New Band Bangs Out Solid Sounds : Fender Benders players are veterans of top local groups who are aiming for audiences that will appreciate their artistry.

Every time you turn around, it seems, somebody is joining or leaving Sky King, one of the area’s most popular country bands. This time, none other than founding-member Dan Wilson, the group’s bass and mandolin-player, hit the turnstile.

But the good news is that Wilson and three outstanding fellow veterans on the local music scene have formed a new band. They call themselves the Fender Benders, taken from an old song title and in honor of their Fender Telecaster guitars, considered the country electric guitar of choice. And you couldn’t ask for two better guitar pickers than Jim Monahan and Lee Rollag. Stir in the solid, infectious rhythms laid down by Bob Nichols, and you have a pretty good recipe for success.

I caught the Fender Benders’ first public performance last week at Cousin’s in Simi Valley. And after only four rehearsals, it was evident that the band has a lot of promise. They passed the “danceable test” with flying colors, had great vocal harmonies and the music was very well received.

Monahan, formerly of Caught Red Handed and more recently Chris Hillman’s disbanded Desert Rose Band, carries most lead vocals. Rollag toured with Roger Miller and just finished a stint with Sarah Pierce and the Healers. The two alternate on lead and backup guitar. Rollag also plays fiddle and sings a few numbers. And his use of pedal licks on backup guitar creates a rich, traditional country sound.

Wilson’s lead vocals are a nice contrast to Monahan’s deeper sound. And Wilson’s refreshing interpretation of “Red Neck Girl” proved his theory that it’s possible for a musician to revamp a cover tune and still please the dancers--something he’s been struggling with for a while.

“I think that country music has gone down hill considerably since Billy Ray Cyrus just four years ago,” Wilson said. “It’s nothing more than a formula-based thing churning out songs while they can. And I just can’t cater to the people who want us to be human juke boxes.

“It was a real hard decision to leave a good working band, and I think the world of the talents in Sky King.”

But circumstances made the other musicians available at the same time, Wilson said, so he decided to “give it a shot for personal growth.”

“Fender Benders is going to be capable of playing a lot of different styles of music because of the talents of these musicians,” he said. “We’re looking for an audience who wants to come see and hear good music, and if they come to also dance, that’s great. But we don’t want them to forget the artistry of live music performed by seasoned artists. We’ll be a band that is able to do Top 40 country. But we’ll also choose our songs carefully, have fun with original material.”

One original tune, “I’ll Never Let It Show,” which was written by Monahan and singer Jill Michaels, is No. 7 on the charts in Europe. “Hopefully she’ll jump on board with us when her tour is finished; but it’s too early to tell,” Monahan said.

Wilson said the decision to seek newer creative pastures came one night when Sky King was playing at a local club. A tape was put on so that the band could go on break and the dancers applauded the boom box.

“What good does it do to practice your craft for years and learn to play an instrument if people just want it to sound like the radio? Where’s the artistry and ability to interpret the music?”

Details

* WHAT: The Fender Benders.

* WHEN: Sunday, 8:30 p.m.

* WHERE: Nicholby’s, 404 E. Main St., Ventura, 653-6488.

* ETC: Other play dates: Friday and Saturday (also April 29 and 30), Galleon Room inside the Orchid Bowl, 5925 Calle Real, Goleta, 967-0128. April 15 and 16 at Cousin’s, 2381 Tapo St., Simi Valley, 522-2559; Wilson’s last gig with Sky King will be April 24 at Cold Springs Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara, 967-0066; information, 648-6318.