DEAF BEN are a new transatlantic funk rock duo, consisting of Lloyd Birch and Dave Cotterill.
Lloyd, who is based in Los Angeles, and Dave, who lives in Stourbridge, are friends of more than 20 years, having met at college and later playing in bands together between 1998 and 2004. During this time, they could regularly be seen on the Birmingham and Black Country gig circuit, thumping out their own brand of funk rock, inspired by the likes of Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Reef.
In 2005, Lloyd moved to LA, and began writing and recording his own music. His first solo single – ‘People Say’ – was released in 2018 under the name Average Apes, with his latest single ‘Fade Away’ released earlier this year.
Dave went on to form and play in a number of other bands, including Into the Hurricane, My Own Agenda, and Left Hand Man, as well as writing and recording his own material.
Having kept in close contact over the past 15 years, the pair decided to reunite following the outbreak of Covid-19. For many bands and artists, the pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities. Dave and Lloyd put their time in lockdown to good use, channelling their musical creativity into their new project, Deaf Ben.
Despite being more than 5,000 miles apart, the result was electric and so the band’s melodic funk rock style was born. Dave and Lloyd play all instruments and record themselves in their private studios.
Deaf Ben’s first single ‘Sign it Back’ was released in Summer 2020 followed by ‘Kerosene’ in February 2021
Available on all major streaming platforms.
A new EP is in the works!
