Morning Benders singer/guitarist Chris Chu is feeling much better and is really happy to be out of hospital.
Chu came down with what he describes as a "gnarly stomach virus thing" right before a Morning Benders show last week in New York. Like a true rock 'n' roll trooper, he played through the gig, but ended up paying for it when he went home afterwards, "super dehydrated."
"I ended up passing out a couple times in my apartment by myself, and I woke up on the floor kinda banged up and bruised my head and stuff," he says.
Luckily, it wasn't anything serious, since we're speaking just before The Morning Benders play the second of two nights in Toronto with The Black Keys.
"I went to the hospital and they did a bunch of tests and stuff. I'm doing alright now; I have some meds for my stomach and I'm okay."
The band had to cancel a date in Philadelphia, but they're now back at it. They've toured extensively since their Big Echo sophomore album came out in March, playing with Broken Bells earlier in the year and now, The Black Keys. Big Echo's garnered very positive reviews and has drawn comparisons to Grizzly Bear. That's appropriate, since Grizzly Bear bassist Chris Taylor produced it.
But although The Morning Benders are quickly becoming an act to watch, they haven't gotten to that spot overnight. Chu began the project as a solo outlet in 2006 and released a few EPs, but the act didn't transform into a complete band in 2008.
Thereafter, the band put out their Talking Through Tin Cans debut album, which iTunes called the best indie/alternative album of the year. It led to gigs opening for Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, We Are Scientists, Grand Archives and Death Cab For Cutie.
Chu says touring with the aforementioned acts and other indie favourites has made him realize no band really has it easy.
"You realize how hard these bands have worked and how long they've been working on things," he says. "You get the impression from an outsider's perspective that these bands are just overnight sensations or whatever, but you realize that these people have actually been working at it for a long time.
"There's moments when you're in a band that you feel kind of discouraged, and it's hard, especially in this day and age, to sell records or just to make something of yourself as a band.
"But it was inspiring to see these guys finally getting there and those people supporting us and telling us that you've just got to keep working and touring and all that stuff."
You can see The Morning Benders at these shows:
Aug. 4 Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus w/ The Black Keys
Aug. 7 Chicago, IL @ Grant Park (Lollapalooza)
Aug. 7 Chicago, IL @ Metro w/ The Black Keys
Aug. 8 Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom w/ The Black Keys
Aug. 9 Omaha, NE @ The Anchor Inn w/ The Black Keys
Aug. 11 Louisville, KY @ Iroquois Amphitheater w/ The Black Keys
Aug. 12 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium w/ The Black Keys
Aug. 13 Columbus, OH @ LC Amphitheater w/ The Black Keys
Aug. 14 Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit w/ The Black Keys
- The Black Keys — Brothers
- Black Keys Are Brothers In May
- Drummer: Black Keys Side Project
- The Black Keys — Attack & Release
- Black Keys Have New LP, But Need Label
