Hellblinki - Press

"How many Hellblinkis in a sextet? Common answer: enough to make one infernal racket," according to hellblinki.com. It's impossible to extract a finer example of pure theatre, freaks and celebration than Augusta, Georgia's Hellblinki Sextet: a mix of Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Marilyn Manson and Frank Zappa, this merry group of musicians/performers have burned the conformity box to the ground in a blaze of origionality and kookiness that would make any of the said artists proud. Coming to Fargo two days after a slot in this year's Green Man Festival in Duluth, the Nestor will be a parade of costumed participants in the Hellblinki Experience as the band performs tracks off albums like "A Pirate Broadcast," and the band's Self-Titled debut.
While band members consistently walk in and out of the Hellblinki revolving door, the center of tha creation is front man Andrew Benjamin, who is half ringleader, half mad scientist. When HPR talked with Andrew on the phone last week he explained a little more about his artistic child:

HPR: The Hellblinki Sextet is a very unique and bold artistic vision. How was Hellblinki born?

Andrew Benjamin: Hellblinki spawned full grown from the forehead of Shiva and represents the whole of the universe, laid out backwards in coffee stains on the passenger-side front floor mat of an olive green '68 Plymouth Fury, or perhaps in some other twisted dimension was born of a series of experamental recordings that slowly and painfully became the first record, and then, just before the turn of the century morphed into a live show, which will find itself in one form or another in Fargo this coming Monday.

HPR: Is the imagery and theatrical part of the performance something that stems from your childhood?

AB: Yes, and the childhoods of others, as well...

HPR: Talking to you earlier this week, you (Andrew) made the comment that you live in a cave under a rock. Is Hellblinki a creation that rules your everyday life?

AB: Nearly everything I am involved in is related to this project, or perhaps everything that is involved in me is in this project one way or another.

HPR: On the website (www.hellblinki.com) you have some of your artwork, which is very surreal and at times graphic. Is it art imitating art imitating life?

AB: Graphic? Really, I'll have to check into that. Depends on what you meant by art, I'd rather not make those distinctions.

HPR: There is also footage of James Brown introducing The Hellblinki Sextet. How did that come to be?

AB: James Brown, Godfather of Soul, IS the Patron Saint of Augusta, and it is often his wish and sacred duty to take part in local events, and he has stayed true to his hometown through it all. He was asked to officiate "A Very Groovy Christmas Special" in which The Hellblinki Sextet was honored to participate.

HPR: Hellblinki Sextet has a revolving cast of musicians. Does that keep it fresh and new for you?

AB: Hellblinki often has folks on stage together who have never been in the same room before or who have never rehearsed with the band. It can be difficult and sometimes a bit scary, but can also result in some wonderful interactions.

HPR:Seeing as you and the band have never been to Fargo, do you have any preconcieved notions about your first trip here?

AB: We can't wait to get oot and aboot! Actually I'm imagining snowy sprawling flatlands, fiendly people, and a small town attitude. I doubt you have much snow in July; you must have the most wonderful summers. South Georgia is a sweltering hell at this time; the air breathes like a wet brick.
HPR: What can people expect when they step into the Nestor next Monday and onstage will be The Hellblinki Sextet.

AB: Not sure really, I've never seen it myself, but I would imagine it's quite odd.