Meet Henri Benard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Henri Benard.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My story is an on-going, ever-evolving tale. I would say I am living a life of unpredictability, and that is seemingly the best option for me. My story begins on the kitchen floor with wooden spoons, pots, and pans. However, my parents not being musicians didn’t quite identify my love for drums. When I was five, I got a guitar from Santa, but again because my parents are not musical, it was never once in tune (not that it mattered to me) and there were no lessons. I did love that guitar though. I would walk around in my underwear, cowboy boots and cowboy hat, and I pretended to be a rockstar while I “sang songs” to my parents and little brother. But things changed, and like several other kids at public school, I joined the band in 4th grade on clarinet. I wanted to play sax, but my parents weren’t down for the sax.

I lost interest in clarinet after a few years and then sat music-less for a few years in my early teens. I picked up the guitar back in high school but still didn’t progress a ton. Flash forward to college, and almost all of my friends were in bands, but I wasn’t and I wanted to be in a band so bad. I wasn’t qualified enough yet to play in the band on any instruments. However, I was qualified to be a singer in a punk rock band called Out With the Old. It was because of my first band, and even more specifically my friend Wasef who was the drummer of OWTO, that I really got encouragement to get into drumming, period. I bought a set of congas and djembe and starting tapping on everything and anything all of the time. And I do mean if I wasn’t sleeping, I was trying to get better all the time for the first few years. We even tried djembe in our punk rock band. Progressive, I know. Lol

Eventually, when I was 21, Wasef and I moved into a place with a few friends in Tempe, and low and behold, the house had a kit readily available to me in the garage 24/7. And man that first summer I had those drums around, I played them every day for 5 to 6 hours a day, in the garage, in the summer, in Tempe, no A/C. There was a lot of SWEAT! However, it was worth it. All of a sudden I could play drum kit for real, and it felt so great! I felt so great that I went out and bought a brand new Ludwig drum kit from Tom Schultz at Milano’s as a Christmas gift to myself later that year so I could really start my journey and begin actualizing my dreams. Finally, at age 22, I had my own kit. I am 37 now, for reference.

Once I got that kit, it was full steam ahead. It was the beginning of true drumming inspiration in my life. I have been a member of well over a dozen local, as well as internationally touring, bands over the since 2003. And if you count bands I have played even just one show for or sat in with, the number probably easily clears 40. And even though I am mostly self-taught, I can read sheet music, I know my rudiments, and have had several critical lessons on grip and technique from some great drummers, most notably from the mighty Al Pahanish Jr. (Former founding member Powerman 5000).

And it is because of drums I have played music in 47 states and 7 countries, with more national and international travel just on the horizon coming up. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without believing in myself and the drums!

Please tell us about your work.
I am a multi-instrumentalist and producer, so I love to create in a multitude of ways. The messages and inspirations vary from project to project, so I do not think I can give a straight answer to that. I can say that I think the reason I write music overall is to convey human emotion and connect people together through the human experience. I also hope to create a release for people. Music is such a great way to escape reality, and if I can help others achieve moments of release while sharing those moments with them and myself, I think I have achieved my goal. And I think in the world we live in today, having music as a mental, emotional, and physical release and outlet is more important than ever. And I truly feel my calling to provide that healing and release.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
I think the biggest challenge facing artists today is the sheer volume of music being released onto the internet, but I do not think this is a bad thing. Creativity breeds creativity. To be discovered, I think it takes a lot of savvy and luck. There are so many talented artists in the world that never get heard because they may not know how to market themselves properly or may not have industry connections. So just getting into the mix is already a huge crapshoot in my opinion. And getting into the mix is what I believe most artists pushing for a career would want. C’mon man, give the drummer some!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Well, from the performer’s aspect, I currently tour and play in several local groups.

Lately, I have been really into my DJ duo project, CHKLZ. I have also been way into DJing as DJ Ill Choppo (which is also my name in CHKLZ), spinning tech, future, and deep house, the world feels, and CHKLZ originals. I just love that music! CHKLZ released our NO WALLZ EP this past April, and we are currently working with new management, have a ton of unreleased music, and are excited about our upcoming shows in the next few months. We have a lot planned for that project.

I have also been blessed to still be touring the world extensively with my wonderful Nederinos in Okilly Dokilly as “Dread Ned” on the drums. We are a metalcore band that uses Ned Flanders direct quotes as our song lyrics. It is heavy, but also light-hearted, and just a ton of fun. It is always a high energy show, and there are certainly some Neighborinos lending out a ton of kinetic energy every night in the pit at our shows! 5 dorky gents in polos and sweaters and mosh pits…it’s a thing. We just released our album second full length album, Howdilly Twodilly, this past March and have been doing a ton of touring in support of the record, with upcoming shows planned for the West Coast (The Crossover Tour with MC Lars), UK, Europe, and Australia between Oct 2019 – Feb 2020, with more to come. Oh, and we just released both of our albums on VINYL, and our West Coast Crossover tour with MC Lars kicks off Friday, October 4 in San Diego. Check my website for dates.

You can also find me playing locally with The Hourglass Cats, Clint Stevens, and Dry River Yacht Club. Clint Stevens released our debut full length, Choice Chillington, on Roots Musicians Records this past June, and The Hourglass Cats recently released our latest single, “Esta Bien.” A lot has been happening in the music world fo me, and if I am in town, there are always shows to play with these awesome groups. Keep on the Arizona music scene… so much action!

In addition, I play drums as an ensemble member for Street Drums Corp and Dove of The Desert Methodist Church. I am a multi-instrumentalist for Essential Theater and Playback Theater Arizona and provide the Beats for a monthly southeast Asian internet radio called Zam Jamz. The music sure does keep me busy, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

From the educator’s side, I teach private lessons out of my studio in Scottsdale and am currently accepting a few more students. I am also currently adjunct faculty at Mesa Community College in Music Business and have been since 2012. I recently started a preschool music company called Wee Rock Music, and have a kids/beginners book for drum kit called “Wee Beats, Wee Eats” currently in the works and is set for release soon late 2019/early 2020.

Lastly, I currently serve as the Entertainment Coordinator for the Tempe Festival of the Arts. So, I really am involved in all things music.

And you can support my work by coming out to a show, taking a class, booking lessons, buying merch from the bands, coming out to the festivals or purchasing my new book when it drops. However, even better than monetary support, is moral support and spreading the word with your friends and families. In my opinion, word of mouth is truly the best advertisement and support an artist can get. It all follows the buzz babes…follow your dreams kids! Thanks for reading this article.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.henribenarddrums.com
• Email: henribenarddrums@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henribenarddrums
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/henribenarddrums/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/henribenarddrum
• Other: https://chklz.com/

Image Credit:
Main Photo: Ben Garcia
In Order:
Rolling Stone
Narrio Wright – Wright Photography
Renée Fourie
Ben Garcia
Image Credit of iPhone
Renée Fourie
Electric Daisy Carnival
Renée Fourie
Renée Fourie
Ben Garcia

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