The guys from Strange Names show off their yard-sale treasures.

 Minneapolis-based new-wave, funk pop (with attitude!) band Strange Names is one of three featured performers at The Cabin on the UW-Eau Claire campus this semester. Strange Names consists of Liam Benzvi (vocals, percussion, keyboards) and Francis Jimenez (vocals, guitar, keyboards). The duo plays with Andre Borka on bass and Fletcher Aleckson on drums for their live shows. Together as Strange Names, they create a unique style of music which brings a danceable, exciting sound to their audiences. The band has produced two EPs. The most recent, titled Strange Names, features the song “Potential Wife” which has received some radio airplay. In addition to that, they were recently named one of the Best Local Releases of 2012 by Twin Cities-based The Current. Benzvi and Jimenez first met in the residence halls at the University of Minnesota and quickly bonded over music. “We’d spend a lot of time listening to Bowie, Gary Numan, The Smiths, Joe Jackson, Orange Juice … and then invite friends over and vibe to The Human League or The Supremes or something,” Benzvi says. They were both in their own bands at the time, so they began sharing bills at DIY venues in Minneapolis. Soon after that, they began writing together. If you are wondering whether or not to come check out Strange Names, I would highly suggest it. Benzvi promises a great show for Cabin-goers: “The majority of stories we’ve heard from friends hanging out at their cabins have been pretty weird and crazy, so... since this place is in fact The Cabin, we’ll make it worthwhile,” he says.