Hit  Parader Magazine (September 2000)
Shooting Stars - Bands To Look Out For!

For anyone who's ever found themselves in the midst of a weekend “bender”, the name of this new Milwaukee-bread metal act seems extremely appropriate. Indeed, one would imagine that any band hailing from the Beer Capital of the World would have had more than a few benders in their day, as well. And judging from the sound and styler contained on their debut album, Jehovah's Hitlist, the band known as Bender know very well that their intoxicating blend of heavy metal riffs and blue-collar attitudes may well be enough to get any hard rock freak positively drunk with musical power. Vocalist Kent Boyce, guitarist Matt Scerpella, bassist Tim Cook and drummer Steve Adams have certainly downed their share of local brews during their time together, and now they've chosen to share their hard rockin' style with metal fans around the world.

“It may hurt us that we're not big, outrageous rock starts from the Big City,” Scerpella says. “But we're a projection of where we come from. Even if we'd never gotten signed, we'd still love music and we'd love writing songs.”

Formed by Scerpella and Cook back in 1995, it took Bender a number of years to establish themselves as a local club attraction. But once that breakthrough came, they fast became the party-hearty band to see whenever they hit the mid-western tour trail. Their emotive live shows finally led to the group signing a record deal in 1999, and within months they had finished recording the tracks that comprise Jehovah's Hitlist. From the frenzied power of “Fresh Daddy” to the overwhelming energy of “Breathe Again”, this is definitely a band worth staying sober for.

“Some people play softball, and some may have their bowling nights,” says Scerpella. “But for us, rock and roll is the thing. No matter what happens to us in the future, we know that we'll always be playing music.”