Ever notice those insultingly inaccurate Facebook Suggestion Ads on the sidebars of the website? Such as – “Are you a fan of The Morning Benders? Then you may like POP ETC!” Except, this time it’s pretty accurate. That’s because The Morning Benders are now going by POP ETC. Based out of California, I’m sure they had no idea the implications of their name in the UK when starting their band years ago. According to their old band website, the word ‘Bender’ is considered a gay slur in the UK. On the site they clarified their reasoning behind changing the name:
1. We simply cannot go on using a name that is demeaning to the gay community. The reason we are making music is to reach and unite as many different kinds of people as possible, and the idea that our name may be hateful towards anyone makes us sick.
2. In the UK and many parts of Europe the name has simply become too distracting. The MUSIC has always been our number one focus, and we want to present that to people in as pure a way as possible.
POP ETC premiered their new facelift by generously dropping a free, 11 track mixtape which can be downloaded [here]. At first listen it’s, for lack of better word, more ‘poppy’. Plentiful in autotune, synth splendor, and delightful harmonies, it’s a quality listen. Change isn’t bad. I’m excited. Stream the mixtape, titled Mixtape, below.
Bonus Track: Saying my goodbyes to The Morning Benders. Watch a live session of Excuses below.
