Name: Flag / Empire
Brand: Benefits

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

ZENFC012S1

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: Yes

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Hand Numbered with Rough Trade Exclusive Sleeve.

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-05-27

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

PIAS

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5056340104514

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Total Cap

1 / 7" / Extended format: Yes / Rough Trade Exclusive: Yes / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Benefits

Genre GB

Alternative / Modern

Label GB

Zen FC

An issues based music collective from Teesside in the North East of England. We write songs about the urgencies that concern us. These songs are loud.
Welcome to our artist page! We are a passionate and dynamic music collective hailing from Teesside, located in the vibrant North East of England. Our mission is simple: to create powerful and impactful songs that address pressing issues close to our hearts. Through our music, we aim to shed light on urgent matters that demand attention and action. From social injustices to environmental concerns, we fearlessly tackle these topics with an unapologetically loud sound that resonates with listeners worldwide.
With a strong sense of purpose, we use our platform as musicians to raise awareness and inspire change. Our lyrics delve deep into the complexities of society, offering thought-provoking perspectives on the challenges we face today. Each song is carefully crafted with heartfelt emotion and an unwavering commitment to making a difference through art.

Vinyl variants, bonus material and signed editions exclusively available from Rough Trade.

Benefits are an issues-based music collective from Teesside in the North East of England. They write songs about the urgencies that concern them, and they play them loud. 

Forming in 2019 and consisting of Kingsley Hall on vocals, Robbie Major and Hugh Major on synths and noise, and Jonny Snowball on drums they quickly evolved from a standard shouty punk rock outfit into a minimalist, overtly political band that merges noise, hip hop and industrial rock, creating an effect that feels urgent, darkly hilarious and unsettling all at once. 

Thus far Benefits have been completely DIY, yet via a succession of digital singles and accompanying videos through 2021 they built a following that enabled them to complete a sold-out headline UK tour in March 2022. They also gained fans in high places including Sleaford Mods, Black Francis, Garbage and Elijah Wood and Steve 

Albini. James and Ryan of Yard Act were also instant admirers and that’s where their label Zen F.C. Ltd comes in. Using their ill gotten major label gains Zen F.C press Benefit’s single Flag (backed with Empire ) on vinyl, Benefit’s first non-digital offering, for release on 3 June in time for the Jubilee jamboree. 

On working with Yard Act, Kingsley comments: “I think Benefits come at some of the same subject matter that they talk about but from a slightly different angle, (and by "slightly different" I really mean "more frequent swearing", though we've never said the C word in a song unlike...ahem.). We appreciate every bit of help we've had off them, we just wish we could somehow repay that kindness, (not monetarily mind, we're totally skint).” 

Yard Act’s James Smith says of the release: “Lots of bands are saying all this stuff so what makes Benefits so special? Why do I need to be told what I already know over and over again by a shouty man from Teesside? Well, because no one else is saying it with such physicality they sound like their voice box is about to leap from their throat and eat your eyeballs. With that little bit of influence we've garnered and the small fortune of money we now have kicking about, I'm so glad we can play a part in spreading the word on Benefits, because I think they're well on their way to a classic debut album, and I’m going to fucking love being able to brag about how important I was in making it all happen” 