TheAndyBennettBand

Biography

Andrew Charles Bennett was born on the 2nd of Oct 1970 in Warrington Cheshire.

He started playing guitar when he was 14 because he was grounded for setting fire to a disused hospital. His father Norman bought him his first guitar which was a Hondo Les Paul. Andy actually wanted a bass or keyboard but decided on guitar as he wouldn't look good in front of a mirror with a keyboard.

The rest is history................

1984 - 1986

Andy started working in a caberet band called 'Roxanne' consistantly playing in working mens clubs all over the North West Of England.

1986 - 1988

Was a member of original rock band 'The Quest'. Represented the Uk in International Yamaha band competition ' Band Explosion' 1986
Travelled to Tokyo to perform in Budakan Stadium. Here they won best rock band and Andy received an Guitar Award. This was presented to him by Steve Lukather (guitarist for TOTO)
and Nathan East ( Bass player for Eric Clapton)
Toured the Uk many times playing the rock circuit.
Toured with ' It Bites' on Once around he world tour.
Andy became one of the main songwriters in this band.

1988 - 1989

Andy was involved in a car accident which left him in a coma. He suffered serious head injuries to which he lost his memory, and co-ordination. He had to re-learn how to speak, use his body, and re-learn the guitar.

1989 - 1993

Formed his own 3 piece band with his brother Gaz, playing original material. Andy for the first time now took on full responsibility of lead guitar and lead vox. This band featured ......... GUY COWEN.
The band 'Youthinasia' played and recorded all over the country for a four year period.
The band were advised by their agent, to changed their name as it was causing offence to elderly people of the social club curcuit in the North of England.

1994 - 1998

Andy moved to London and became involved in the music industry. Started working with jazz trio's playing in Chelsea, Kensington, Camden and the West-End.
Played with many great musicians during this period but his proudest moment was playing with drummer Gary Husband (BillBrutford, Allen Holdsworth.)

During these times Andy has some funny runnings with 'Celebrities' including a time when JKay was told to check him out at a musical residency that Andy had in Chelsea. Andy didn't know about him coming down. After Andy had finished playing JKay came over and shook Andy by the hand, and said the words 'Man can I call you magic!' Andy didn't recognise him, and returned the words 'You can call me anything you want man, have you got any fags?' He then replied ' No' Andy then said 'will you go and get some?'

He never got the gig!!!

Toured and appearded on T.V. (Top Of The Pops, TFI Friday, BBC 1, Chanel 5, MTV) with such artists as:
Kylie Minogue
Shauwn Maguire
Marcella Detroit
Howard New
Dannii Minogue
Kojo
LydenDavidHall
Celicia
Justine (Elastica)
Steve White

Appeared on Capial Radio and Radio 1 for live recording sessions for Marcella Detroit and Celicia.

Became member of Marcella Detroits Band for 1 year. Did Live T.V work for MTV in Japan.

Fronted John Martyn's band for two songs at the Finsbury Park Festival, London.

Travelled Europe with the Deftones on, 'Around the Fur tour'

1998 - 2000

Lived in Hollywood USA working for Australian best selling band The Superjesus. Toured USA with the band as main guitar player.

Recorded album for Innerscope artist Multi - Plug at Grandmaster studios Hollywood.
Joined the band and continued to live in USA. Here Andy came into contact with artists such as Julian Lennon and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

2000 +

Andy concerntrated on writing original material along with his brother Gaz Bennett and good friend Dorian Ford. The band which became 'The Merkins' went on to play all over the UK and record in London.
Andy left this band and went on to tour with The Fine Young Cannibals performing as an acoustic solo original artist.

To be continued....................

Andy now works for Radio Norwich for his uncle Alan!!!

Piczo