Bennet

Bennet is a British alternative rock band from Reading, United Kingdom, active from 1993 to 1998. The group is formerly named Meanwhile & Cooper. It forms in the summer of 1993 and spends its early period writing, rehearsing and playing live dates before finding its sound and signing to Roadrunner Records in 1995.

Early releases and touring

The band’s debut single, “If You Met Me, Then You’d Like Me”, is released in the UK in March 1996 and enters the Independent Top 10. Its second single, “Colossal Man”, also charts in May 1996 and is followed by touring with Number One Cup, Pusherman and Supermodel. Bennet is also approached by Fierce Panda for a joint single with Bis and Number One Cup.

Festival appearances and media work

Over the summer of 1996, Bennet plays to a packed tent at Reading Festival and records its first session for John Peel. The third single, “Someone Always Gets There First”, is released alongside the band’s first video, which features the group wearing sumo wrestler suits while chasing a woman across a beach. The Evening Session names the track its Priority Tune of the week.

Album releases and later years

The band’s debut album, Super Natural, follows and receives favourable reviews from Time Out, Top of the Pops Magazine and NME. Bennet then plays its biggest headline show at the London Garage, supports Dodgy in Europe and stages Christmas shows. In 1997, at Reading Festival, Jason Applin announces that the drummer is leaving. Later that year the band releases the album Street vs. Science and its title single. Bennet splits in early 1998.