About Driftless Pony Club

Chicago IL, United States Driftless Pony Club (DPC) is an American indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois. It was formed in 2004 as a result of a long-standing friendship of its current members: Craig Benzine (vocals, guitar), Matt Weber (keyboards, guitar), Sam Grant (bass) and Nate Bartley (drums). DPC has gained popularity through the vlogging activity of one of the band members (Craig Benzine - aka - WheezyWaiter) on YouTube, where his videos attract thousands of viewers. So far, the DPC has released four albums and an EP: 1. Janel (2004) 2. Cholera (2006) 3. Expert (EP) (2009) 4. Buckminster (2011) 5. Magnicifent (2012) Currently, they are associated with DFTBA Records label. What happens when a band delegates responsibility for every aspect of song-writing to every single member of the band for every song? Songs can be discussed, pulled apart, thoroughly reworked, and put back to together in up to two months before they are finished or scrapped. It's a long process. Driftless Pony Club knows that only too well. The band's four composers, Craig Benzine on guitar/vocals, Matt Weber on guitar/keyboard, Nate Bartley on drums/genius pills, and Sam Grant on bass, each have an equal say in the song-writing process. The result is often neatly structured, tightly performed, quirky, catchy-as-hell rock songs drawing comparisons to Modest Mouse, Archers of Loaf, Superchunk, and The Pixies. DPC's first album 'Janel' was a hit on Madison, WI's college radio station, WSUM, and earned them opening slots for touring acts such as Mates of State, Time Kinsella, Kid Dakota, and The Frames. Following a move to Chicago, DPC promoted 'Janel' with a self-booked tour around the Midwest and South last summer. Despite a car breakdown in Middle-of-Nowhere, Iowa, they viewed the tour as a rousing success and look forward to the next one. Lately, DPC has been playing shows in Madison, Minneapolis, Chicago, and the surrounding area, while at the same time crafting songs for their second LP. It is a hybrid of studio and DIY recording, featuring lush and layered rock compositions. The new album represents a culmination of 7 years of trial and error from this careful, bright young foursome. Look for a release in the fall, followed by a tour.