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Ben Christie (born July 15, 1982 in Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, sometime music journalist and zine publisher. He is best known as the frontman for the Melbourne indie rock band Captain Oats. In addition to this, he also composes improvisational ambient pieces (often sexual and confronting in nature) under the moniker Cruciphilia.
The first son of Melbourne-based writer/composer Craig Christie (Crusade, Eurobeat), Ben took to music at an early age and often made cassette recordings of himself singing his favorite songs as a child. An avid fan of the '90s alternative rock scene, he took up guitar at the age of 12, but gradually became more attracted to music journalism during his later teens. After finishing high school, he studied a writing diploma for two years at Swinburne University of Technology, whilst also finding time to voluntarily organise all-ages shows in Croydon, and write reviews and articles for the Melbourne street press (including Beat and Inpress magazines).
In 2004, he published a successful series of zines entitled (The) Thoughts (of a Wannabe Emo Kid). The zine is currently on hiatus, with no official word as to when or if a new issue will be compiled in future.
Christie has performed under many guises including Not In Kansas Anymore, Benjysponder, Bozo Macgillicuddy's Drum Machine Spectacular, and as a member of the short-lived novelty outfit Trolley Poles of the Hare Krishna. Though Captain Oats is still 'on the backburner', there are plans for activity sometime in 2007.
[edit] Trivia
He is bisexual, and an avowed atheist.
His favorite food is pasta.
