Photo: Gries/Getty
On October 29th at the Chevrolet Center in Ohio -- where he joined the Beastie Boys on the Swing State Voter Awareness Tour -- Ben Harper debuted a whole new band.
"It's called Relentless7," Ben exclusively tells the S.S. "It's just a name that has been kicking around in my consciousness. I always said that if I got another band together, I'm gonna call them Relentless7."
In Ohio, the four-piece -- with guitarist Jason Mozersky, drummer Jordan Richardson and bassist Jesse Ingalls -- debuted new songs like "Fly One Time," "The Word Suicide" and "Lay There and Hate Me" that will eventually appear on their debut album, White Lies for Dark Times (due next May).
From the Village Studios in Santa Monica, CA -- where he's currently mixing the album -- Harper reports that the band's story dates back more than ten years. On August 22, 1998, Harper was in the middle of the HORDE Tour, on his way to a gig in Austin. "The guy driving the van on the way to the gig said, 'Hey Ben, do you mind if I play you my band's demo," he says. "But when you're about to hit the stage, you either want to hear no music, or music you choose, so I was like, 'Y'know, man, I don't mean to offend you..."
Then Ben felt bad. He told the driver, the singer from a band called Wan Santo Condo, to go ahead and play the demo.
"The guy put in the demo and I was plastered to the back of the van," says Harper. "It was so good."
Harper scored the band a record deal, and remained extremely tight with their guitarist, Jason Mozersky.
Fast forward to 2005. While Harper was recording his double-disc, Both Sides of the Gun, he invited Mozersky to lay down a guitar part on "Please Don't Talk About Murder While I'm Eating." Mozersky told Harper about a couple of his old musician buddies from Austin, who had recently relocated to Los Angeles with their band, Oliver Future. "He was talkin' up his boys and I was like, 'I'll take your word on it,'" says Harper. "Per his description of these cats, I had the right song for them." The next day Mozersky returned with Richardson and Ingalls, and together they laid down "Serve Your Soul." "In that moment I knew I'd be hooking back up with these guy at some point," he says. "And we did it.
"It's absolute, unapologetic rock music," says Harper. "It's rock music from the places that you want rock to be from. There's some Queen in there, and some Floyd-isms, and there's a good dose of Blues and Soul."
Relentless7 are gearing up for some lo-pro club shows in L.A. and New York in December, perhaps at tiny places like the Mint, or the Mercury Lounge.
The million dollar question is what happens to the Innocent Criminals, Harper's backing band?
"Dude, I've been with the Innocent Criminals a long time, and I'll always be with the Innocent Criminals," he says. "And everything I do now helps further what I do with them. But for the moment, it's just time to do something else."
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- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.
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George Jr. | November 22, 2009 5:58 PM
Dad what are u talking about he is fully sick and i love him!!!
George | November 22, 2009 5:56 PM
who is he kidding he can't sing and that is the end of it!!!!!
George | November 22, 2009 5:54 PM
i can't wait not 2 see them
Rich E. Blues8guitars | October 6, 2009 3:54 PM
After selling a few guitars to Jason and Ben At the 09 La guitar show, I thought I would do a little research on the band, whoa! I am so glade I did. Blusey with a awsome Original vibe. Play on men!
santi | May 6, 2009 2:33 PM
wow wow wow..relentless 7 rockkkkkk!
Rach | March 14, 2009 3:53 PM
How am I only just finding this out?! Lol..Excellent artist, but nothing beats The IC for me, amazing live. Expect brilliance with Relentless7
Richard Gardner | March 10, 2009 6:57 PM
I've had the privilege of seeing Ben play with the Innocent Criminals, and man, they rocked my ass off!! Had me dancing through the funk-fused numbers and always had me hooked through-out! Juan Nelson is the man on bass as far as I'm concerned!! I totally agree with Chris' comment from Nov 11th - they have some boots to fill dude! But I can completely understand what Ben means when he says that everything he's doing with Relentless7 will feed back into The Innocent Criminals; to have the depth and bredth that Ben's music does, you need new places you can go to, and playing with fresh blood can be just the thing....
I would however be totally gutted if Ben, Juan and the rest of the IC's didn't do something together again in the foreseeable future..
Looking forward to seeing Ben and R7 sometime soon, peace to all the guys past & present ;-)
SOLAT319 | December 3, 2008 8:10 PM
Relentless7 sounds delish! Do we really have to wait until May to hear the new stuff??
sharif | November 18, 2008 3:22 AM
I've been listening to ben for years and I'm sure this new band will be different but redefine the rock scene. I can't wait to see him at the Indy in sf. Ben has a musical ear that is equivalent to Mozart. Good for these guys to have the balls to stop who they knew was the best so he could here the demo. Have the courage to follow your path
Revelry | November 17, 2008 12:12 PM
I think a sound is about to sweep the g-strings tighter to a brazilian's but crack than we can handle. Let's do this Ben!
neva | November 14, 2008 7:45 PM
Jesse is the bass man. And he rocks. Thanks for signing him up Ben.
michelle | November 14, 2008 7:36 PM
Jason is absolutely amazing! Love listening!
Cathy | November 13, 2008 7:31 PM
Wow I am looking forward to seeing them. Jason rocks!
Barnes | November 13, 2008 2:41 PM
Maybe the best rhythm section in rock + MOZO + Ben Harper. This could very well be my favorite group and expect the record to be one of the best in '09.
James | November 13, 2008 8:36 AM
I've been watching Jason play guitar since his early days jumping on stage with Rodney Warner at Billy Blues in San Antonio. The growth from that guitar player to the current one is remarkable. Cheers, Jason.
Lil' Nash | November 12, 2008 9:52 PM
CONGRATS UNCLE PJ!!
Myles | November 12, 2008 8:02 PM
Musicians are magicians, and Ben just rallied with three of the best. Congrats gentleman. Jordan, Bree can't stop talkin bout the Milwaukee show. We'll be waitin for your next trip through Chi-town, or perhaps we'll meet up back at the Fort. Best to you all. -myles
The Jacob Family | November 12, 2008 6:33 PM
Congratulations Uncle Jason! You sounded great and we are all very proud of you! All of your hard work has paid off. We love you!
Paul | November 12, 2008 2:35 AM
Ben and Jason together, can't wait to see this in person, send dates Jason & congratulations, you earned it brother!
EZ | November 11, 2008 9:55 PM
MOZO (aka jason mozersky) Rocks!! he's going to wake up alot of those LA guys and get everyone to start playing old marshalls again!!!
ray | November 11, 2008 7:45 PM
they opened for the Beasties in St. Paul as well. I couldn't understand the name Ben kept saying at the time but this makes sense. It was straight up rock music, really good stuff, a lot heavier that most Ben Harper I have heard. Oh yeah they played Queen's under pressure and were joined on stage by Jack and Kyle from Tenacious D one of the shows many highlights.
Austin | November 11, 2008 7:21 PM
Im expecting alot from this group....Harpers always been my boy..
Maunder | November 11, 2008 6:54 PM
Congrats Jorts, Jesse and Mozo...can't wait to hear the stuff. Hope to mix it up w/ you men over the XMas break! Ben, you couldn't have picked better guys!
Katy | November 11, 2008 6:46 PM
Jason is amazing! Can't wait to check them out!!
Thom Sanchez | November 11, 2008 6:37 PM
Jason, Jason, Jason.
Your hard work is finally paying you back.
Take it all!
j5 | November 11, 2008 12:38 PM
woooooooooo!! I'm so glad that there is some band out there that wants to play "unapologetic rock music!" if you don't believe ben, go to their website and listen to the music he's got queued up there!
Ben | November 11, 2008 12:22 PM
Jason Mosersky is a god among men!
Yikes... | November 11, 2008 12:08 PM
His last few albums have not been very good at all...I'm not holding my breath on this one.
Steve | November 11, 2008 10:59 AM
Relentless 7 will knock you flat. Rhythm section is explosive, and Mosersky is pretty much a wizard.
chris | November 11, 2008 2:04 AM
The innocent criminals are close to the tightest band I have ever seen and are an amazing live act. These new guys have a lot to live up to on stage. I look forward to what these guys have to offer but really hope the crims don't fade away. Peace.
nashwell | November 10, 2008 10:04 PM
ben harper is a great musician... cant expect nothing but excellence from this new band!
sara | November 10, 2008 6:47 PM
I can't wait to see them!!! I'm so excited for Relentless 7!