Etc plays bittersweet psychopop songs that have earned them enthusiasts around the world. Much to their happy astonishment, NILE RODGERS said he was 'digging on' Etc. in 2011. This was a thrill up there with when the late JOHN PEEL credited Ben Etc's guitar-playing as 'spankingly good' and 'noisy - but not *too* noisy', before Etc went on to gain a place on the BBC's GLOBAL TOP 10 with their single, 'Adolesce'.

In Singapore, the Straits Times has touted Etc as the most literate band playing in the region - which might be nice, except Etc isn't sure what this means exactly. But at least they were once heartily toasted by the country's controversial but-very-nice Miss Universe 2006 contender. Nice. But they've not given up their dayjobs yet.

Other excuses to keep Etc namedropping: positive words from members of Buzzcocks (who they once supported), Blur, Flaming Lips, Fugazi, Galaxie 500, Nirvana, Shonen Knife, Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, American Music Club and Force Vomit amongst others.

They might release an album one day.
Some folk *like* Etc's Facebook Page too.

All true. But no-one's asking you to believe it.

(by Rusty Walker)