About
Ben Rogers' Instrumental Asylum is a powerhouse of instrumental rock wrapped up in a twanging surf-style package.
They deliver reverb-drenched, early sixties surf instrumentals together with original compositions in a similar vein. The band has even been known to give a few jazz standards the surf treatment. The trio has released six albums since they formed in 2005, and continues to play around the pubs and bars of Melbourne (Australia).
Ben Rogers (guitar), Nikki Scarlett (bass) and Denis Close (drums).
Video
Snippets of Ben Rogers' Blues Asylum (featuring Secret Weapon Cora Browne) from Saturday night (4 Mar 2023) at the Blessington St Precinct as part of the St Kilda Blues Festival. Thanks to Julian Druce for the video. Soundtrack is "Sandy Feet", an original composition from the album "Welcome to the Instrumental Asylum" (available on Bandcamp: https://benrogersinstrumentalasylum.bandcamp.com/)
Surf rock instrumental featuring Ben Rogers (guitar), Nikki Scarlett (bass) and some classic surf drumming by Denis Close. Available on Bandcamp at https://benrogersinstrumentalasylum.bandcamp.com/
Ben Rogers' Instrumental Asylum play a surf/rock tune inspired by Dick Dale's life story - keep bouncing back! Recorded during the 2020 COVID 19 isolation. Available on Bandcamp at https://benrogersinstrumentalasylum.bandcamp.com/
Guitar surf/rock instrumental. Bass player Nikki gets behind the kit on the mambo-meets-wipeout tune. Percussion tracks by Denis are the icing on the cake. Recorded during the 2020 COVID 19 isolation. Available on Bandcamp at https://benrogersinstrumentalasylum.bandcamp.com/
Videos published by Vintage Guitar Magazine (US)
"Ben Rogers used his Reverend Descent baritone and Fender Custom Shop reissue Strat (running through a Mesa Boogie Series 3 and Fender Vibrolux) to play “Heroes” and “Incident at Docklands,” backed by his band, Instrumental Asylum." VG
"Ben Rogers shows a few of his favorite instruments including a ’67 Maton Sapphire bass, then plugs his ’63 Guild S-200 into a Swart Atomic Space Tone and uses its line out to run signal to a Roland RE201 Space Echo then into his ’61 Fender Vibrolux. With bassist Nikki Scarlett and drummer Denis Close, he plays "Dingo Scat" before grabbing his ’64 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 to play “Alamania," both from their album, "In Search of Lasseter’s Riff.”" VG
"Last Wave" at Pure Pop. One week before the beloved St Kilda venue closed its doors for the last time. Thanks Dave Stevens (Record Cat) for providing the opportunity for the band to perform at Pure Pop over the years, and also for providing the audio track for this clip. The tune is called "KangaRoux" (B Rogers/N Scarlett/D Close), from the album "Welcome to the Instrumental Asylum" (BL0510).