San Diego rock outfit Benches are turning up the intensity with the announcement of their new EP, Kill The Lights, set for release on May 23. The EP kicks off with its cinematic and emotionally charged title track, released on April 23. Known for blending poignant storytelling with layered instrumentation, Benches — made up of Anson Kelley (vocals/guitar), Ethan Bowers (drums), Evan Ojeda (lead guitar), and Charlie Baird (bass) — continue to evolve their sound, delivering songs that feel both raw and carefully crafted.
Following the success of singles like Monodrama and Violent, Benches’ new project leans into deeper, more nuanced territory. Standouts like Naive and the title track Kill The Lights showcase a band pushing its boundaries. The title track, written in a single night of frustration, is steeped in anxiety and existential dread, with Kelley’s repeated refrain — “All the years fade from my mind… it’s just a fantasy” — capturing the painful loop of trying to escape your own thoughts.
“At its core, the song is about fear,” Kelley explains. “It’s that common fear of making the wrong decisions and watching your life drift away from what you hoped for. It’s an anxiety-driven worst-case scenario, where you spot the ghost of your past and try to outrun it.”
The EP also sees Benches once again teaming up with GRAMMY-nominated mixer Martin Cooke, whose work has sharpened the band’s dynamic sound.
Benches’ rise is marked not just by their growing catalog but also by an expanding live presence. They’ve shared stages with Inhaler, Blossoms, and IDKHOW, played festivals like Shaky Knees, and are slated for Lollapalooza later this year. This summer, they’ll headline shows across the western U.S., bringing their new material directly to fans.
With Kill The Lights, Benches embrace their fears, confront their ghosts, and craft some of their most powerful music yet.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
May 18 – Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival – San Diego, CA
May 28 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
May 29 – Polaris Hall – Portland, OR
May 31 – Barboza – Seattle, WA
June 1 – Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC
June 4 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
June 5 – Lost Lake – Denver, CO
June 7 – Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
June 8 – Valley Bar – Phoenix, AZ
June 10 – Constellation Room – Costa Mesa, CA
June 11 – Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA
June 12 – Music Box – San Diego, CA
July 31 – August 3 – Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL
