Doko Benjo

Doko Benjo has nine lives. Literally.

Doko Benjo is a nine-piece featuring drummer Matt Spooner; bassist Rusty Ehler; guitarist Willy Wendell, and, deep breath -- Dave Schacht, Geoff Lewis, Jerome "Yeti" Spiering and Brian Ewing on saxophone, trombone, trumpet and trumpet, respectively. There's also singer Amy Totsch and vocalist and guitarist Cary Kanno.

"It's hard to find stages that fit us," Kanno said. "There are a lot of places we can't play." No kidding.

Spooner, who has a music degree from Northwestern, started out on piano at 4 years old. By the 5th grade, he caught on to the idea that playing an instrument a bit less refined might help him move up in the cool ranks at school, so he started playing the drums.

"Classical piano is kind of geeky, so I had to get something else going," Spooner said.

Bit by the music and hipster bugs, Spooner took to exploring his talents even more, so he picked up -- what else? -- guitar.

Kanno chimed in with a heated whisper, "For the girls ..."

All joking aside, wooing your love interest with a song is a timeless maneuver, but exactly how do the Benjo bandmates fare with an acoustic serenade? Spooner actually does OK.

"[It works] sometimes, you know, get a little Dave Matthews Band going on," he said. "I mean, if they're already in your place listening to you play ... it's better than 50/50."

Kanno has not done so well.

"I've used that a couple of times, the acoustic, but [my success rate] is much less," he said.

When they're not in the pursuit of romance, Spooner and Kanno hit the summer festival circuit with the band.

"We're a good festival band," Kanno said. "We've got the horn section; we're upbeat; we're family-friendly; you know, we make a good scene."

Listen to Doko Benjo's "Hot Soup'' at redeyechicago.com/chitunes. - Chicago Red Eye and Metromix and Chicago Tribune

Based out of Chicago, Doko Benjo represents a growing trend of musical amalgamation that continues to be explored by younger musicians with diverse musicaltastes and backgrounds.
With artificial musical barriers removed, the octet effectively explores the digestion of unique instrumental and vocal styles. The result is a tight, consistent and tasteful music palate that serves as the foundation for their eclectic song writing and vocal delivery.
“We have a voice as a collective band,” lead singer and guitarist Cary Kanno said. “We all bring our individual elements, but they tend to fuse together into a more unified sound. It is tough to balance all of these unique musical tastes, but when a song is brought into the group, everyone puts in their touches.”
Formed in 2004 as a loose collection of musical friends rehearsing for fun, Doko Benjo has honed their sound and developed a strong fan base across the Midwest due to their frequent summer festival touring schedule. - WEPA Web TV

A globally-inspired, horn-driven ensemble that you’d be crazy not to dance to. Elements of funk, Afrobeat, salsa, jam rock, and a pinch of hip hop make this a party waiting to happen. I have yet to see them live, but it’s a sound that’s built for the immediacy of a club.

- casual listening

To play the Acoustic Stage at the 2009 Black Swamp Arts Festival in Bowling Green, they had never played a “truly acoustic” set as a band. Considering their standard stage line-up of horns, drums, electric instruments and frequent use of softer hip-hop style vocals, performing without amplification appeared to be a big challenge in keeping with their adventurous musical spirit. Doko Benjo delivered an outstanding acoustic performance, leading the band to wonder if they should attempt more acoustic sets.
Based out of Chicago, Doko Benjo represents a growing trend of musical amalgamation that continues to be explored by younger musicians with diverse musical tastes and backgrounds.
With artificial musical barriers removed, the octet effectively explores the digestion of unique instrumental and vocal styles. The result is a tight, consistent and tasteful music palate that serves as the foundation for their eclectic song writing and vocal delivery.
“We have a voice as a collective band,” lead singer and guitarist Cary Kanno said. “We all bring our individual elements, but they tend to fuse together into a more unified sound. It is tough to balance all of these unique musical tastes, but when a song is brought into the group, everyone puts in their touches.”
Formed in 2004 as a loose collection of musical friends rehearsing for fun, Doko Benjo has honed their sound and developed a strong fan base across the Midwest due to their frequent summer festival touring schedule.
They are currently supporting their second full-length album release “I Say Disaster,” released in August. Kanno said the new album represents a different approach for the Doko Benjo sound, bringingin stronger rock influences, tighter song writing and better production values. “It kind of reflects the way we have gone and the way we have grown as a band,” Kanno said. “Instead of veering towards a pop/funk sound that the last album had, this one is much more in the category of rock.” However, the influence of funk, hip-hop and jazz sounds continue to be the backbone for Doko Benjo’s live show, and something music lovers of all genres can expect at their show in Bowling Green. - toledo city paper

BY TIM SHELLBERG
Times Correspondent | Friday, December 28, 2007

Unlike many aspiring musicians hungry for fame, Cary Kanno, guitarist for rising Windy City rockers Doko Benjo and jazz-hoppers Abstract Giants, is in no hurry to find his commercial peak with each of his groups.

"It seems like in both bands, we just keep going up and we haven't plateaued yet," he said.

"It's a slow, steady climb. It's not like there's been any skyrocketing recognition. And it's nice that it's been that way."

Opening for long-running eclectic rockers Rusted Root Sunday at Chicago's House of Blues, Kanno has spent six years up and down the frets for Abstract Giants.

The band has built up a fan base throughout Chicagoland with performances everywhere from Metro to Taste of Chicago, and in October, it released its second studio set, "Unearthed."

About three and a half years ago, Kanno got together at a North Side bar with a handful of longtime friends who were all fellow musicians and decided to form a band of their own.

Taking its name from the Japanese translation of "where's the bathroom?" ("It has a nice ring to it," Kanno said, laughing)," Doko Benjo is rounded out by vocalist Amy Totch, guitarist Willis Wendell, drummer Matt Spooner, bassist Rusty Ehler, trombonist Geoff Lewis, saxophonist Dave Schacht and trumpet player Bryan Ewing.

When pressed, Kanno described Doko Benjo's music as a hybrid of rock and funk.

"We like to try and push the envelope as far as pop and rock music goes," he said.

"We try to introduce different elements to our music beyond just the 4/4 rhythm, and we try to mix things up melodically and make the music more intricate."

Last year, Doko Benjo released a 10-song EP, "Kitty Litter." Members currently are at work on what will be their first full-length set, which they hope to release in 2008.

"Ever since we've gotten together, I like to think that we've gotten better and better as we go along," Kanno said.

"We're a lot better of a band now than we were when we recorded that first CD."

On Jan. 19, Kanno will join his Abstract Giants mates for a showcase at Chicago's Metro in online entertainment and gambling Web site Bodog's regional "Battle of the Bands" contest.

Winners of the nationally run contest, Kanno said, will receive a $1 million recording contract from the Web site.

For more information on the band, go to www.dokobenjo.com.

Sunday headliners Rusted Root continue to tour together on a regular basis as well as pursue individual music projects. The band is scheduled to perform Feb. 22 with award-winning Christian rockers Newsboys Feb. 22 at Merrillville's Star Plaza Theatre.

 - Northwest Indiana Times