Sex With Strangers – “Frontier Justice”

Sex With Strangers rocked the Biltmore Cabaret Thursday night for the release of their new album “Frontier Justice.” The room was filled with the aroma of sex and sweat with sultry sounds stirring the audience into hysteria.

 Several months after meeting Hatch Benedict at a local Gastown bar, I was surprised to learn that he was  the lead singer in a band, or so he said. I’d never heard of the group and wasn’t quite sure what type of music they were creating. I actually thought he was having me on but after checking out “New City Anthem” on YouTube, any misconceptions I’d had were quickly dispelled. I was hooked on their electro sound and haven’t missed a local Sex With Strangers performance since!

It was curious how confident Hatch was when he handled questions or compliments from patrons at how similar he looked to Jack Black. He’d even been asked flat out what he was filming here in Vancouver? He  was always calm and cool in response with “Sorry, no that’s not me.” I think only someone used to being front and center could handle this attention so modestly where others would have definitely played it up. I never would have suspected that this seemingly quiet and recluse figure in the corner of the bar working on his laptop could project such an array of vocals and stir crowds into a virtual feeding frenzy.

Over time I was fortunate enough to meet the rest of the crew and learned they are all key in adding vocals to numerous songs. I’ve always wondered how hard it must be to produce, write, rehearse and perform original music on top of 9-5 jobs. These guys do it out of a sheer passion for their art and an immense respect and gratitude for one another. True artists at every turn and amazing performers.

I vaguely recall Hatch leaning down during a song and handing me his microphone at a recent Cobalt performance. I tried to swallow it and Hatch simply replied with “That’s Gross” and picked up the lyrics where he’d left off. Integral to Sex With Strangers performances is audience participation. The band members will not hesitate to manoeuver through the crowd at any chance they have, even inviting fans onto the stage for the last song of the show…inevitably leaving the crowd wanting more and more as was the case this past performance. You may occasionally hear the husky lead singer order seductively from the stage “Can I get a whiskey please.” Fans, please do your best to quench his thirst.

“Frontier Justice” tracks have even been added to my training playlist for the gym and they definitely add more than a little boost to my routines. This music gets me going. Favourite song – Track 7 Image of Lust

Couldn’t you imagine “New City Anthem” as the new song for our Vancouver Canucks?

Sex with Strangers band members:  Hatch Benedict, Magnus Magnum, Wedge Beavers, Isabelle “Bobbie” Dunlop, Dallas Archangel