When you see Sarah Benck and The Robbers for the first
time, the immediate question in your mind will be,
“How does such a big voice come in such a small
package?” When you listen to Sarah’s lyrics, you’ll
wonder, “How can someone so young write such
introspective and personal songs?"
Still in her early 20’s, Sarah has already become a
mainstay of the Omaha music scene. She has been
performing solo acoustic and with local rock and blues
acts since age 16, and in January of 2007 she was
named “Best Singer/Songwriter” at the First Annual
Omaha Entertainment Awards. Sarah was asked by Omaha
indie-rock band Cursive to record vocals for a song on
their 2006 release “Happy Hollow”, and she can be
heard on the track “Retreat”.
The Robbers help Sarah write, arrange, and evolve the
music with an “anything goes” attitude, yet always
serving the song.
On guitar is Jason Ferguson. He started playing at age
seven and was raised on the classics from B.B. King to
Jimi Hendrix to Miles Davis. A graduate of the
Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA, he brings a
wealth of stage and studio experience to the table.
James Carrig plays bass guitar with a tight, solid,
and brilliantly understated style that drives the
music, just like James Jamerson taught him. James has
played with Sarah the longest and his connection with
her music is undeniable. He is truly the foundation
of the group.
Drummer Scott "Zip" Zimmerman has a diverse musical
background which includes teaching music in public
schools and private lessons. He's played drums,
percussion, and sang with several rock, funk and jazz
groups. Zip’s funk-rock swagger provides the perfect
feel to The Robbers music.
Since joining forces, Sarah Benck and The Robbers have
become sought-after regional favorites, gigging often
and sharing the stage with luminaries Buddy Guy, Sue
Foley, Dawn Tyler, Renee Austin, Eric Sardinas, Hadden
Sayers, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rich Robinson, Lil Ed
and the Blues Imperials, Bernard Alison, Savoy Brown,
Kory and the FireFlies, Lee Rocker, Orenda Fink, Neva
Dinova, REO Speed Wagon, Indigenous, Gillian Welch,
Conor Oberst, Blues Traveler, and Bon Jovi.
With the release of their second CD, Neighbor’s Garden
(2007), the band demonstrates how they’ve matured
together musically. While their debut Suicide
Doublewide (2005) was described my many as “bluesy
rock”, their sophomore effort is devoid of any
straight ahead blues tunes. The Robbers take a
foundation of rock, funk, roots, and blues and build
upon those genres with this record. One could almost
describe them as a soul band, especially on slower
tracks such as “Good Man” and the album closer “I Can
Still”. It is the more upbeat and groove-laden tracks
such as “What You Got”, “Dig Your Grave”, “Dump The
Truck”, and the title track “Neighbor’s Garden” that
keep the crowds coming back to their live shows,
giving the audience what they really want: that
opportunity to subtly bob ones’ head, full on dance to
the music, or just feel what the band is sending their
way. Sarah Benck and The Robbers succeed in delivering
that, both live and on their new album and that is
what will allow them to continue to enthrall and grow
their audience.
This music resonates with young and old alike. After a
performance, the line to meet the band says it all.
From preteens with dreams of singing and playing
guitar to baby boomers who swear they’ve just
witnessed the next Bonnie Raitt. There’s something
there for everyone. Catch them live, and you too will
become one of the faithful.
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