Ben Chambers leaves TLG

[leith]

A MESSAGE FROM BEN & TEA LEAF GREEN     
After ten great years on the road as a touring musician, I have come to the realization that this life is not for me. As a result, I have decided to leave Tea Leaf Green to pursue some of my life’s other passions. I wish my brothers in the band only the best. Their future is surely bright. Most of all, I am so grateful to my family, friends, and fans. You’ve always encouraged my free spirit; thanks for your continued support.

Ben C.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


In any band, there exists a dynamic between the collective’s goals and those of the individual members. At times, aspirations that were once aligned, diverge. This is one of those times. We support Ben’s decision without reservation and wish him only the best. We know he put his heart and soul into thinking this through, just like he did with Tea Leaf Green these past ten years; we admire Ben for staying true to himself.

As one chapter ends, so another begins. In this moment of transition, we’ve reached out to our good friend, Reed Mathis, who enthusiastically accepted the torch. Please join us in Santa Cruz as we welcome Reed to the band. Let’s get this show on the road!

Tea Leaf Green

WOW.
Ben will be missed but Reed is a monster on Bass so I am very interested in hearing what\'s next for these guys!

[DocEllis70]

maaan    ...  he plays the bass like he\'s ripping guitar solos.  he\'ll blow some minds. JFJO doesnt have any dates in the future either i dont think.. wonder if theyll still play

[oldnewbie]

wow....im very surprised. i did feel he was maybe the weak link. hard to see walking away from a band that\'s going nowhere but up at the moment.

[peaches626]

TLG is okay, sometimes great, sometimes not so much. they did have a great late night show at mt jam in june. however, i remember seeing them in an interview at bonnarroo and they said they dont really like playing the music that they do. the bassist is all about rap, the guitarist is more heavy metal, the pianist is into euro-crap. they said they dont dig the "hippy" scene, but yet who comes to their shows.

Sorry but I have to call you on this one. Interview link please. I beg you to show me where any member of the band says they do not like playing the music that they play. That is utter B.S. and if you cannot give a valid source you are just full of shit. I believe your memory of that interview is poor.

For your information TLG has forum member only shows in which forum members are allotted first dibs for special intimate shows in places like Noe Valley Ministry and San Geronimo Rec. Center. They helped form the allstar band on Jamcruise to play a GD setlist. They consistently write setlists with fan requests in mind, their ticket agency plants a tree for every ticket sold and they offer a CO2 offset w/ each ticket purchase. It seems to me they are very involved in the "hippy scene" and I can assure you they love the music play and they love the Community that has surrounded them.

i know what interview he\'s talkin about.... they didn\'t exactly say they don\'t like playing the music they play, but the bass player was labeled the "hip hop head" of the group, and went on to mention a dislike for the hippy noodly jam scene

i think it was on hbo on demand or something...

It appears this may have been coming for a while....



Leith, do you think the new guy is a possible improvement for your other fav band? Have you heard anything yet from the new lineup?

[leith]

Possible improvement? :lol: Uh YEAH!!!!!! It\'s Reed Mathis! Ben was competent and had loads of stage presence but Reed is an incredible musician that will elevate this band in all sorts of ways.
From what I have heard he is in for the next couple months and then they will all reevaluate the situation.

I mean a 2 night run at The Fillmore for Leap Year just got announced today so I don\'t think their mgmt is at all worried.

[peaches626]

So he is not necessarily a permanent member of the band? interesting....

[Gordo]

Wow. Reed fucking Mathis. That is huuuuuuuuge. Chambers always annoyed me and was definitely the weakest link. And Reed Mathis steps in? Unreal. I wish the Cubs would start making trades like this. Congrats to TLG for just improving immensely.

[ChrisF]

:biggrin:

[leith]

Awesome!  5/5