BENTMEN – LIVE! Feb. 9th in Boston!

BENTMEN, the legendary Boston ensemble known for apocalyptic live shows that unleash a sonic and visual mashup of tribal alt-rock and theatrical performance art — reunites for its first full performance in 11 years on Feb. 9, 2018, at Somerville’s ONCE Ballroom, 156 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143

Founded by frontman William “Des” Desmond in 1985, the enigmatic group wrecked havoc across the local club scene through the ’90s and ’00s, appearing at venues from Chet’s Last Call to the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Mass-Cann Boston Freedom Rally, where the Bentmen left tens of thousands dazed and confused by the group’s provocative presentation.

Every Bentmen show is a one-of-a-kind event incorporating new stage designs and costuming, and the Once show will incorporate a broader group of alumni/guests. Opening the night will be the ethereal electro-pop outfit CMB, featuring Casey Desmond, who has carried her family’s musical lineage into new territory and performed before millions of viewers on television.

The group also will re-release 1996’s Patient Zero — which includes additional guitars from former band member Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie, The Cure), Adrian Belew (King Crimson, Talking Heads) and David Tronzo (Lounge Lizards, Club d’Elf) — on Bandcamp to mark the 20th anniversary of the album, which includes such classics as “Swanee” and “Bloody Benders.”

The Bentmen last appeared onstage for a stripped-down set at the Brighton Music Hall in 2014, joining such other reuniting bands as the Flies, Men & Volts and Anastasia Screamed in one of several shows that celebrated WMBR’s Pipeline! At 25: 50 Years of Boston Rock.

Tickets for the Once Ballroom show are available in advance at Ticketfly.

“Long before Blue Man Group, there was Bentmen” — The Boston Globe

“One of the most outrageous rock shows in the country” — The Village Voice

“Excellent musicianship… supremely weird stage show” — The Boston Herald

“Even I wouldn’t wear what those f***ers were wearing!” — Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler