Pop folk rock with a garage band edge, occasionally meandering

Musical Influences The Replacements, Journey, Billy Joel, Peter Frampton,

Similar Artists The Replacements, Brian Sharpe, Peter Mulvey

Artist History Ever since hearing his older brother's Bon Jovi tapes in elementary school, Ben McGuiness' soul has belonged to rock music. His childhood was spent in Palos Hills, Illinois, a rough-around-the-edges suburb on the City's Southwest Side where young Ben's life consisted mainly of school, hockey practice, recreational crime and drug and alcohol abuse, and learning how to play songs by Zeppelin, Rush, and the Replacements on his guitar. Upon discovering girls in the 10th grade, he summarily dropped recreational crime. Ben belonged to a series of South Suburban garage bands that toured every available South Suburban venue, including parties in nearby Midlothian, Orland Park, Tinley Park, and Lockport -- always driven in Carla, Ben's beloved Chevy Astro van. Among the bands to which Ben belonged were The Wilds (1993-94, lead guitarist); Nuclear Thong (1995, lead singer-lead guitarist); and Mr. BackUP (1995-97). While attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Ben played a variety of open mic performances and took part in the frat party circuit with the bands The Federalist Papers, Rickenbach Falls, and Heavy Death Puppy Dog, a speed metal Billy Joel tribute band.

Group Members These days, Ben plays alone.

Instruments Guitar, bass, harmonica, electric organ. One year of Tuba in

Albums The Wilds: We're Wilds (1994), Talk to Us (1994); Nuclear Thong:

Press Reviews The Stagg High School Star: "The Wilds do have breakout guitar playing by Ben McGuiness (freshman), whose work on the band's cover of The Final Countdown is intricate and steady." The Palos Park Review: "Headed by Stagg junior Ben McGuiness, son of Mrs. Alice McGuiness and the late Rich McGuiness, founder of McGuiness Construction in Palos Heights, Nuclear Thong is another band ready to break out of the garage. They're having their first real gig at Dreams in Lockport -- from 7:30 until 11 this Friday. A cool break for a cool group of young musicians." The Daily Southtown: "Buddy's has signed what manager/bartender Al Smoot calls the next breakout star on the South Side. Despite being 'discovered' at an open mic night, Ben McGuiness' demo CD sounds like the real thing." The Daily Badger: "Last night's TKE-AXO "Lay in the Hay" Hayride Event did feature the excellent new work by Rickenbach Falls, whose members -- especially sophomore Ben McGuiness on guitar -- seem to be trying to make this more than just a cover band." The Wisconsin State Journal: "Ben McGuiness' new CD, Benji the Hunted, is the kind of thoughtful, powerful folk rock that might just get this 5th or 6th year UW senior discovered by a record label. Hakeem Records has shown interest, as has Biagi Music International. And rightly so. McGuiness might have what it takes." The Daily Badger: "Benji the Hunted shows that Ben McGuiness can be a talented young rock star if he puts his mind to it. Thank God he left those tools from Heavy Death Puppy Dog in the dust where they belong!"

Additional Info An unreleased album, "16 songs, all about Alison" is available for download only on Ben's website, www.benmcg.com. Ben's favorite hockey team is the Washington Capitals. He doesn't like football, but he is a real south sider. Go Sox, even though he knows you'll choke. And GO BADGERS. Special thanks to Buddy for help, advice and support. Additionally, Ben would like to say a hearty hello and thanks to his family and friends - mom Alice; sister Mel; brother-in-law Hank; niece Carly; brother Dave; sister-in-law Karen; and buddies Marv (and wife, Jody) and Al. Alison, he misses you but he understands. Please feel free to email Ben at benmcg22@aol.com.

Location Madison, WI - USA

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