Bill Berends - guitarist, composer, producer, engineer, singer, artist, and
generally cool guy. Thanks for visiting! Explore the menus to learn more.

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Updates
March 28, 2012  [ back ]

Hey folks, I must apologize, I've been terrible at updating things. I just posted a new blog on blogspot which I hope you will go read. There are quite a few things going on I'd like to share with everyone, so stop back later in April and I'll post more info about new music, some interesting collaborations, and maybe even update these sites if I'm feeling ambitious.  Also, 2012 marks the 25th Anniversary of MASTERMIND so we hope to do something special for that. I can hardly believe it's been 25 years (!) since we first released Mastermind Volume One on cassette! So what are you waiting for? Go read my new blogspot entry (with video) and stop back later in April for more news. Thanks!! I will try to get better at keeping up, I promise!   Also, a couple upcoming shows so I hope to see you there!

June 27, 2011  [ back ]

Wow, it's been a while! Guess it's time for a bi-yearly update. OK first up, we recorded a brand spankin' new Mastermind instrumental track for Lion Music's Japanese Earthquake & Tsunami benefit album which I wrote about over on the Mastermind blog so please stop by and have a look. Below that there's a new video I put together for an instrumental we did years ago for Cyclops Records... it still sounds pretty cool! (here's a direct link for you lazy people) So there you have it, a brand new Mastermind track in 2011 and more to come, just hang in there. And please pick up a copy of the album.. it's a good cause with all money going to the Japanese Red Cross.

Next up, I've finally gotten 'round to putting up a web page for The Berends Bros Band at BerendsBrosBand.com (clever eh?). For those who don't know, this is our local bluesy rock band just to get out of the house and play, make a few bucks and have some fun. For those who only know us from BBB, Mastermind is the more serious thing we've done over the years. Yes it is possible to do more than one thing! Anyway, there are a slew of recent BBB gig videos linked on new site, so stop over, grab a beer and pretend you are there.

Finally, in closing we'll take a trip back in time 30 years with some old video from my band TANK ...



(another video here if you're interested. If you enjoy them let me know and maybe I'll post more)

All my old Jersey friends remember this I'm sure. This is from 30 years ago to the day practically; June 26, 1981 with me and my bro' Rich, Kip Leming, and Rich Harter. This format basically evolved into Mastermind a few years later. For those who don't know, I was using the name TANK since 1973 until some jerks in the UK usurped our name and stole our logo to boot. Bastards! There were earlier incarnations under the TANK moniker that leaned more heavily towards the progressive side, and one day I'll go into some history about the lineups and so on, but not today. So thanks for stopping by, go check out some videos, and hopefully I'll have some groovy music news before another six months goes by. I've got a few things in the works. Happy summer, hope to see you at an upcoming gig!

ps: and hopefully you've picked up a copy of our 2010 Mastermind release: Insomnia !!

Jan. 11, 2011  [ back ]

Starting off the new year with a variety of projects. First off, I've been invited to play with G. Calvin Weston's Treasures of the Spirit band out of Philadelphia which is an adventure into the music of The Mahavishnu Orchestra. I wouldn't be so bold as to call it a tribute act, but more like good fun and a real challenge to boot. Rehearsals have begun and my first gig with them is January 28th in Philly. Check out my schedule page for links and details. I'll have more to say about this as time goes on, but so far it's pretty enjoyable.

The Berends Bros Band has gigs coming up starting in February, so I am happy to be playing more. Again, see the schedule for info. In the studio recently has been keyboard wiz Michael West whom prog heads may recall for his solo CD and "Black September" album, both of which I produced and engineered back in the 90's. We've begun work on a new full length album due later in 2011 and have put his back catalog up on Mindawn.com including a never released EP from 2005 so check it out.

And finally, I am pleased that the Mastermind "Insomnia" album was chosen for some "best of 2010" lists despite minimal promotion. Read more about that over on the Mastermind blog. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like we'll be getting a live band off the ground anytime soon, but that could change at anytime. I would like to see it happen if at all possible. Anyway, that's it for now, see you at a gig!

Dec. 31, 2010  [ back ]

As promised, on the last day of 2010 here I am finally getting this site together a little. Some of it is filler, but I will update things as time goes on. Stop back now and again and check it out. In the meanwhile just have a look around. I am looking forwad to being very busy in 2011... word on something that could be very cool is coming in just a few days! Goodbye 2010 and Happy New Year folks!!

Dec. 20, 2010  [ back ]

Here we are on the shortest day of the year. I miss the long summer days. I *will* update this site sooner or later, I promise! But at the moment, tweaking HTML sounds far less than appealing. Anyway, I just want to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season! Here's a nice impressionistic video of a tune from the Insomnia album, I hope you enjoy it. More music is coming soon.


If you haven't picked up a copy of the Insomnia album, head on over to the Mastermind youtube channel and listen. Merry Christmas!

Oct. 21, 2010  [ back ]

Still working on updating the web page... soon. In the meanwhile I've uploaded a couple videos on youtube from the last Berends Bros pub gig for your enjoyment. More to come and some vintage Mastermind as well. Here ya go... http://www.youtube.com/billberends

And for those of you who still haven't picked up a copy of the Insomnia album, head on over to the Mastermind youtube channel for a listen. Maybe after a few spins maybe you'll decide you want a copy of your own. The holidays will be here soon too... it might make a nice gift ;)

Sept. 24, 2010  [ back ]

As promised I have been diligently working away on fixing up this site, but it will still be a little while before unveiling it to the public. Hey, it's only been a year! And I gotta tell you, the 'new' html 4.0 whatever is a pain in the ass. Anyway, I will spread the word when it's ready to go. Otherwise not much new. You did buy a copy of Insomnia, right? Stop back in a few weeks and see what's coming up. Thanks!

Dreamhost rocks BTW! If you are looking to host a website, use this link to sign up and I get referral credits. So will you! Check it out.

Aug. 4th, 2010  [ back ]

We're changing hosting services for "mastermindband.com" so there may be some loss of service while the new DNS proliferates across the interwebs. Please stand by, visit this site for updates, and "@mastermindband.com" email addresses may be down for a while too, so use the yahoo email above if you need to get in touch. If it says "Powered by Dreamhost" on the splash page, you are at the new host.

July 27, 2010  [ back ]

10 Questions with Bill Berends on Bill Knispel's Prog Blog gets into topics outside of recent Insomnia interviews. Check it out.

June 22, 2010  [ back ]

Summer is here and boy is it warm! I know, I know... I still haven't updated this site yet, but I will... eventually. For now check out some home movies on youtube and stop back later to see what's up. Oh, a couple of live gigs this summer too. Look here for dates. See you there!

April 11, 2010  [ back ]

There are a couple more Mastermind albums up on mastermind.bandcamp.com now for your listening pleasure. Also a new interview with yours truly on usaprogmusic.com that gets into the making of Insomnia and other related topics. I still haven't made this into a proper website yet, but I will, I promise. Stop back later and see what's up. We've been rehearsing Mastermind material so we hope to have some news about possible live shows soon. I hope everyone has purchased a copy of the new album from the Mastermind Store. Thanks!

March 23, 2010  [ back ]

New interview up on Ytsejam discussing the new Mastermind album, the music biz, etc. Check it out.

February 19, 2010  [ back ]

MASTERMIND "INSOMNIA" CD now shipping!!

February 15, 2010  [ back ]

The Mastermind Insomnia album is being released this week! We're now taking CD orders in the Mastermind Store so stop over and get a copy. So far the reviews are pretty positive for the most part which is nice. Here is a recent interview discussing the album and various other things, I hope you find it entertaining. Still haven't found the time to update this site.. soon! I hope. More music on the way.

December 18, 2009  [ back ]

Hey, today is my birthday! Yay me!! I have chosen this auspicious occasion to make a very big announcement... MASTERMIND has signed with LION MUSIC (Finland) to release the long awaited INSOMNIA album!! The album will be released on February 19th 2010. Featuring Tracy McShane (vocals), myself (guitars, synths, bass), my brother Rich (drums), and Jens Johansson (keyboards), I am really happy to finally see this album get released properly. You can read more about it and comment here: http://mastermindband.com/blog/?p=30

Happy birthday indeed! A wonderful way to start a new year. Now to get my butt in gear and make something of this site... there is more music in coming soon, just wait and see. :) But for now I think I'll just go play my guitar... way more fun! Happy holidays folks!

September 29, 2009  [ back ]

Okay, the early Mastermind albums Volume One and Volume Two 'Brainstorm' are now on the bandcamp site for your listening pleasure. This is the original lineup & intent of the band, a heavy prog-rock power trio. Lots of blazing guitar and guitar synthesizer throughout. I've covered a lot of ground musically since then, but these are still both good albums that not enough people have heard. Check them out.

September 26, 2009  [ back ]

Wow... I looked at the site logs and this month alone there has been over 1,800 hits to this page! So I guess it's time I put something here. Um... visit the links above! OK, new this month is I've put some early Mastermind albums up online where you can easily listen to them straight thru. Yes, this stuff is several years old, but it's as relevant today as it was then, so go have a listen at mastermind.bandcamp.com. If you like what you hear, tell a friend, spread the word. Thanks! Stay tuned, there's more to come.

All content ©2009-2012 Bill Berends unless otherwise noted.

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