Yotam Ben Horin

Yotam Ben Horin (Hebrew: יותם בן חורין; born February 17, 1979, in Haifa, Israel) is an Israeli musician best known for his work as the lead singer and bassist for Israeli punk rock band Useless ID, as well as a solo artist releasing music closer to the indie/alternative rock scene. Most recently, he is also known for his work as an additional guitarist and backing vocalist for Israeli classic rock band Kaveret on their 2013 reunion performances. Yotam Ben Horin joined Useless ID as a bassist and backing vocalist, replacing former bassist Adi Alkavatz in 1997. He appeared on the band's first release and first full-length album, Dead's Not Punk which was released in September 1997, through the band's own independent label Falafel Records. He later appeared on the band's second full-length album Get in the Pita Bread Pit in 1999, which was also released through Falafel Records, and Let it Burn, the band's split album with The Ataris, which was released in April 2000 on Kung Fu Records and was the last to feature the band's rhythm guitarist Guy Carmel on lead vocals. Following the band's split album with The Ataris, the band was offered a record contract in Kung Fu Records, which resulted in guitarist Guy Carmel leaving his position as lead vocalist in the band and staying a backing vocalist only. Ben Horin then took the position of the band's lead vocalist and main songwriter, as well as staying the bassist. He sang on all of the band's international major releases: Bad Story, Happy Ending (2001), No Vacation from the World (2003), Redemption (2005) and The Lost Broken Bones released in October 2008, through their new label – Suburban Home Records. On all of these albums, Ben Horin also wrote the majority of the material. On January 27, 2011, Useless ID played their last show in support of The Lost Broken Bones at the Barby club in Tel Aviv, Israel, before taking off to record their new album at the Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado. The band entered the Blasting Room on February 2, 2011, to begin recording the new album. Recording was finished on February 17, 2011, and mixing was done on February 22, with mastering taking place in April. Symptoms, the band's seventh full-length album and fifth with Yotam on vocals, was released on February 14, 2012. Around April 2008, Ben-Horin started a solo MySpace page where he started uploading quiet and mellow acoustic songs he wrote, recorded and demoed by himself. In his page he also wrote he will upload more quiet demos he feels are inappropriate for Useless ID and that he demos by himself in his home, with an intention of recording a solo album of such acoustic, folk and indie songs in the future. In early 2009, Ben Horin announced he will start recording his solo album soon, and started promoting his solo songs with acoustic shows, with a singer-songwriter approach in small venues, especially bars and coffee shops, around Israel. He then updated on his Facebook page that he was entering Zaza Studios in late April 2009 to start recording his solo album, with an intention to release the album around September 2009, although it is unknown on which label it will be released, or if it will be released internationally. On May 4, 2009, Ben Horin revealed the track list for his album, as well as a progress update on the recording, commenting that the recording is almost done. On July 22, 2009, Ben Horin stated on his Myspace page that recording for the solo album will continue in September, followed by mixing and mastering of the album, and that he expects that the album to be released very late 2009, or early 2010. On February 8, 2010, mixing for the solo album began by A.J. Mogis of Criteria. Mixing was done on March 3, 2010, with Ben-Horin commenting that mastering will be done in April, and he expects the album to be released around mid/late 2010. On April 14, 2010, upon returning from Useless ID's U.S. tour, Ben Horin has confirmed that mastering will begin soon. On May 17, 2010, Ben-Horin has confirmed on his Facebook that mastering of his solo album has begun, and that it is being mastered by Doug Van Sloun of Focus Mastering. On June 10, 2010, Ben Horin has announced on his Facebook page that mastering is finished and that the album is now finally complete, but it will take some more time until it will be ready for release. On June 21, 2010, Ben Horin had his first solo show with a full band, as opposed to his solo acoustic shows he played up until now. His solo band consisted of him on lead vocals and guitar, Man Alive frontman Jamie Hilsden on guitar and vocals, Zoe Polanski on bass and Corey Swift on drums. Corey Swift has since been replaced with 7% Mind Usage drummer Guy Fleisher. On October 27, 2010, Yotam entered the studio once again to re-record some songs he wasn't happy with for his solo album. He has confirmed that the album is nearly finished. On December 21, 2010, Yotam had updated his Facebook page with the title "soon", implying on the completion and release of his album. On January 10, 2011, Yotam has announced that the final master of his album is finally done. On June 12, 2011, Yotam has uploaded a compilation of songs entitled Home Recordings to his Bandcamp and SoundCloud pages for free listening and purchase. On his Facebook page, Yotam has explained that he decided to compile this album of acoustic demos to have something out before his album will be finally released, and that all the songs on this compilation are songs that didn't make the album, being raw acoustic demos recorded by himself at his home. On his Facebook page, Yotam has commented that the album is scheduled for a November/December 2011 release. On October 8, 2011, Yotam has announced he is booking solo shows all over Israel for a long series of shows to promote his upcoming album. He has also announced that he'll be putting a new solo band together, for the upcoming series of shows. On October 19, 2011, Yotam has said on his Facebook page that the front cover for his album is ready and the back cover is almost ready, as well as mentioning he has put together a new solo band, which comprises himself on vocals and guitar, Or Edry on bass and Guy Fleisher, who has already played with Yotam before, on drums and percussion. Edry's first performance with Yotam took place on October 30 at the OzenBar where Yotam played an acoustic set with fellow singer-songwriter Rotem Or. The first full-band show of the new line-up took place on November 14. Later in November, Guy Fleisher was replaced with Aviv Cohen on drums and percussion. On August 21, 2012, it was announced that Yotam has signed to Hardline Entertainment to release his debut solo album, Distant Lover, on October 3, 2012. Hardline Entertainment released the first single from the album, "Into the Blues", for free streaming on SoundCloud, while Yotam has also expressed his interest in gong on a tour with his solo act. On February 2, 2013, the album was officially released in Israel, through the label Music 972, under the distribution of Hatav Hashmini. On March 6, 2013, Ben Horin has embarked on his first solo tour of the US, playing acoustic shows mainly in the east coast, including a performance at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, alongside such artists as Green Day, Depeche Mode, Iggy Pop and more. In 2020, D-Composers released an album of traditional Hebrew hymns for shabbat under the name of "Chabad Religion." Vocals for the album were provided by Yotan Ben Horin. According to one source, the album was inspired by a request from a rabbi in Los Angeles for setting the traditional songs to punk music. Ben Horin has also been active in other bands/projects. In 1999, while touring with Useless ID, Ben Horin founded the hardcore punk band DPA (Dr Pepper Addicts) with guitarist Arik Mon. The two added Yehuda Yace and Ido Blaustein (then Useless ID drummer), and started playing shows, immediately garnering a lot of attention from the Israeli punk scene, later on