Just a Soul Man Re-mastering of tunes from early bands becomes
major charity project for music icon
by John Serba /©The Grand Rapids Press, Dec 29, 2000

It started out just being Aris Hampers' garage band, but The Soulbenders, and later, Phlegethon, became a minor sensation locally and nationally.

More than 30 years later, what started out being a simple project - - Hampers transferring one of Phlegethon's old singles to CD in order to make a handful of people happy -- became a fully re-mastered 18- track CD, a seven-track bonus disc and a 54-page booklet crammed with anecdotes and photos.

So it goes. Just as Hampers -- whose 30-year career as a radio DJ was preceded by three years as singer, songwriter and keyboardist for his two rock outfits -- never expected his garage band to have a couple of No. 1 singles locally, he didn't expect the re-mastering of The Soulbenders' and Phlegethon's songs to become a six-month project.

"The reason I even started this project was to appease the 30 or so people who had come into the store over the past 3-4 years asking for a copy of 'Last Voyage Home,' " said Hampers, who runs Aris' Disc Shop when not on the air at 101.3 The Fox. "I decided in the spring to burn the tune to CD and just give one to everyone who wanted one. Why not? I was flattered that anyone cared 30 years later."

Hampers acquired a computer program called SoundForge to re- master the song and was surprised by the vast improvements in the quality of the recording. He tinkered with more tracks and eventually ended up with The Soulbenders/Phlegethon CD, "The Michigan Tapes (1967-1971)."

There is a multitude of stories behind the recordings on the CD -- as well as a ton of interesting factoids.

Who were The Soulbenders and Phlegethon? Both bands were fronted by Hampers, and quite a few musicians passed through the bands' ranks, including guitarists Jeff Boughner, Dave Pryce, Dick Steimle and Jack Bricker, bassists L.C. Davis, Joe Sarnicola Sr. and Pete Smith and drummers Randy Marsh and Tom Davis.

The big singles: The Soulbenders' version of "Hey Joe" was No. 1 on three Grand Rapids radio stations, WLAV, WGRD and WERX, in 1967. The follow-up, "7 & 7 Is," another cover song, hit No. 2; Phlegethon's last single, "Last Voyage Home," which was written by Hampers and Boughner, hit No. 1 in 1971.

The big gigs: The band's first gig with the name Phlegethon and a new lineup was opening for The Byrds at Fountain Street Church in 1970. The group also played with the likes of The MC5 and The Stooges.

The National Battle of the Bands: After winning the local and state rounds in 1967, The Soulbenders flew out to Braintree, Mass., for the national finals, and were told they placed fifth in the country. Roughly 11,000 bands participated in the Battle of the Bands across America. A live recording of the group's version of "House of the Rising Sun" appeared on the double-LP Battle of the Bands compilation.

Aris' history as a musician: Hampers is a classically trained pianist who started studying at age 8; he won major competitions at Interlochen Center for the Arts and Michigan State University before turning 13.

Hampers on performing and composing music: "The interesting feeling is the one I get when I listen to this stuff now. I still have that urge to write music and perform again. But it's just an urge...I don't have time to pursue it. But I guess I miss it. I haven't felt that since we quit, until now."

How big did The Soulbenders get? "7 & 7 Is" was released nationally by Mala/Bell Records; the band, at one point, turned down a contract with Atco Records (a decision Hampers now regrets). Still, record collectors and fans of '60s garage bands know of Phlegethon and The Soulbenders; Hampers has received pre-orders for the CD from across the country, as well as from Europe and the UK.

For more information: Go to www.arisdisc.com for full track listings and information on how to order the CD.