Venue
Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press In Concert
From their name, you might think you'd encounter Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press at the gym. But this powerful quartet of musicians is far from an exercise move, and they're certainly no joke.
Starting in Chicago in 2008, the group has mostly ripped up the classics as a traveling cover band, but they also have a few hits of their own. The electric lineup includes Rod Tuffcurls, Happy Masterson, and C.C. Ryder on guitars, with Dick Celebrity pounding on the drums.
With an arsenal of music by groups like Hall & Oates, Taylor Swift, Queen, The Beatles, Wilson Phillips, and Elton John, as well as bangers from Disney movies and musicals like Les Miserables, the Bench Press can please just about any crowd... and they have. They've played more than 100 weddings, jamming at well-known Chicago locations like Salvage One, Soldier Field, The Art Institute, City Winery, Museum of Contemporary Art, the Shedd Aquarium, and more.
But they don't just play — they're also willing to DJ and MC the party. That's right, just give them the right cues, and they're off to the races. They've also played their fair share of corporate gigs, entertaining companies like GrubHub, Anheuser-Busch, Microsoft, the Chicago Cubs, and Jim Beam.
In 2018, they released their first EP, Alright S'go, an album of smart dance pop that showed off the band's tight grooves, affecting harmonies, and generally funky vibe. Smooth guitars can be heard on "I Can't Feel," while "Right of Way" is reminiscent of great indie rock groups Phoenix, The Strokes, and MGMT. "Seagulls" is right for the radio, the gym, or the dancefloor — unsurprising from a group of guys who cut their teeth playing gigs for people who showed up to do one thing: dance.
Rod Tuffcurls' concert was a jam packed high energy sing along concert, the highlight of my weekend. The band is extremely talented and creates a fun atmosphere with every show. The song selection was diverse, the crowd sang along and danced to every song which shows that they have a great song selection. Highly recommend Rod Tuffcurls!
We loved the different genres they played, they really pumped up the crowd! It was so fun! Great people watching too.
There is no better time than a Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press concert!!!
The band was GREAT, they were entertaining and the music was outstanding. My only complaint was that my ticket said start was at 7:30pm but the band didn’t go on stage until 9:00pm. That was quite disappointing since my ticket was standing only. Once the band playing, it was AWESOME!!
We've gotten a ton of friends hooked on this band and every single time we go they deliver!
Fantastic energy from first moment to last. Especially loved “We’re Turning Your Bedroom Back into the Computer Room” AND Dick’s solo/TSwift DJ - incredible. I would see them with a goat, I would see them on a boat, I would like them with a bear, I would like them ANYWHERE.
Rod Tuffcurls and the Benchpress put on a great show every time I see them. The High Noon Saloon is one of my favorite venues in Madison. Put them together and it was a great night. Can't wait to see them again, and can't wait for my next event at the High Noon!
Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press are AMAZING!! It was an incredible show, high energy, fun, great variety of songs for all audiences. It was a great way to ring in the new year!!
Very entertaining! I knew most of the songs. And Rod’s permanent smile!
It is always a good time with these guys. They are one of the best cover bands I have seen. They play a little something for everyone!
