The Benders
Robins Club Opens @ 6 pm
Friday, June 06
Doors: 7pm Show: 8pm
The Benders: Jeff Draime, Dante Cerni, Dave LeMasters and Bill Griffin, were the arguably the area’s most popular band from 2000 to 2004 playing before thousands of people across the best venues in the Mahoning Valley. Known for their deep repertoire of classic rock as well as more contemporary music,
The Benders became a favorite of Dominic Baragona’s Mid America Events; playing the popular Rib Burn-Off Events at the Eastwood and Southern Park Mall locations every summer in front of acts like The Michael Stanley Band, Cheap Trick, Dennis DeYoung, and Gin Blossoms while also appearing for Mid America on the bill with Bad Company and Kansas at Eastwood Field and at Yankee Lake opening for Ted Nugent and ZZ Top.
Other appearances included shows at Packard Music Hall opening for Gin Blossoms, multiple appearances at Hot Rod Alley in Sharon, PA, multiple appearances at Quaker Steak and Lube in Columbus for the famous Bike Night events and countless performances at local watering holes around Trumbull and Mahoning Counties.
In addition, The Benders became the house band for The Mix 98.9 FM and were featured at a number of their public events. Smokin’ Bill Cannon at Y-103 thought enough of the band to interview them on his show before a Rib Burn-Off gig and, on another occasion, played an original song from the band on his afternoon show.
The band was still ascending in 2005 when life intervened taking Dante to South Carolina and Dave to California. With the unfortunate passing of Bill Griffin in 2019, there remain the 3 members to make this appearance at Robin’s Theatre on June 6th to honor Bill’s late son, Ross Griffin, by raising money for The Ross Griffin Memorial Foundation. The Benders will be joined by Lake Baum (Brass Metropolis) on bass and vocals and special guest, Alex Draime, on lead guitar. Alex made quite a splash playing with the band at several large events when a mere 12 years old. He later played guitar for Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees during one of Mickey’s solo tours as well as doing occasional session work.