I'm almost sure that this whole Ben thing is an April Fools Joke. I don't wanna ruin it if it is but people are really buying into something that doesn't seem right. There's been no word (or even rumors) from Incubus sources, they already have an amazing bass player (and if he WAS leaving, that'd be big news), and Ben seems to be telling people different things (touring with Incubus, doign another album with The Roots, etc). If I'm wrong, I'm wrong...but I ain't believing this one until April 1st.
Maybe Ben was just on some "If I could hear people at my own funeral" type ish.
2. "I think we'll see when..." In response to Reply # 0
...folks in Europe make mention of him (not) performing at the shows. You did see the news page, right? Sorry, I don't think this is an April Fool's joke. ks
3. "RE: I think we'll see when..." In response to Reply # 2
What I'm saying is this...if my theory is correct, I'm sure Ben really needs the time off right now for something (otherwise, I'm sure he'd be playing)...he's not just sitting out to sit out. Like I said, if I'm wrong I'm wrong, but things don't seem to add up is all...
6. "I do agree it is strange..." In response to Reply # 3
...that things are so quiet on the Incubus front. Like, crickets-chirping quiet!! I do wish they'd announce something--I want to know why Dirk is leaving. I was just on a couple of Incubus sites and no one on their message boards has posted about it. I didn't post anything because I figure most of them wouldn't believe it. I doubt many of the people that post there know about The Roots or Okayplayer. But when the news does hit (from a source they'll believe), those boards are going to blow up! There'll be a bunch of "Who's Ben Kenney?" posts just like there used to be here! ks
7. "RE: I do agree it is strange..." In response to Reply # 6
Word...I just posted on IncubusOnline. Eff the haters if they don't believe it...but I'm bummed that Dirk's leaving. Dude's amazing. Also, I'm kinda irked that Incubus would steal Ben like that...but it's a business. I was hoping Ben was gonna be added as a second guitar player...I definitely think Incubus would sound dope with 2 guitarists (something I definitely wouldn't have said when SCIENCE dropped, but now it seems more feasible).
22. "Yep, you've got things buzzing over there now!!" In response to Reply # 7
LOL! I know, like I said when the original post came out, as a big Incubus fan (but a bigger Roots fan), I have mixed feelings about this whole situation. I'm sorry Dirk and Ben are leaving/left their respective bands, but I am excited to see how Ben does with Incubus. And I feel bad for ?uest having to scramble for a (temporary) replacement...sounds like he's none too pleased about this. If Vernon Reid is only likely to play Europe, it'll be interesting to see who plays the shows once they get back to the States. I was hoping Ben would stick around through May so I could see him at the Portland show. <pout> Really looking forward to Lollapalooza, though! ks
P.S. Is it just me, or is IncubusOnline Pop-Up Land!?! WTF!?! I had to close no less than 10 ads, I swear! Grrrr...
which is why im kinda miffed at that QUEST OWES ME HIS LIFE CAUSE HE AINT SHOW UP TO VIRGIN!!!!!!!!!!! post.
friday was nightmarish---shieeet---i'm still teaching vernon reid the show via cell phone as we speak.
ben is in incubus now--which means i gotta start from ground zero again (rebuilding show) so "pardon me" if i couldn't send a memo to the people who i owe an explaination---but i was juggling rehersing formats for the nyc guests (think "all for one" sounds easy? sheeeeeeeeit), and auditoning new guitar dudes, and changing clothes for show in 2 hours flat.
no ben is gone my friend--and i'm paying for it in sweat.
check the resume
organix-93 (from the ground up)-94 do you want more?!!???!-95 illadelph halflife-96 things fall apart-99 (the legendary)-99 the roots come alive-99 phrenology-2002 the tipping point-2004 (the roots present...) 2004 homegrown: the beginne
Damn...well, all things considered, I guess it does make sense. Not that this is any of your responsibility or business ?uest, but do you have any idea why Incubus hasn't said anything about this? A band member leaving is huge news...just curious.
Anyway, I appreciate the comment. It's not very often artists really interact with their fans, so even though I know you've heard/read it a thousand times, thanks for attempting to break down that barrier.
i dont know.... maybe it was a malik thing. maybe it was a dez dickerson/wendy melvoin thing. maybe it was a pete best (or was it guest?) thing.
(ask for references...)
on the real the way the news was broken to you kinda miffed me because we didn't know how to handle it. but i woulda definately thought that my dallas person woulda saw it strange that we aint mention it here first (i know cats can't wait to blurb exclusive news round here if we don't post it first)--however when i told them that in interview i thought i would at least have a 2 to 3 week window of which to break it to you guys.
(future note to my "okayfriends", if i say something kinda crucial note that we would like to break it first--even if i say it in an interview)
ok---im done.
check the resume
organix-93 (from the ground up)-94 do you want more?!!???!-95 illadelph halflife-96 things fall apart-99 (the legendary)-99 the roots come alive-99 phrenology-2002 the tipping point-2004 (the roots present...) 2004 homegrown: the beginne
>i dont know.... >maybe it was a malik thing. >maybe it was a dez dickerson/wendy melvoin thing. >maybe it was a pete best (or was it guest?) thing. > >(ask for references...) > >on the real the way the news was broken to you kinda miffed >me because we didn't know how to handle it. but i woulda >definately thought that my dallas person woulda saw it >strange that we aint mention it here first (i know cats >can't wait to blurb exclusive news round here if we don't >post it first)--however when i told them that in interview i >thought i would at least have a 2 to 3 week window of which >to break it to you guys. > >(future note to my "okayfriends", if i say something kinda >crucial note that we would like to break it first--even if i >say it in an interview) > >ok---im done.
Aight man. are you guys gonna add anyone new, or what? take another guitarist? not play songs with guitar in them for the live show?
Hey, Im a webmaster at IncubusOnline and I'm here trying to corroborate the source on this... I've been hearing rumors for weeks about dirk quitting or being kicked out or whatever... but nothing concrete.
Let me explain... About a month ago I got a message from former incubus DJ Gavin Koppel, he said something like, 'ask dirk what he's doing now that he got kicked out of the band'. Gavin can be quite bitter when it comes to talking about his former bandmates, so I payed no mind.
Now that this stuff about Ben is comming up, I still cant find anything that directly states that he'll be joining the band. Any type of reference would be much appreciated.
Hi, I'm Ryan...I posted the message on IncubusOnline...
There was a post on here called "Good News/Bad News" that wasn't archived and has since dissapeared. A member did an interview with ?uestlove and posted that Ben would be leaving the band to join Incubus as their new bass player (as the post above mine says, and what ?uest was alluding to up there as well). Besides what is on the main page about Ben leaving, there is really not much that's official. Qoolquest is The Roots' drummer, and has said in this post that Ben is leaving to join Incubus. On the Incubus side, as you know, nothing's been said.
About Gavin...I've gotten into it with him many times on the IO board, but this time he just might be right.
I have a friend in music that told me that Incubus is suing their label, SONY. Their trying to get out of their contract, it's causing problems with the band and that's what their primary concern seems to be. The announcement of a new bass player is probably on a back-burner until they resolve their label issues.
"INCUBUS might be taking a break for a bit, but that doesn't mean the band members are.... Mike Einziger and Jose Pasillas recently played a special show with The Time-Lapse Consortium (on January 24) at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. It was an instrumental voyage into the world of psychedelic funk and featured the musical talents of Michael Einziger (Incubus) Jose Pasillas II (Incubus) Suzi Katayama Ben Kenney (The Roots) Neal Evans (Soulive) and accompanied by an 11-piece orchestra! A special appearance was made by Brandon Boyd who joined the The Time-Lapse Consortium for two tunes including this one, "Certain Shade of Lounge".
14. "why hasn't anyone noticed who ?uest said" In response to Reply # 4
he was teaching parts to
the man is a guitar hero
* *
"in the luv shack with a nug sack and my rug rats who keep naps under they skull caps. pass around a bottle of sambuca and a hookah, there's even times when i look into the future. blazin' DMT with GFE. now don't be surprised when you seein' me wi
35. "RE: why hasn't anyone noticed who ?uest said" In response to Reply # 14
First off...this is my first OK post. I've been lurkin and checkin this site out for more than year now. I get exposed to more new music here than video and radio combined. So for that let me say, "Thank You". I had the opportunity to meet ?uest in St. Louis back in September at one of his DJ shows and I felt like crap when he asked me if I posted. So here I am...finally.
About me: 28, male, Attorney, guitarist, reppin the STL (and no I don't like Nelly) now living in B-more. Been listening to the Roots since Proceed and was hooked after the remixes of Silent Treatment!!!
Now...on to my reply:
I had the same damn thought when I saw this post. ?uest teaching Veron!?!?!!?. In my opinion, Vernon and Living Colour started this whole rap/rock thing (by mistake...the never tried to be a rap group althouth Vernon did do guitar work for Public Enemey). After them you had bands like Faith No More, Urban Dance Squad...and later Korn, Lip Bizkit, Linkin Park, etc. They all need to pay homage!!!!
However...none of them could touch LC musically. That band was a SUPER rock band. Every member was a master of their instrument! Vernon is a truly a guitar virtuoso!!!
29. "Is that the sound..." In response to Reply # 4
...of Incubus falling off? Just curious. Let me start it off by saying, yes, Incubus is a dope band. However, when a founding member leaves the band, something usually leaves with that member. I've never heard Ben play the bass, but Dirk Lance is sick, a crucial part of the early Incubus formula I must say. When the band's first DJ left, they definitely moved away from the experimental drum and bass sounds that made S.C.I.E.N.C.E. such a dope album. And Dirk Lance dropped some crazy ass bass on the album too. If you take a peak at Morning View, you can spend all day looking for that experimental side and never find it. It was like the band as a whole got minimized on that album to bring the vocals and (some) guitar to the forefront....and now D.Lance is leaving. I'm telling you, that guy was a crucial part of the formula.
And not to knock Ben at all...he did some dope stuff on Phrenology, I was really excited to see him continue with the band based upon what they came up with on the latest release. He seemed like a good fit with the band. Really, maybe his time with the Roots will bring some funk and edginess back to Incubus. As usual, time will tell, but I'm curious to hear what y'all think.
Does anyone know the deal with the guitarist auditions? I am a Philadelphia jazz/rock guitarist at Drexel University in the Music Industry Program, and I want to know how I can be heard. I know the whole Phrenology show (I taped the $2 bill show) thanks
?uest and some people in here took my post all wrong. i wasn't demanding an explanation. i just wanted to know what went wrong that you and black thought didn't show up. the people at Virgin didn't say a thing and just moved us along like cattle.
besides i wrote the post as soon as i got home. ------------------------------ a leader who does not hesitate before he sends his nation to battle is not fit to be a leader
Only by his actions can a man make himself and his life whole.
i need to see president Bush on the front lines like ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie battling musolini for freedom
Too bad I'll never see Ben performing with The Roots. I'm from Slovenia and I've been a fan since '94 when they had a show here. Last time I saw them was '99 in Munich and I'm going to see them this tuesday in Munich again. But I think Vernon will be great. That will be a Legend joining the Legendary. It just depends on the chemistry between them all.
18. "this is what I heard" In response to Reply # 16 Tue Mar-18-03 04:56 PM
that nothing has been confirmed with VR yet BUT that he and ?uest have been talking for a little while (a DAT recording of the Seattle show was mailed to him). What I heard is that if VR does play, it will probably just be for the Europe dates as he does in fact have an album that is about to drop and he'll be on the road supporting that.
* *
"in the luv shack with a nug sack and my rug rats who keep naps under they skull caps. pass around a bottle of sambuca and a hookah, there's even times when i look into the future. blazin' DMT with GFE. now don't be surprised when you seein' me wi
19. "damn, they'll be in Japan at the same time" In response to Reply # 16 Tue Mar-18-03 04:59 PM
that rules at least the Japan leg out
hah, just speculating
Vernon Reid Live Dates with Jack Bruce & The Cuicoland Express
4/04 Blue Note Fukuoka 4/05 Blue Note Fukuoka 4/06 Blue Note Fukuoka 4/08 Blue Note Osaka 4/09 Blue Note Osaka 4/10 Blue Note Osaka
* *
"in the luv shack with a nug sack and my rug rats who keep naps under they skull caps. pass around a bottle of sambuca and a hookah, there's even times when i look into the future. blazin' DMT with GFE. now don't be surprised when you seein' me wi
20. "hah! it says fuck you oka" In response to Reply # 19
who oka? im just playin. this no time to make jokes. i just hope everything works out. ben just fit. simple as that. it is as if he just showed up her one day, and was immediately accepted by us, the fans, as if hed been here since the beginning. it just shows the respect us fans had and have for ben and his work. i wish him luck, as i am an incubus fan as well and for that this is not a goodbye for me and ben, its just a 'see you at the next toronto incubus concert, b!' well, nuff said. i just hope ben keeps posting on okayplayer, his posts are so valid and witty.
peace, dgonsh
"anytime i state an opinion i state it's my opinion, and i back up why i stated the statement (time willing). so please folks you got to understand that it's not a good feeling to read a i'm not on his nuts comment. if i need some attention for my nuts i'll call a jawn." -Quest
How funny - just last week on another message board the topic was "List bands you really miss" and I mentioned Living Color, asking "What the hell else is Vernon Reid up to these days, anyway?" Guess I have my answer. Great news!
"There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers." --Captain Beefheart
21. "god forbid this to be a prank" In response to Reply # 0
i dont beleive that statement, but if by chance it were an april fools joke, i might go crazy after all the supporting things i said about ben and the group. this is why i cant believe such a rumor. give some credible sources, and ill take a gander/
peace, dgonsh
"anytime i state an opinion i state it's my opinion, and i back up why i stated the statement (time willing). so please folks you got to understand that it's not a good feeling to read a i'm not on his nuts comment. if i need some attention for my nuts i'll call a jawn." -Quest
23. "did you say, "you need..." In response to Reply # 21
some credible sources" ?
* *
"in the luv shack with a nug sack and my rug rats who keep naps under they skull caps. pass around a bottle of sambuca and a hookah, there's even times when i look into the future. blazin' DMT with GFE. now don't be surprised when you seein' me wi
not to make excuses, but all i was saying is i dont believe shit like that unless theres credible information to prove it true. quest, you, steve were enough to make me believe the statement was false. "i shoulda said i would find it appreciative"but i think ill move on and not dwell on the past. cool?
peace, dgonsh
"anytime i state an opinion i state it's my opinion, and i back up why i stated the statement (time willing). so please folks you got to understand that it's not a good feeling to read a i'm not on his nuts comment. if i need some attention for my nuts i'll call a jawn." -Quest
33. "RE: god forbid this to be a prank" In response to Reply # 24
i know, i agree. i meant sources to tell me that it was a fool joke, even though i dont believe it. quest is definately credible enough. i think you know what i was trying to say. well leave it at that
peace, dgonsh
"anytime i state an opinion i state it's my opinion, and i back up why i stated the statement (time willing). so please folks you got to understand that it's not a good feeling to read a i'm not on his nuts comment. if i need some attention for my nuts i'll call a jawn." -Quest
32. "ive always wanted to say gander." In response to Reply # 27
peace, dgonsh
"anytime i state an opinion i state it's my opinion, and i back up why i stated the statement (time willing). so please folks you got to understand that it's not a good feeling to read a i'm not on his nuts comment. if i need some attention for my nuts i'll call a jawn." -Quest
Is a guitar god, IMHO his talent would be wasted by performing with the roots, unless of course they changed it up so that the music is more guitar based...one minor complaint I had about having Ben in the group was I thought he was underused. Hearing Ben in the roots, I couldn't really judge how good of a guitarist he was cuz the roots show didn't really focus on the guitar. I remember a while back I heard some news that Living Colour was recording a new album, hope that is still happening...
"I’m like shot clocks, Interstate cops, and blood clots, my point is your flow gets stop." -Black Star "Hater Players"
Damn, I haven't posted in many many months, but I've been cruising the boards looking for interesting ish...
Ben Kinney joining Incubus, that's some shit. They're a dope band, but I hope you find a suitable replacement soon, ?uest. So I'm assuming the taping of the performance on the Chapelle show was done a few weeks ago before he left?
51. "RE: Vernon" In response to Reply # 38 Mon Mar-24-03 03:17 AM
checkout http://www.livingcolournet.com for most living colour updates. vernon's site : www.vernon-reid.com has not been updated since last march 2002; so those dates are/were last years information.
also fyi : living colour has been signed to Sanctuary Records and presently are recording a new album. for those that don't know as well, Will Calhoun and Doug Wimbish (drummer and bassist) are Mos Def's Black Jack Johnson w/ Bad Brains guitarist Dr. Know and P-funk keyboardist Bernie Worrell.
40. "Uriah Duffy" In response to Reply # 0 Fri Mar-21-03 05:31 PM
Coming through with a shameless plug... Sad to hear that Ben has left, but on a different note I have another idea for a replacement uh hmm, Uriah Duffy (dude is bad!!) http://www.uriahduffy.com/ that is all.
42. "RE: Since I was the ONLY one to call it..." In response to Reply # 0
This is the first post from a long-time fan who just booked his tickets for the April 12th show in Osaka. Interesting to note that Vernon will be playing at the same club two nights before. I agree with previous posts that you can`t add Vernon Reid without considerably changing the sound of the band. I guess I don`t consider the Roots to be a band that needs a guitar player, seeing as they tend not to empasize instrumental solos (during songs, that is). To add Vernon would seem to call for some more space in the songs for that kind of soloing. I am not saying that would be a bad thing, but it seems unlikely.
44. "RE: Since I was the ONLY one to call it..." In response to Reply # 42
I guess I don`t consider the Roots to be a band that >needs a guitar player, seeing as they tend not to empasize >instrumental solos
uh...when's the last time you been to a roots show?
check the resume
organix-93 (from the ground up)-94 do you want more?!!???!-95 illadelph halflife-96 things fall apart-99 (the legendary)-99 the roots come alive-99 phrenology-2002 the tipping point-2004 (the roots present...) 2004 homegrown: the beginne
45. "RE: Since I was the ONLY one to call it..." In response to Reply # 44
> I guess I don`t consider the Roots to be a band that >>needs a guitar player, seeing as they tend not to empasize >>instrumental solos > >uh...when's the last time you been to a roots show?
HEY QUEST!
Is there anywhere I could send a cd to audition??? I'd love the opportunity to show what I could bring to the overall musicianship of the band...and I feel I got the skills ta' boot. You probably get requests like this all the time, right? I'm from Seattle, but I can totally email some audio clips...I'll do anything to audition. Thank you for your time!
49. "RE: Since I was the ONLY one to call it..." In response to Reply # 44
OK. I am an idiot. It HAS been quite a while, in fact, impossibly long as I calculate it (with an unknown Macy Gray opening, under a tent in Boston, Everlast??? that WAS a long time ago). and, as I further realize that your question was rhetorical, I think I should probably just shut the hell up.
but, i do think of the roots instrumentally as collectively playing without a focus on one instrumentalist at a time (aside from literal solos where there is nobody else playing), with occasional exceptions. my comment was more directed to solos within songs. a lot of the live stuff has really musically interesting intros, outros and segues, often featuring less than the whole band, but i never listen to a roots song waiting for the instrumental solos (though definitely listening for what the instrumentalists are going to do). that`s just my perception from what i have heard. i am probably completely wrong, and i look forward to hearing how the band sounds in Osaka. thanks for coming over here!
change 3 times a year. slowly but surely. indeed a guitarist is vital to show.
check the resume
organix-93 (from the ground up)-94 do you want more?!!???!-95 illadelph halflife-96 things fall apart-99 (the legendary)-99 the roots come alive-99 phrenology-2002 the tipping point-2004 (the roots present...) 2004 homegrown: the beginne
47. "I need ya'll to be specific for me..." In response to Reply # 0
im a SERIOUS fan of incubus, and i've done some traveling between here and there (there being incubus' main site, enjoyincubus.com). to read this is kinda odd...
i just want to know... because ben did a show with 2 of the members of incubus under the non-de-plume "time-lapse consortium." so is Quest talking about Ben playing thoses gigs or is he talking about incubus as a WHOLE?
48. "About the long term" In response to Reply # 47
Will the replacement be someone with tie-ins from the OKP family (a Jeff Lee Johnson, perhaps)? or another unknown as the aforementioned whom we all learned to appreciate (unnamed to kill off those freaky April Fool vibe ? Just curious. Feel free to create preposterous rumors. Oh, and hi with a cherry on pop.
"...touch football sometime?" Kerouac
"When the going gets tough, the tough turn pro" HST
organix-93 (from the ground up)-94 do you want more?!!???!-95 illadelph halflife-96 things fall apart-99 (the legendary)-99 the roots come alive-99 phrenology-2002 the tipping point-2004 (the roots present...) 2004 homegrown: the beginne
59. "no word quest, yet" In response to Reply # 55
the only thing on their web site metioning it is on the boards, from ryan of okayplayer, the guy who posted this. he posted it there, and it didnt turn many heads. most inuheads havent responded to the news positively, optomistically, or happy about ben. they dont believe it.
peace, dgonsh
"anytime i state an opinion i state it's my opinion, and i back up why i stated the statement (time willing). so please folks you got to understand that it's not a good feeling to read a i'm not on his nuts comment. if i need some attention for my nuts i'll call a jawn." -Quest
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? Just curious. Feel free to create preposterous rumors. Oh, and hi with a cherry on pop.
