Ben Gunn

[Black Shuck]

Hello. just wondered if wnyone had any info on Ben Gunn? What's he up to these days, why did he leave the sisters (I once read it was his own choice, as he thought the sisters were 'selling out'), and which of the early singles did he actually play on? Seems to be the most esoteric sister

Oh, and is it true that Von recorded The Reptile House EP entirely on his own?
Forgive my ignorance

[Dan]

Ben Gunn left at the end of October'83, so he'd be on any singles recorded before then.

[Scardwel]

except 'The Damage Done / Watch / Home of the Hitmen' of course.

[Ed Rhombus]

A few of us had a scout round towards the end of last year

Ben Matthews (Gunn) is a juggler as part of the Danger Brothers, they seam to be highly regarded in juggling circles and go all over the world.

Hence the old tag on the Sisters website ‘If you want juggling going see clowns, you know who they are’

In our hunt for this I disturbed a Doctor Ben Matthews, eco expert, and somebody hassled the Ben Matthews in Thunder!

[RobF]

For some unbeknown reason, Juggling upsets me great deal, as do poi, and street theatre smelly bugger activities in general, to paraphrase (and wildly misquote) Chuck D: " Ben, How low can you go?"

[Ed Rhombus]

Hey and that emoticon looks rather like the man himself

[Ed Rhombus]

In fact here's the original Sisters line up



Von, Ben, Craig and Gary

[6FeetOver]

In fact here's the original Sisters line up



Von, Ben, Craig and Gary

LOL! Good one!

[Karst]

Ben Matthews (Gunn) is a juggler as part of the Danger Brothers, they seam to be highly regarded in juggling circles and go all over the world.

I don't think Matthews was born in 1972 (http://nusjugglers.8m.net/benmatthews.html)

Nor does he hold a History degree from Oxford. I believe he works in Television Production in London.

[Black Shuck]

Anyone have any more info on the reason for messr. Gunn's exit? I'm sure I once read somwhere that he left off his own accord as he thought the band were "moving too far away from their original vision" or something similar. Has he ever been interviewed?

I must seem to be a Ben Gunn obsessive- I don't know why but I'm always strangely curious as to the whereabaouts of members of groups who leave before the band achieves major success. There's something tragic about it - Or am I just full of crap?

[Karst]

I believe he left the band sometime after the two US dates - citing creative differences (more commercial direction and AE perfectionism). He apparently went to the University of Liverpool after that and played in the band Anabas who released a couple of singles (Romance & Barricades). After that he went into Televsion production I believe.

[Quiff Boy]

I don't think Matthews was born in 1972 ( http://nusjugglers.8m.net/benmatthews.html )

no way! seems we missed that vital piece of information during our man-hunt/stalker session!

liverpool uni? music?

you think he bumbed into mark pearman while there?

[Karst]

You mean Mark Pairman, and I'd say not as LIPA was only founded in the late Eighties and it is not part of Liverpool Uni I believe.

[Ed Rhombus]

Doesn't miss a trick old Karst.

[Karst]

Doesn't miss a trick old Karst.

Eh, 31, is that old? Advice from the Young at Heart!

[Black Shuck]

So, does anyone know if it's True that AE entered the studio and recorded The Reptile House EP (my favouritest Sisters record) entirely on his own?

I'm not dissing Von, but if it's true it's no wonder Ben Gunn walked out

[Scardwel]

I heard it was just AE and Craig Adams who played on the Reptile House e.p, with AE taking care of all the guitar parts except the bass.

[Ed Rhombus]

Old as a friendly and familiar term, like if I was to say ‘old son’. Which, of course would seam a contradiction

But I am 28 so that gives me 3 years leeway

[Karst]

No worries Ben

The sheet that came with the Reptile House EP clearly indicated that it is written and produced by AE. Chris Sampson says on 1959 that he thinks Craig has written some bass lines for it. If so, he's not credited.

Found AE saying this about the Reptile House EP:

AE: [...] I thought the 'Reptile House' was, like, our finest hour yet, because it was the most serious record we ever made, but it was also the most perverse.  Everything about that record is perverse.  It's really slow, it's really long, and I just love the way all the, like, the lead lines hidden in the mix, involved in the effects, completely submerged, you really have to fight with that record.  And the last track starts like it's going to be a up-pot number, and the voice just slithers back into the mix, and the tune distorts itself, and when that's finished you just get a reprise of the beginning, it takes you right back full circle.  It's a very perverse record, it's part of the concept of the thing that there's no escape from the 'Reptile House'.  A lot of this does go over people's heads, they just think "Oh yeah, a long slow record."

Here: http://website.lineone.net/~garynaylor/canada.htm

Is Gary on these boards?

[Dan]

LOL, he wasn't born in 1972, that would make him 9 years old when he joined the Sisters. LMAO!

Ben Gunn was interviewed in ZigZag, Aug'84.

First, let's have the truth about the Sisters.
"I left because of personal differences."
Come now you naughty boy, there's more to it than that.
"The general band policies, which are obviously derived from one member began to stink."
So you set up a record label?
"'Flame On Records'. The first release was in October, with a band called Anabas."
Did the label you set up with the Sisters pay off money?
"Let's get this straight. I've received no money whatsoever. I'm owed hundreds of pounds and intend suing them shortly."

[Karst]

Ben Gunn was interviewed in ZigZag, Aug'84.

Could you get us a scan of that?

[Quiff Boy]

Here: http://website.lineone.net/~garynaylor/canada.htm

Is Gary on these boards?

indeed he is

http://www.myheartland.co.uk/profile.ph ... ofile&u=44

[Dan]

Ben Gunn was interviewed in ZigZag, Aug'84.

Could you get us a scan of that?

Yeh I'll scan it in later. I'll email it to you or something cos I've nowhere to upload it.

[Karst]

Dan,

Thanks!
Maybe Quiff can give you a hand in that.

[Quiff Boy]

Dan,

Thanks!
Maybe Quiff can give you a hand in that.

yep, just email it to me