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Stevie Benton is the bass guitarist in the band Drowning Pool. He has been in the band since its formation (although a previous version of Drowning Pool did exist prior to Benton's addition). Stevie has been playing bass for several years and enjoys what he does. He says it gives him happiness to know that he makes music that touches people's lives.
Interview in Spin Magazine In Spin's December 2006 issue, the magazine confronted Benton with information regarding his music being used as a torture and interrogation method at Guantanamo bay, Cuba. In response Benton said, "People assume we should be offended that somebody in the military thinks our song is annoying enough that, played over and over, it can psychologically break someone down"..."I take it as an honor to think that perhaps our song could be used to quell another 9/11 attack or something like that." Later on Benton continued by saying, "If they detain these people and the worst thing that happens is they have to sit through a few hours of loud music-some kids in America pay for that, ... It doesn't seem all that bad to me." While other artists were outraged at their music being used to degrade and torture people, Benton thought it not "all that bad".
Bells palsy On December 7th, 2007, Benton was reported to have been diagnosed with bells palsy, a neurological disorder that causes paralysis of the facial muscles and sensitivity to light and sound. According to the Drowning Pool website "Benton began to feel ill during [the previous] night’s performance at Stone’s Throw in Eau Claire, WI, and after the show was rushed to the Luther Midelfort Hospital...". He issued a statement apologising to the fans and declared that he and his band mates "could not wait to come back and rock out with you all again soon". As a result the remaining shows on the "This Is For The Soldiers" Tour were cancelled.
