Bio — Benjamin Darvill / Son of Dave

Benjamin grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, a rugged little city which has been home to a handful of internationally famous acts. Crash Test Dummies is one in which Darvill has played for over ten years.

Living in the mid-west and picking up his first harmonica as a kid, he instantly took to the sounds of the Chicago blues scene. Seeing acts like James Cotton and Buddy Guy at the age of thirteen taught him how to play. He quickly started playing guitar, mandolin, percussion, and then joining and forming his own bands. Prior to the Dummies, Benjamin was collaborating in the Detonators, a “shit kicking” blues and funk band eerily like the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion twelve years later.

Darvill plays a variety of instruments on the albums, which were produced in London, England where he has lived for four years. While there, he’s been known to get his kit off in concert with the Medieval Baebes, doing flips with nothing but white body paint and a wreath in his hair; a gig for which he is truly grateful.

Press bio (2000)

“A deliciously warped set from a deliciously warped guy.” — Winnipeg Sun

His daddy didn’t raise no fool, and the SON OF DAVE, Benjamin Darvill is no sucker. As a well-trained and very talented musician, he is a Dummy.

Described as the most unpredictable member of the Crash Test Dummies, during his time off Darvill has ventured into his own dimension to create 01 with Son of Dave, the beginning of his solo efforts. Combining finely aged blues with techno beats and everything in between, 01 is a varied and interesting listen. The first single, “Devil Take My Soul,” features a soulful R&B groove accompanied by Toronto singer/actress Dorion Davis’ intoxicating voice. A video directed by Winnipeg film maker John Paicz is planned for the summer. Son of Dave’s 01 is available on Vancouver’s Husky Records.

For the past ten years, Darvill has been a core member of the Crash Test Dummies playing acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmonica and all variety of percussion. With that group, he has won a Juno award and been nominated for a Grammy. Prior to the success of the Dummies, he played with many bands he helped start in his hometown of Winnipeg, even jamming on stage with Neil Young at the young age of 20.

Watching legendary blues men like James Cotton and Buddy Guy gave Darvill his love of the blues at an early age. With Son of Dave, he was able to dive right into his blues roots, while incorporating everything else that tickles his fancy into the mix.