Pipebomb Radio NYC - Interview with Ben Jewell of Ventruss

Venturous on Pipe Bomb Radio NYCBen from Venturous joins Ricky and Lars for a long overdue interview about the band’s history, songwriting process, touring goals, and the sound that shaped their latest material. The conversation also goes beyond the music, touching on Ben’s influences, vocal technique, favorite venues, hobbies, and the story behind his guitars.In this episode, Ben shares how Venturous started in 2012, how the lineup evolved, and why Louisiana’s local scenes helped shape the band’s identity. They also dig into the creative process behind songs like “Talladega,” “Serpent,” and “Relinquished,” plus what it takes to move between harsh vocals and clean singing without wrecking your voice.Key topics

• Ben’s backstory and the formation of VenturousStarted in 2012 while Ben was still in high school
• First show was at Frankie’s Burgers in Lafayette, Louisiana
• Band began building momentum around 2014 with shows at House of Blues New Orleans and other regional venues
• How the Venturous name came togetherOriginally called Embrace Goodbye
• Later shortened and reshaped from the name Venturous, inspired by Ventress, Louisiana
• Ben explains the local significance and why the spelling changed
• Lineup changes over the yearsBen has been the only constant member
• Jake is the other original member, though he took time away and later returned
• Sean, BG, and Jesse each joined in different eras as the band grew
• Major releases and milestonesFirst EP Come Alive came out in 2014
• Self-titled EP followed in 2019
• Current EP The Serpent was written during the pandemic and released the year before the interview
• The band’s regional rise and touring historyOpened for acts like Hell Yeah, Gemini Syndrome, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Twelve Stones
• Played notable venues across Louisiana and Mississippi
• Ben says a European tour remains a bucket-list goal
• What shaped Venturous’ soundThe band members grew up in different towns and came from different musical lanes
• Influences range from hard rock and radio rock to hardcore, grindcore, and shred-heavy music
• That mix helps explain the band’s variety and range
• Ben’s earliest vocal and musical influencesA Christian boy band called Plus One was the first thing that made him want to sing
• Puddle of Mudd’s Come Clean and “Blurry” were major early turning points
• Linkin Park, especially Hybrid Theory and Meteora, was the biggest catalyst for pushing him into rock and metal
• How Ben writes lyricsBen writes all the lyrics
• Most songs begin instrumentally with Jesse and Sean
• He records ideas on his phone, lets the music marinate, then writes when inspiration hits
• Some songs, like “Talladega,” came together fast, while others took years
• Songs that connect most with fans“Talladega” and “Alone in the Dark” are fan favorites
• “Come Alive” still gets played because it remains a strong live track
• “Relinquished” stands out as one of the more complex and creatively different songs
• Vocal technique and stage performanceBen explains the difficulty of switching from clean vocals to screams and back
• He stresses posture, diaphragm control, and body positioning
• He also notes that vocal performance is physical, not just vocal
• The band’s current and future plansUpcoming tour includes dates in Austin, Tucson, Scottsdale, Albuquerque, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston or Spring, and a stop in Vegas for Apocalypse in the Desert
• After the tour, the band plans to start writing the next record
• Sweden remains a dream destination, with Ben promising the band will get there someday
• Ben’s personal hobbiesBaseball, especially MLB The Show
• Geography, travel, maps, and studying different cultures
• Making reaction videos, video editing, vlog footage, and comedy writing
• He also wants to expand into more vocal covers and content creation
• The instrument cornerBen talks through several guitars and basses, including a 1992 Fender Jazz Bass, an old Ibanez Soundgear, a Schecter Damien Riot, and two refurbished acoustics
• One guitar is especially meaningful because it was a Christmas gift from his father and has deep sentimental value
• Shoutouts and supportBen thanks MVK Music Group, the road crew, audio engineer Eric Woolard, and fans who promote the band
• He also gives love to supporters like Boss Jan and Shiprocked friends
• The episode closes with appreciation for everyone who helps spread Venturous’ music

Timestamps00:00 - Pipe Bomb Radio NYC intro and guest welcome

02:05 - Ben gives the origin story of Venturous

03:27 - Early shows, venues, and first releases

04:54 - Why the band is called Venturous

06:14 - Lineup changes and current members

08:07 - Touring dreams and plans for Europe

09:47 - How Louisiana shaped the band’s sound

12:47 - First sparks of becoming a singer

14:53 - Linkin Park, Nu Metal, and bigger influences

15:48 - Who writes the lyrics and how songs come together

18:08 - Writing lyrics on the job and in unexpected places

19:33 - Fan favorites and live song choices

20:57 - How the instrumentals are built

23:48 - Switching between clean vocals and screams

26:10 - Vocal posture and full-body technique

31:41 - Reaction to Serpent after the first playback

35:38 - Fan support and shoutouts

38:01 - The five questions of death begins

38:30 - Late-night snack of white bread and barbecue sauce

40:19 - Favorite fry side with a burger

40:48 - Pre-show routine and vocal care

42:20 - Favorite venue picks in New Orleans and Baton Rouge

42:54 - Dream act and venue combination: original Pantera at Red Rocks

43:53 - Ben’s hobbies beyond music

46:43 - Reaction videos, travel obsession, and new content ideas

49:26 - Relinquished plays and the band reacts

58:30 - Gear talk: basses, guitars, and instrument stories

62:28 - Sentimental first guitar from Ben’s father

69:35 - Upcoming tour and next record plans

72:51 - Social media, merch, and streaming availability

75:13 - Closing thanks and wrap-upNotable quotes

• “It’s not just a name, it’s an attitude.”
• “I write every lyric.”
• “I can’t do it now. But that doesn’t mean I can’t do it four or five months from now.”

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