You asked, and they answered.
The members of Breaking Benjamin, who will make their long-awaited homecoming this Sunday with a concert at Mohegan Sun Arena, responded to Weekender readers’ questions in a fan interview, and even long-time diehards might be surprised at some of the replies.
The band, touring in support of its latest album “Dear Agony,” will perform in Northeastern Pa. for the first time since a stripped-down show for contest winners last September at the River Street Jazz Cafe. Breaking Benjamin will be joined Sunday by 10 Years, Red and Thousand Foot Krutch.
Ben Burnley (vocals, guitar) and Aaron Fink (guitar) fielded your questions.
Ben,
What is your favorite album you have written so far, and why? What is your favorite song you have written, and why?
-- Bryan, Sykesville, Md.
It’s hard to say which album would be my favorite because they all mean something different, but I would say “Saturate” and “Dear Agony” stand out because they reflect such different times in my life. I don’t really have a favorite song since they’re all personal to me.
-- Ben Burnley
Where do you like to go to eat when you’re on the road? Do you have any weird habits or superstitions?
-- Joel, Frackville
(Bassist) Mark (James) and I are big sushi fans, so we like to find the best spots in town and get busy with yellowtail, eel and salmon. Like most people, we won’t eat sushi on Sundays, it’s never as fresh.
-- Aaron Fink
Ben,
Besides playing video games what do you do to pass the time while on tour?
-- Lilo, Felton, Pa.
Since quitting drinking, video games have been my vice. There is a lot of downtime on the road, so the games keep me busy.
-- Ben
Ben,
Writing sober for the first time on “Dear Agony,” do you feel that the writing process has become deeper than before (finding new things/ways for inspiration instead of alcohol). Do you consider that (to be) a hard experience, or do you feel more satisfied developing “Dear Agony” completely sober?
-- Caroline, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
The experience of writing sober was both satisfying and aggravating. Being sober has helped with a clear mind and the ability to write, but has led to aggravation as well when I couldn’t use drinking as a crutch. I think the end result was worth the sobriety with “Dear Agony.”
-- Ben
If you could pick one of your albums to play from beginning to end live, which one would it be and why?
-- Tim, Moosic
“Saturate,” for sure. It’s the birth of Breaking Benjamin and would be fun to revisit where we were emotionally and musically eight years ago. That’s the most common album requested on the road, and it would be fun to reward diehard fans with a treat to play that one in full.
-- Aaron
How did you guys get into music?
-- Jen, Wilkes-Barre
My 7th-grade music teacher, Mrs. Hoover, at Selinsgrove Middle School turned me onto playing music. She inspired me to make a living out of it.
-- Aaron
What’s the funniest/weirdest thing that’s happened on one of your tours?
-- Emma, Adelaide, Australia
Probably when the dudes from Seether dressed up as cowboys and came out during our set. They came out dancing around during the last song of our set and caught us off guard. It was hilarious.
-- Aaron
You guys are touring with Flyleaf now. If you could pick a female singer to collaborate with, who would it be?
-- Mallory, St. Louis
Oh, we’d love to do something with Lacey from Flyleaf, but I wouldn’t mind Sarah McLachlan playing with us sometime.
-- Aaron
What has been your biggest challenge being a band for so long, and how have you overcome it?
-- Kaitlin, Dallas, Pa.
That’s funny, the easiest part is the hour on the stage each night. The hardest part is living with the rest of the band (and) crew and being without family during each tour. You need to learn how to space it out and keep it comfortable for everyone.
-- Aaron
What is the craziest thing a fan has ever given you that you kept?
-- Morgan, Edwardsville
We have this great photo a fan sent us entitled “HouseBreaking Benjamin.” It’s a photo of Ben in a litter box and the rest of us standing outside the box with catheads. Creepy and cool at the same time.
-- Aaron
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