Ben Verellen
Benjamin James Verellen is an American musician and audio engineer from Tacoma, Washington.
| Ben Verellen | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Genres | Post-hardcore, heavy metal, noise rock, country |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, audio engineer, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Bass, guitar, drums |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Hydra Head |
Career
Musician
Verellen's first role was as bassist of the Tacoma post-hardcore/noise rock group Harkonen which formed in 1995.[1][2] Harkonen released their debut album in 1999 through Wreck-Age before signing to Hydra Head Records in 2001.[2] The group's final release was Like a Virgin—a split release with These Arms Are Snakes— before disbanding in 2005.
He formed the country music/folk rock band Roy as a side project in 2002 with his brother Dave Verellen and Brian Cook. The group released two studio albums and a few EPs and has been inactive since 2006.[3]
Verellen performed additional bass on These Arms Are Snakes' debut album Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home,[4] and was also briefly a touring drummer in 2005 until he abruptly quit without explanation and was quickly replaced by Chris Common.[5]
He is currently a member of the experimental metal band Helms Alee.[6]
Other avenues
In 2000, Verellen began working as an audio engineer for many local Washington bands in his basement.[1] He later earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and started his own business building and selling guitar amplifiers called Verellen Amplifiers.[1][6]
Personal life
Ben Verellen is the brother of Dave Verellen—member of Botch, Roy and Narrows.
Discography
As band member
With Harkonen
- Harkonen (1999)
- Grizz (2001)
- Shake Harder Boy (2002)
- Dancing (2003)
- Like a Virgin (2005)
With Roy[4]
- Tacomatose (2003)
- Big City Sin and Small Town Redemption (2004)
- Killed John Train (2006)
With Helms Alee
- Helms Alee (2008)
- Night Terror (2008)
- Weatherhead (2011)
- Sleepwalking Sailors (2014)
- Stillicide (2016)
- Noctiluca (2019)
- Keep This Be the Way (2022)
With Constant Lovers
- Experience Feelings (2014)
As guest musician
Year Band Album Role 2004 These Arms Are Snakes Oxeneers or the Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home Additional bass[4] 2006 Botch 061502 Backing vocals[4] 2009 Pelican What We All Come to Need Guest bass[4] 2009 Narrows New Distances Additional vocals[7]
As producer or audio engineer
Year Band Album Role 2005 Valis Champions of Magic Engineer[4] 2006 The Plains Boy in the Mansuit Mixing, vocal engineer[4] 2006 The Vows Vows Engineer[4] 2006 Mastodon Blood Mountain Assistant engineer[4] 2006 The Helm Grim Harvest Engineer, mixing[4] 2007 Champion Different Directions Engineer, mixing[4] 2007 Lozen Enemies Against Power Engineer[4] 2008 Mamiffer Hirror Enniffer Engineer[4] 2009 John Spalding Loveland: The Beautiful Truth Engineer[4] 2009 The Nightgowns Sing Something Tracking[4] 2009 Narrows New Distances Producer, engineer[7]
References
- Cook, Brian (May 21, 2008). "The Business of Booming: Ben Verellen's Basement Amp Factory". The Stranger. Index Newspapers. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- Kergan, Wade. "Harkonen – Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- Mason, Stewart. "Roy – Overview". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- "Ben Verellen – Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- "For The Record: Quick News On Jessica Simpson, Hilary Duff, Maroon 5, Kanye West, U2, Fantasia & More". MTV. MTV Networks. August 2, 2005. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- Zwickel, Jonathan (December 5, 2008). "Metal band Helms Alee sees imperfection as a good thing". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- New Distances (CD liner notes). Narrows. Deathwish Inc. 2009. DWI77.
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