August 10, 2021

Shank Hall Show with Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express POSTPONED

Based on concerns related to the Delta variant, our August 11th show at Shank Hall with Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express has been postponed. The show has been rescheduled for March 18, 2022. 

A special shout-out to the selfish masses who've managed to exacerbate a dire public health crisis based largely on conspiracist-fueled narratives about threats to personal liberty. 

As opposed to, say, our parents and grandparents. Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa trusted science and put their concern for others ahead of any story they had about why they might not want to get vaccinated. By doing so, they helped us all but eradicate smallpox, polio and a number of other highly contagious and deadly viruses. 

In that respect, our parents and grandparents were far smarter and more morally righteous than our current Nation Of Dumbasses.

Get vaccinated!

--Mike B.

May 12, 2021

Shank Hall with Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express!

We're back, baby!

The clouds are parting, the vaccines are going into people's arms, and The Mike Benign Compulsion is back at it. When it comes to restarting the old machinery, we can't think of a better way than to share the stage with the wonderful Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express

Chuck put out a stellar record in 2020 called The Land That Time Forgot, but didn't get to properly tour said record due to...y'know. So we're quite pleased to finally hear those songs live and have the honor of fluffing up the Milwaukee crowd on Chuck and the band's behalf.  

Fun fact: The Mike Benign Compulsion opened for Chuck and crew in 2013, also at Shank Hall. Here's videographic proof.


Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express w/The Mike Benign Compulsion

Shank Hall (Milwaukee) - Wednesday, August 11th, 8 pm.

January 28, 2020

Latest Bygones review: Straight Outta Switzerland

Robert Pally from SwissRecords.ch recently reviewed the band's "Bygones" LP, noting "you can tell that The Mike Benign Compulsion has a gift for crafting accessible pop songs that shine thanks to their deep, deeply moving, and deeply ironic lyrics."

Here's Robert's review, translated from the original German by the esteemed Dr. Michael Koch, Visiting Instructor of German at Marquette University (and a damn fine drummer):
Bygones is the fifth and probably last work of the band of Mike Benign (of Umbrella Man, Arms & Legs & Feet, Blue In The Face, and Allen Keller), who is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The quartet offers a special work as its presumable close: Bygones is an album that should be enjoyed with headphones (which I did) and that contains a couple musical Easter eggs (even though it is Christmas time) – so listen up!

Even without headphones, you can tell that The Mike Benign Compulsion has a gift for crafting accessible pop songs that shine thanks to their deep, deeply moving, and deeply ironic lyrics.

The opening track from these admitted fans of Squeeze and Crowded House, “Beauty & Pedigree & Bank,” makes it clear that one can achieve anything provided one has the requisite looks, connections, and bank accounts. Unfortunately, Mike Benign and his fellow musicians noticed this fact too late.  On “Let It Rain Or Let It Be,” which has hints of ELO and The Beatles, the band admits: “Yeah, I’m guilty of these crimes: / the sickest beats, the dopest rhymes. / Man, we live in crazy times / I love them.”  I think there are a few bands that Mike Benign and his compatriots surpass, wouldn’t you agree? On “These Heroes,” a bit folksy and gentle, the band sings of musical heroes, who were not always perfect. 
Near the end, the four gentlemen consider the “End of the World Kind of Feeling.” This can, of course, be understood on many levels. This pop song, enriched with horns, leaves listeners with a tear in one eye and a smile in the other. As a whole, Bygones tends more towards the smile.

November 13, 2019

Just released: video for "Bonafide Americans"

We're pleased and proud to introduce the brand new video for "Bonafide Americans" from the band's Bygones LP.

Shot in May, 2019 by director Daniel Andera, the video features a host of friends and family members who stand united in their defiance of those who seek to divide us.

Rock on, America!


November 9, 2019

WMSE Live In-Studio Performance: Full-Length Video + Interview!

Just posted: a super deluxe, multi-cam video of The Mike Benign Compulsion's live on-air appearance at 91.7 WMSE. We were honored to play in the studio on Love 91.7 Day (9/17/19).

Check out our 9-song set featuring a bunch of numbers from the new "Bygones" LP, plus "My Michelle" and "All The Married People." The video also includes the band's interview with longtime Local/Live hosts Erin and Cal.

Thanks again to Erin, Cal, Billy, Moleskin Productions and the rest at WMSE for having us!

November 6, 2019

Islands Of Brilliance - Annual Colors & Chords Benefit

We're honored to be part of this year's Colors & Chords benefit in support of Islands Of Brilliance: a learning experience developed specifically for children and young adults on the autism spectrum. The event is Friday, November 22nd, at historic Turner Hall in Milwaukee, at 6:30 pm.

Joining The Mike Benign Compulsion on the bill are The Quilz, Marielle Allschwang & The Visitations, and Dramatic Lovers.

Go here for tickets and more info about this year's Colors & Chords event.


September 18, 2019

Live appearance on WMSE radio—listen now!

The band had a blast playing live on Milwaukee's legendary indy radio station, 91.7 WMSE, on that station's Local/Live program.

Hosts Erin and Cal were fun and gracious as always. And nobody twists the knobs like station engineer Billy Cicerelli.

Six songs from the new album + three older songs + conversation with Erin and Cal = a most excellent 60 minutes.

Listen to the broadcast here. Select 9/17/2019 for show date.

--Mike B