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Interview with Marcus Bently And The Beat Surrender
By: Caz* Bevan
 Cowboys and Indies has been one
of many themed shows put on at one of Provo's finest music
venue, Velour. A two-night show featuring bands such as the
Weak Men, Joshua James And The Southern Boys, Marcus
Bently And The Beat Surrender, Return to Sender, Palomino,
Band of Annuals, Mathematics Et Cetera and Neon Trees!
One of the newest bands to the line up - releasing their first
EP - was Marcus Bently And The Beat Surrender. Bassist
Branden
Campbell took some time to discuss playing with The Beat
Surrender.
NowOnTour: How long has MB been together?
Branden Campbell: Marcus and I have been working
together for about 18 months now. In that time we've been
finding the right guys and recording. We are actually doing a
short series of EP's I like to say - 2.
That seems smart. Why did you, as a band, choose
to do it that way?
We wanted to give the listener something that is easier to
digest on our level. And we think starting with five or six
songs is easier to commit others to, rather than a full length
right away. Plus, we had the idea to make one rock and one
more ambient and mellow. When I say "our level" I mean a
new band that not everyone knows about. We start with the
upbeat fun stuff, then we'll sweep you off your feet with our
other disc.
It's a great idea, especially for local-based bands.
Yeah no tours to speak of yet, but the Mother Hips invited us
out to Cali - so we're shooting for Spring tours.
How would you describe the band, musically?
Alternative Rock meets Americana.
How are you different from any other
Rock/Americana band?
Well, there are a few that we'd probably want to be just like,
but I think there are some that have a sound, or even a look
to go with it, but they don't have songs. I mean songs that
have a part that people sing along too. We have more
hooks. Our songs have a real pop sensibility to them, but we
play them as a Rock/Americana band.
Who are your influences that you'd probably like to
emulate?
The Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, REM, Tom Petty, Wilco,
early U2, Roxy Music and David Bowie.
Utah seems to be on the rise for the
Acoustic/Americana/Rock genres. Who are your favorite
locals? How do you feel about this new
"trend?"
I love it. I love to meet all the players. I think there is a
bond that comes with anyone over music. It's a great thing.
We love Band Of Annuals, Palomino and Andy Martin.
Who's recording your series of EPs?
We've been tracking it all in Marcus' basement. I so bad
want to call it "The Basement Tapes," but Dylan and the
Band used it years ago.
So Marcus has been producing most of it himself and I throw
in ideas when I come over. Scott Wiley has been helping mix
it. Know him??? He's famous. He's not really famous, but he
should be. He's worked on some great records in LA, and he
plays guitar with us. Scott's worked with Kanye West, Ryan
Adams and too many more. So his help is great. He's doing
a record soon with our friends Band Of Annuals.
So, the whole vibe of Americana isn't really to be
"famous" or so it seems - it's not the same vibe and goal as
your average band. So what's the ultimate dream for a band
such as MB?
To be able to make people feel good when they listen to our
records and come to the shows. Music should take you to
another place. There are so many people that play now, you
can go anywhere and hear music but we want it to be special
- a reason to put on your favorite shirt or shoes and go out
for the night. We'd love to get backed by a label and put
even more time into everything.
Do you think MB would stay Utah based? Or do you
see yourselves moving?
I could see moving closer to the airport, if needed. But we
love Utah. We've all lived in hotspots ala Los Angeles, New
York City and Las Vegas. Utah is where we've ended up.
Utah and Salt Lake City are a secret if you ask me. It's got
so much art and culture, but people can't look beyond the
conservative stereotypes.
Ronnie from The Killers loves it here. He's jet setting around
Europe right now, but will come home to Park City.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years - as a band
and individually?
We hope to be a career band and make good records over
the years. There are a lot of trends in music to jump on to
get noticed, but to have staying power takes more. As for
me, I look forward to playing the bass non-stop. It's really
all I could ask for [in addition to] good health for my family
and friends. Otherwise, I don't need much else.
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