It never ceases to amaze me when I discover yet another incredibly talented local band that I previously had not heard of, and the Renton based Bench Grinder is a prime example of this phenomenon.

A playful wit permeates the music lyrically and instrumentally, with the courage to embrace an undeniable pop sensibility. Bench Grinder's EP Clean Is The New Dirty is full of upbeat alt rock jams that would make an excellent soundtrack to the already beautiful upcoming northwest summer, the kind you'll still be listening to next winter to reminisce on days of sun and clear skies.

Describing their sound as “what you would hear if Jimmy Eat World, Weezer and Fountains of Wayne shared a rehearsal space,” Bench Grinder brings an eclectic mix of influences to the table, as they say, ranging from Elvis to Nirvana. If Kurt Cobain would have had a happy-go-lucky Dr. Jekyll to his Mr. Hyde, it may very well have resembled the optimistic sound we have in Bench Grinder. Clean is the new dirty after all. Perhaps we should call it Prep.

Don't, however, mistake this pop friendly optimism for a lack of depth, lyrically or musically. With lyrics like "she's like everyone else / with her own set of problems / just like anyone else / she don't know how to solve them" from the ultra-catchy track "Regular Girl", the band's lyricist and lead singer Chris Collier strikes to the heart of even seemingly everyday normalcy. My personal favorite track, "The Streets Tonight" (see YouTube video below), is a hauntingly beautiful tale of a couple longing for each other while facing the challenges of a long distance period in a relationship, finding comfort in the same night sky that still connects them. Still, the up-tempo pop rock accompaniment infuses the sense that everything really is going to be alright.

With the web presence of a vitally modern band, be sure to check out the many exciting opportunities Bench Grinder is a part of:

Vote for Bench Grinder on Alpine Underground's Rock The Dash

Become a Believer and buy a share in Bench Grinder's opportunity for an album produced by industry elite on Sellaband

Catch them at the top of the Country / Pop / Alternative / Rock charts at ReverbNation