Ben 'Jacobs' Hammond B3 Organ, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizers, Mass Transit Obsessive pursuit of vintage equipment and new sounds are Ben's passions. Once dubbed a "ubiquitous presence" on the SF bay area jam and roots rock scenes (and in local consignment shops), musical life has calmed down a bit lately, allowing Ben to lavish some attention on The Push and maintain a steady flow of session work. Past exploits on the road include work with Dean Del Ray, Blue Sky Roadster, Shana Morrison, Wig Salad, Bloodroses, Avocado Sundae, and Skyclad... to name just a few. Illustrious bay area acts have been calling Ben to the stage for one offs for nearly 20 years, from Vinyl to Psychefunkapus, from Mark Karan to Melvin Seals. Studio credits simply too numerous to list. "We have a great dynamic for working together," Ben says of his current bandmates. "Much as I've tried to create the opportunity, I never really had much to do with the writing process in other groups. Which is pretty ironic for someone as much of a music theory geek as I've always been. Must be that's why these guys call me 'the doctor.' Which I hate, by the way. I'm a doctor of nothing. Flattery will get you nowhere." Ben favors well worn gear ("previously experienced" as he likes to call it), at least when still in marginal operating condition. "At last count I had something like 20 different tube amplifiers in my possession, mostly different silver face Fender models. And I leave a trail of Hammond organs behind everytime I move houses." At the same time, Ben says he doesn't like to have a lot of gear getting between him and the band. "The more gear I have to set up and tear down at a show, the less time is left for music." Performing with The Push, the typical keyboard stage setup has been straightforward -- a Rhodes 54 (rare "baby rhodes" model made for one year in 1980) and a Nord Lead 3 ("on a dull night, at least the flashing lights are something to look at"). -- find Ben online at Ben's World