Epitome Newsletter Interview

Epitome are an alternative grunge rock band from Auckland. Band members are Grant (guitar, vocals), Carl (drums), Warren (bass) and Sam (guitar).

Who are your favourite NZ bands and artists?

Grant: The Datsuns, Six Day War, Redline, Autozamm
Sam: The Datsuns and shihad
Carl: Redline, and Autozamm
Warren: The Datsuns, Epitome – or any other NZ band that gives it everything on stage

What is your favourite NZ venue?

Grant: Western Springs, The Masonic Tavern (lol)
Carl: Ericsson Stadium, The Masonic Tavern
Sam: The St James
Warren: Theres so many good venues around NZ to play at its hard to pick just one. The whole place is just set up for bands so i guess any packed out bar with lotsa beer.

What is the best thing about being in Epitome?

Grant: Shredding guitar solos, and an being able to play and write the music we like.
Carl: Being able to abuse people and get away with it because your in a band
Sam: Getting smashed with warren before gigs and screaming stuff at each other on stage
Warren: Being able to go insanely nuts on stage whilst still playing our favorite style of music. That and trying to out quote each other on the simpsons.

What is the best live gig you have ever been to?

Grant: Metallica @ Big Day out, and Joe Satriani @ The St James
Carl: Foo Fighters @ Ericsson Stadium ’05
Sam: Metallica
Warren: Metallica BDO ’04

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Carl: touring the US, or maybe the UK with Epitome, two albums behind
us, and a playing some damn good music
Grant: Ditto
Sam: Depends on how our album release goes. Best case scenario touring US opening for Metallica
Warren: Having a bass shred-off with flea, billy sheehan and Pat Callis.

How do you keep in contact with your fans?

Grant: err..Live shows, Txt bombs, flyers, posters, smoke signals
Carl: Text bombs, email, websites, and by Helen Clark preaching racial injustice in parliament
Sam: most of our fans are my mates so i just tell them
Warren: via the "We hate Creed & Scott Stapp" forums

What rumour would you like to start about yourselves?

Grant: That once i lived in a land where lions roamed freely in my backyard…and James Hetfield was my personal butler, and homer simpson was my therapist.
Carl: that i slept with a rooster and got an STD, and thats why my hair is multicoloured
Sam: That our bassist played in Creed
Warren: 3 out of the 4 band members ice their nipples before going on stage.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

Grant: Put everything into your live shows, get people talking about your music, (good or bad), and get brilliant at whatever instrument you play, theres nothing worse than seeing a half arsed attempt at a guitar solo. When you’ve got a good command of your instrument, its easier to be creative and add more to your music.
Carl: don’t give up no matter how hard the challenge seems, and don’t split up as a band .. If you arent in a band, you cant become famous as one.
Warren: Dont forget why you started playing music. Keep it professional but in the end its all about having fun and rocking out, oh and watch plenty Simpsons.
Sam: Dont do it for money cos theres not a lot to be made, only do it if you enjoy it.