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We've always been a firm believer that when going to
gigs you should make every effort to check out not only the headliner but
also the support act too. Epic are a prime example of why this is so
important. On watching them earlier this year performing at the
infamous Gasworks venue in Bradford the words jaw-dropping spring to mind.
Want to know more? We sure do!
MM - Hi guys, please introduce yourselves to our readers. Who are
Epic?
Epic -
Donna Petrie – Vocals, Ben Fessey -
Guitar, Bruce Kinloch - Drums, Marcus Clarke - Bass.
MM - Would you like to give us a brief
history on the band, how it all came about, how it's evolved and where you
call home etc.?
Epic -
Ben and Bruce were
in a band back in school but they didn’t have many opportunities to take
it further. Marcus and Donna were always interested, but Epic didn’t form
until college years through a mutual love of Rock ‘n’ Roll and a lack of
things to do in our town. We’d say Bedale is home, in particular the 3
Coopers … our local pub!
MM -
For anyone who isn't familiar with your
blend of music, how would you best describe your songs to them?
Epic -
Classic rock ‘n’
roll with a ballsy female singer and a rap god MC! (So not really Classic
at all … haha … we’re a funny band …)
MM -
Overall, how do you feel the bands sound
has developed since you originally started?
Epic -
We
first started with the very typical rock sound playing covers from the
likes of AC/DC, Nickelback, Guns n Roses and Audioslave. More recently we
have experimented with different genres and styles such as Blues, Acoustic
and Funk, whilst still sticking to our guns.
MM -
Which magical musical moment motivated
you to start a band?
Donna
- I always loved singing, and particularly writing, but I found myself
more interested in rock music in my early teenage years. I used to hang
around Ben and Bruce’s old band practices trying to make them listen to me
hahaha. The first time I sang with them I knew it was what I wanted to do!
Marcus -
Watching Bruce and Ben rock out on stage with the band they were in
previously. I was determined to be up there with them one day! I was in a
string of useless bands in college that weren’t going anywhere so Epic was
a perfect opportunity.
Ben -
Once I started playing guitar, I saw an AC/DC video and I was hooked!
Bruce
- I wanted to drum since primary school but there was never a chance. In
High School and walked past the drum teacher and BAM!
Whole Band
- The Gods of rock ‘n’ roll spoke to us!!!
J
MM - Where does the bands name come from and are there any hidden
meanings behind it? Can you remember any of the other names that were
considered at the time?
Epic -
A former member of the band came up with the name.
There isn’t really a meaning behind it but it’s easily remembered and over
time it seemed to reflect our style of writing and performing.
MM - What do you feel has
been the bands biggest accomplishment so far?
Epic -
Winning
Bedale Rock in the Park battle of the bands competition in front of all
our friends and family was pretty fun. Recently we have been branching
into different areas and bigger venues and are trying to play as many gigs
as possible.
MM -
Do the band have any CD’s available or
even some demo’s, so that people who aren’t familiar with your music can
check the band out?
Epic -
We have a demo which
we recorded in 2006 so those tracks are currently available on our myspace.
We are now recording a new 8 track demo which should be completed by April
this year and will be available ASAP.
MM -
Who or what inspired you to play rock
music in the first place? Who were your idols when you were growing up?
Ben -
Guitarists such as Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Jimi
Hendrix and Jimmy Page.
Marcus -
Run DMC, NWA, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy and
Rage Against the Machine.
Bruce
- Nickelback, ACDC, Travis
Barker, John Bohnam, Daniel Adair and Keith Moon.
Donna -
Singers such
as Robert Plant, Stevie Nicks, Shirley Manson and Axl Rose (gotta love
those gingers!)
MM - How does the song writing process work
within the band? Is it down to one particular person or do you all get
involved?
Epic -
Can vary a lot, usually the music is written before lyrics sometimes just
jammed out sometimes, more thought gone in. Whatever works really! After
we’ll pick weaknesses out and chop and change them; I.E. form, tempo, key
and mode. Usually the music is fully written before Donna writes lyrics
and melodies, and a song is often completed before we’ll decide to chop
and change things. However, we often take songs we wrote a while ago and
make them more interesting as our writing skills as a band develop.
MM - Is there a song written by someone else that you love and wish
you'd been the one to write?
Ben -
Sweet Child ‘O Mine for sure. The solo is
just amazing.
Bruce -
Moby Dick by Led Zep for obvious reasons!!
Marcus -
Probably any song off It Takes a Nation by Public Enemy… or New Born by
Muse.
Donna -
Whole Lotta Love or anything off Appetite for Destruction.
MM -
How do you see the present state of the
rock scene at the moment? What music have you been listening to
yourselves lately?
Epic -
We think there is
far too much of the same thing – manufactured degenerate bands who seem to
disappear after one album. Marcus likes the electro movement and feels
that bands need to be more open to other forms of music as their
inspiration. However, bands such as Black Stone Cherry, The Answer and
even local boys Whitefire are holding down the fort for rock ‘n’ roll.
MM - Who designs
the logo/merchandise artwork for the band?
Epic - Bruce
designs all the artwork on the myspace and CD covers.
MM - What are your long term aims for
the band and what do you personally hope to achieve?
Epic - We would like to tour more and get
a decent fan base. We aim to spread the word about Epic and make music as
a profession for as long as we can.
MM -
Would you describe yourselves as
optimists or pessimists? Is you glass half full or half empty?
Epic - We are
optimistic but at the same time we’re quite self critical when it comes to
performing and writing. THE GLASS IS ALWAYS FULL BABY!
MM
- In three words, how would
your best friend describe you?
Ben -
Lazy, funny and
devoted (Bruce said this)
Bruce
- Hilarious, sexy and solid
(Ben said this)
Marcus -
Well-endowed, observant and ingenious (we all said this)
Donna -
Boobs (??) Crazy and demanding in a good way apparently! (We all said
this)
MM - Finally
is there anything you'd like to say to all our readers out there?
Epic - Come check
us out if you like the sound of us! We dress to impress!!! Woo!
J
Oh and… we will one day run a naked mile!
MM - We'd like to thank
Epic for taking the time out to chat with us today and if you haven't
already checked out this particular new band make sure you do, they'll
reinforce your faith in the next generation of rock. |
