Relentless7

Relentless7 were an American rock band, formed in 2008 by singer/guitarist Ben Harper. The band was composed of Harper (guitar, lead vocals), Jason Mozersky (lead guitar), Jesse Ingalls (bass), and Jordan Richardson (drums).

Relentless7
Also known asBen Harper and Relentless7, R7
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresRock
Blues
Years active2008–2010
LabelsVirgin
Associated actsBen Harper
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals
Oliver Future
Wan Santo Condo
WebsiteOfficial website
Past membersBen Harper
Jesse Ingalls
Jason Mozersky
Jordan Richardson

History

Harper met Jason Mozersky in the late 1990s when Mozersky was working for an Austin music promoter. Mozersky was chauffeuring Harper to a gig, and asked if he could play Harper a demo by his band, Wan Santo Condo. Harper resisted initially, fearing the music would interfere with his mental preparation for the show, but then felt remorseful and agreed to hear the demo. He was "blown away," and the association led first to a record contract for Wan Santo Condo, and then to a collaboration between the two.

When Harper recruited Mozersky for his album Both Sides of the Gun, Mozersky suggested his friends Jesse Ingalls and Jordan Richardson, then members of the Austin-come-L.A. band Oliver Future. The resulting sessions yielded the track "Serve Your Soul", and were the genesis of Relentless7.[1]

Relentless7 released their only album, White Lies for Dark Times on May 5, 2009. The group made its public debut at a "Get Out The Vote" benefit show on October 29, 2008 in Youngstown, Ohio along with the Beastie Boys, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, and Tenacious D. On March 23, 2009, they appeared on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly to announce the album release and their upcoming tour, performing the single "Shimmer and Shine".

On April 4, 2009, Relentless7 played with Ringo Starr, Donovan, and Eddie Vedder at Change Begins Within, a benefit concert organized by David Lynch.[2]

In April 2009, the band began a worldwide tour to promote their new album, quickly selling out (as the headline band) such notable venues as Variety Playhouse in Atlanta on 5/2; 9:30 club in Washington, DC (where the show sold out before it was announced); Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto (5/13); the Fillmore in S.F. (5/27); Webster Hall in New York; the Vic Theatre in Chicago (5/16), and Sydney Metro theatre in Australia,[3] headlined Bluesfest, Byron Bay Australia.[4] The band also appeared at the London Forum; a birthday tribute to Pete Seeger at Madison Square Garden; the South by Southwest Festival; Le Printemps de Bourges in France; New Orleans Jazz Festival; the Beale Street Music Festival, and several other venues in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. They performed on Earth Day 2009 (4/22) in Rome at Piazza del Popolo, and headlined the All Good Music Festival on July 11. Relentless7 was also featured at Halloweenabaloo on October 31, 2009 at Union Station. Harper started out the performance playing solo, followed by songs with a string quartet, and played with Relentless7 to end the show. Linda Perry played beforehand.

Relentless7 played alongside Ringo Starr on the January 12, 2010 episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and the January 13, 2010 episode of The Daily Show. Their Live from the Montreal International Jazz Festival CD/DVD set was released later that year. The final Relentless7 show to date took place at the Life Is Good festival in September of 2010.[5]

Reviews and reception

White Lies for Dark Times was favorably previewed in Rolling Stone's "Spring Music Preview: Inside 45 of the Year's Biggest Albums"[6] and The Austin Chronicle.[7] It was released on May 5, 2009, debuting at #9 on the Billboard 200.[8]

References
  1. Huck Magazine - version 1.0 beta (1999-02-22). "Ben Harper | Features". HUCK Magazine. Archived from the original on 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  2. David Browne. "Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Reunite Onstage at New York Benefit : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  3. "Ben Harper & RELENTLESS 7". Metro Theatre. Archived from the original on 2009-02-22. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  4. "Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014". Bluesfest.com.au. Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  5. "Ben Harper and Relentless7 at Life is Good Festival 2010". Setlist.FM. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  6. "Ben Harper Bringing "Unapologetic Rock" on New Album". Rolling Stone. 2009-03-20. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  7. Beets, Greg (2009-03-20). "Music: Spotlight: Ben Harper & Relentless7: 12:30am, Stubb's". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  8. "Billboard Album Charts - Top 200 Albums - Music Retail Sales". 2009-05-30. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
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