It’s been a profitable year for the crooner and crew of Gentle Ben And His Sensitive Side. Since releasing their debut disc The Beginning Of The End in 2004 (you can read the FasterLouder review here), the band’s gone from strength to strength. Not only did the album’s title track score JJJ airplay, but the band also managed to tour across Australia several times, in support of such legendary bands as Calexico, The Handsome Family and Rocket Science.

While they’re known for a riveting live performance, there’s another side to the band: their craftsman side. They’ve been away from the stages for much of 2005, working in a Melbourne studio. Labouring to create a new album of tender croons and emotional punches. And from a whiskey-soaked, cigarette-infused womb, such a beast has emerged. The Sober Light Of Day is their second disc, and it’s due in October. The first single The Dogs Of Valparaiso is so good that the band decided they just had to share it with the nation, and so they’re packing up the tears and the troubles and going on the lam.

Join them, won’t you?

Dates are as follows:
August 20: Troubadour, Brisbane with The Exiles and Texas Tea
August 27: Rob Roy, Melbourne with The Exotics and Tri State Lovers
August 28: Grace Emily, Adelaide with La Femme La Fever
September 2: The Republic Bar, Hobart with Dave McCormack & The Polaroids
September 3: The Republic Bar, Hobart with Dave McCormack & The Polaroids
September 10: The Hopetoun, Sydney with The Exiles