In addition to being dubbed "Best New Band" by hometown paper City Pages and "Minnesota's Best Band 2009" by The Boston Phoenix, Red Pens recently received a spot on The Onion's Twin Cities' "Best of the Decade" list for being "one of the most buzzed-about new local bands of the year."

The unlikely pair that is Red Pens came together when Howard W. Hamilton III, former member of The Busy Signals, took an interest in Laura Bennett's artwork. The result is a talented and passionate duo capable of filling a room with massive sound. With buzz building over their debut album, REASONS, and a live performance that is known for being energetic, aggressive, and always unpredictable, Red Pens has certainly proven to be attention-worthy. Culture Bully praises the band for creating an album that "transcends the local scene and positions them to be heard in the near future by a much bigger audience."

REASONS features twelve gripping tracks that draw inspiration from the last twenty years of indie rock. While comparisons can be made to the likes of Yo La Tengo, Sonic Youth, and My Bloody Valentine, it's clear that Red Pens has established a vibe all its own. Hamilton's heavy, distorted guitar work and strong vocals come together perfectly with Bennett's propulsive drumming to create an album that Culture Bully has called "arresting" and categorized as one of those rare collections of songs "with no tracks finding their way into the 'skip' category."

While their debut record is proof that Red Pens possesses exceptional creativity and raw talent, it's the band's live performance that really drives the point home. Hamilton and Bennett share the stage with multiple guitars and a stack of amps, allowing them to create a huge wall of sound that takes the audience by surprise. City Pages declared "their intense live shows, their glowing enthusiasm for their music, and their larger-than-life sound are contagious."

Red Pens has already gained the attention of many local audiences, and will undoubtedly impress even more listeners with their string of Minneapolis shows this winter. Please see below for tour dates.