Bento, like most aspiring bands, began as a side project. There were no rock star dreams of fame and fortune. Only a guy with an acoustic guitar, who liked to cover his favorite songs. Though cover songs made those around him happy, they were not enough to fuel Scott’s ambition. A sense of urgency, spontaneity, and creativity was missing. So Scott did what seemed most natural. He wrote songs.

The journey started in 1993. During a college trip abroad in Stratford Upon Avon, England, Scott Iwata had an epiphany of sorts. One night after hanging out with some fellow students at a pub, he went out for some fresh air listening to his walkman – Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream was on. While hearing the song “Mayonnaise,” a vision and dream of rocking and creating this type of music was formed. Songs did not come easily, but they came. Using a cheap tape recorder and an acoustic guitar bought for 10 pounds, Scott toiled endlessly away, resulting in two actual songs. As confident and driven as he felt, he knew he would need a band to realize his dream.

Ever since that night, Scott had been obsessed with fulfilling this dream. Once he returned to the Bay Area, "Like Squish Squash Virgins" was formed to pursue his strong vision. Drummer Jamie Quon was a childhood friend, who grew up playing baseball with Scott. Bass player Angelito Mesina, met Scott in high school and they instantly bonded over a love for "Chapterhouse" and "Northside." Angelito was petrified and very shy. The guy had never played before. Scott kept asking and asking and finally one day Ang came over. Scott taught him the basics of the guitar and from there they covered all kinds of songs from The Beatles, Radiohead, Teenage Fanclub, the Pumpkins, Weezer, Green Day, the Pixies and of course the band that made Scott first pick up a guitar, Nirvana. Out of those hazy and frenetic sessions actually came their first song, “1000 Ways.”

Life went on and the band occasionally jammed together while their lives pulled them in different directions. Scott's dream eventually gave way to reality as he grew older, but he never lost hope. Squish Squash split up when the members went to college. Jamie joined another band, Scott went to Cal Poly, and Ang became a graphic designer. Scott kept playing and writing when he had time. Creating songs was always a means of expression for him, and as life always seems to function in a circular fashion, the trio recently reconvened to pursue their vision. No longer a side project and distractions behind them, Bento arose from its Squish Squash beginnings. Mom dubbed the group Bento while having a traditional Japanese dinner. Despite their search for the perfect name, Bento seemed the most apt. After all, mother knows best and felt that the name represented a variety of bits and pieces, which come together to form as one.

First accomplishment is their debut album: “Absent Without Leave." Elvin Reyes started out on the project as Bentos' producer, but as time and friendship developed, Elvin is now an official member. He has taken on extra guitar duties, which now makes Bento complete. Prior to joining forces with Bento, Elvin was a co-founder of Classified Records and produced such artists as Jocelyn Enriquez, Pinay, and Julieplug. Squish Squash actually approached Reyes back in 1995, to record "1000 Ways," but the former Squish Squash boys, soon had life pull them in different directions, and this project never materialized. Scott says this about Reyes, "I'm just glad that we finally got to meet up again, and actually work together. I had no expectations of forming a full band again...I just had my demo collection and wanted to record a few of them with better quality than Ang and I had recording them in my bedroom. I can't believe he decided to join us. Elvin has totally brought us a creative outlet and a sense of vision that I never dreamed existed. He’s the best."

Armed and ready, comfortable in their sound and its execution, Bento is ready for the world. "Alternative, Modern, Indie"...label them at your peril. These guys write songs, first and foremost. And after all the hype has died down, you'll still be quietly singing along to their sweet melodies.

Bento:
Scott Iwata: voice, guitar
Elvin Reyes: guitar
Ang Mesina: bass
Jamie Quon: drums