The Epitones are a three piece band (soon to be four!) based in North London, with soulful British invasion mod/punk tones. Formed by Matt House (Guitar and Lead Vocals) and Owen Elkan (Bass and Backing Vocals) back in 2002, they have only recently started performing with solid and committed drummer Kwame Atta-Kusi (or AK as he is known).
The Epitones have so far played in various venues in and around London, wowing audiences with their mix of songwriting ability, aggressive vocal energy, biting guitar, growling bass and pounding drums. This is a band on the rise, gaining more momentum with each live performance. Additional guitarist, Simon Wild, is now rehearsing, and will join the band onstage as of August!
Matt House (Lead Vocals / Guitar) Owen Elkan (Backing Vocals / Bass Guitar) AK (Drums) .....
How did you all meet?
Myself (Owen-bass/backing vocals) and Matt (Guitar/vocals) met at college in 2002, started writing songs, and performed with various drummers until AK found our advert in the Loot back in March - its been all go since then. We are adding Simon, our second guitarist soon - who we met through various friends.
So you are now heading down the line of the classic 4 piece do you think that will give you more scope, esp
say when playing live ?
Going to a 4 piece will allow us even more freedom when it comes to song composition not only on stage (where Matt being the singer/guitarist, will be the most to benefit from having an additional guitarist) but also in the studio.
What are you all about ?
The Epitones are about energy and songs basically, punchy, driving, to the point songs .
What about other bands current or from the past who do you all like has style influenced any of you ?
We are influenced bands such as The Who, The Kinks, Beatles, Small faces,The Jam, Supergrass , The stone Roses - as well as all the Motown/Stax/Atlantic artists which are really too many to list. AK has other influences in his drumming style being of a franco/american background, in addition to the bands named above, he digs the Queens of the Stone Age and would list drummers Joey Castillio, as well as Rollum Haas (The Features) amongst his influences.
There is a defo Mod- British-ness in your influences, are you trying to revive that sound or draw from it and move it on ?
Perhaps more the latter, although to be frank it's not something we've thought about. As a goup of individuals, we just happen to share a love for the same styles of music, and playing together is just our way to express that. Where we go from here only time will tell. But we try not to put a label on things - AK didn't really know what a mod (not having been brought up in the UK) until he started playing in the band..
For any one out there that has not heard or seen the band, how would you say you sounded ?
We have a loud, powerful driving sound- quite like the Who during their "maximum R&B" period. But, at the same time, not really;) We like to keep the songs fairly simple, but always with interesting rhythmic foundation. Each song we do tends to have its own little hook (or in most cases several) be it in the bass part, the drumming, or the way the guitars interact, no two songs sound the same in that respect.
And what about the way you look ?
Four, fab, modern guys !
Any other acts you would like to play the same bill with ?
Doesnt really matter right now ! Doing the pub circuit, we are billed with so many different bands that are nothing like us! We are at phase where we'll play anytime, anywhere!
What about your gear, or is it all bang up to date ? or do you use vintage ?
We use all the classic stuff (Rickenbacker, Fender, Gibson) although currently none of our guitars are actual "vintage" pieces. We do use old guitar amps tho, cant beat those! AK uses a Mapex kit with a combination of Paiste and Zildjian Cymbals.
What's ur view on the so called Britpop revival ?
Britpop never died!
Britpop never died your right there, but what about the Success it seems to be having at the moment
with likes of Kaiser Chiefs and bands like that, do u think it will stay mainstream longer than Britpop circa '95 ?
We hope it will, but musical styles have a habit of getting 'stale' before 'disappearing' to freshen up..which is a good thing. You can have 'too much
of a good thing' - meaning a lot of bands want to jump on bandwagons rather than do what comes naturally.
Britpop at the time did help to remove the invasion of even shitter Grunge bands though ! Don't you agree ?
S'pose there's room for different types of bands..so long as there aren't too many shit ones! And yes, in that respect Britpop did us a great service...grunge was helping to breed a nation of depressive introverts!
What kind of response does the band get in Britain and the rest of Europe?
We are a brand new band so we 'll have to wait and see!
Any other European bands that you feel a kinship with or can recommend ?
None we're aware of.
So u can't think of any bands that fit the mould, we come across tones of bands like you, maybe should all join together and tour that would be some mega event..
That would be great..maybe we'll come across some of these bands soon..
Any bands in USA you dig ?
The Kings of Leon are cool, The Features also..
Where have been your best gigs ?
The Bull and Gate seems to be a venue we feel comfortable in -The Dublin Castle also - we cope well in most venues...
Where are u looking forward to playing then ? what's lined up for the rest of the year ?
Looking forward to playing anywhere and everywhere we can! We have a series of gigs lined up which should take towards October. Obviously looking to book some more. We will also be returning to the Studio mid
September to record some new songs.
Are there any record labels sniffing around you as a band ?
Chromium Records have offered us a developement deal we are looking into currently . We are also in touch with an A&R person at Sanctuary Records. He is being fantastic and really believes in us. He is working
independently from his company right now, but who knows what the future holds...!
Would you prefer a label that has other 60's type bands already on it or a label that just wants to push you as a band ?
We'd rather have a label that pushes us as a band any day! As we said earlier, we're not looking to fit a mould or be associated with a movement just for the sake of it. We want label which believes in us and nurtures us to the best of it's ability
Is there a single planned ?
Hopefully soon yes. It will be a downloadable one only, with Chromium Records
Do u have any other outside influences like Film or Art ?
Definitely not Arnold Schwarzenegger movies!
What are ur tunes about ?
That universal thing called life!
Sum up the band in 3 mighty words ?
Loud. Amazing. Quality
Sounds good to me..Tony Clark