Epi-Demic Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

A: The band is doing great! We are all very excited for the new release, so far its everything we wanted it to be and more. We've been very busy lately promoting our full length split album with Solanum "Passages to Lunacy" and writing new material for a full length album to be released later on this year. We are also rehearsing religiously, working on some new t-shirt designs and preparing for a summer tour. Things are picking up in a big way which is really cool for us.

2.So far you have released a demo, full length and recently have been a part off a split, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented don all of the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?

A: Our sound has always been an aggressive and unconventional form of crossover/thrash. Our first demo "The Plague Begins" is definitely our most primitive work, it has much more of a hardcore punk feeling to it, but we still perform songs from it when we play live. The second release "Madness" is more much more accomplished in its production, song writing, and execution. Now with "Passages To Lunacy" we have really hit our stride, the songs are unrelenting and our best work to date. I would say each release has been better than the one before it as we've progressed as musicians and songwriters, which makes me very eager to record the next full length album.

3.The band has been around since 2005 and has only put out 3 released so far, can you tell us a little bit more about the gap between releases?

A: We've always done things in our own way. Sometimes we have focused more on playing local shows or touring than writing or recording, and we write songs at our own pace. We try not to force anything if it doesn't work, sometimes it takes awhile to get a song right. I wish we had the time and money to do an album every year, that would be great, we would never stop! That being said we have a lot of great new songs ready to go and we can't wait to hit the studio in the near future.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

A: Epi-demics lyrics deal in harsh realities and the pain and suffering that accompanies the human condition. Life can be hard sometimes, the obstacles and the overcoming of obstacles in life is something that I very much enjoy exploring and writing about. Death, sickness, insanity, hatred, injustice, all of these things are with us in some way everyday, it is a matter of how one deals with these pressures that truly matters. I like to take these themes and approach them from as many different angles as I can until I find a narrative that works the best with the felling of the music. I'm not specifically talking about what's right and what's wrong, I'm just talking about what I see going on around me, how it affects me and how I see it affecting others.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name  Epi-Demic'?

A: Our bass player Kyle came up with the name, we all liked it and it ties into our lyrical content nicely. Also thematically Epi-demic represents what we want to achieve with our music live and on the recordings. The idea being that an epidemic spreads and infects the mind and the body, which is what we want when people hear our music. Total infection of body and mind.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

A: First one that comes to mind is playing the metal festival Noctis V in 2012 in Calgary, it was very cool, very professional and it gave us a chance to make our mark locally. Playing at Eli's in Oakland was a blast too, it was a cool bar with a lot of history and a gritty atmosphere.  Ash St. in Portland was...well it was Portland, it was a great time and we had fun. We've played a couple really fun basement shows too. Our CD release show for "Madness" was another good show with good friends. Our approach on stage is definitely music first, we don't run around doing punk jumps with pyro going off and big screens and half naked women everywhere. Don't get me wrong we are not lifeless corpses up there, we do move around and get into it, but being a guitar player and a singer seriously limits how much I can move at any given time. Overall our stage show is intense because our music is intense. In my opinion the music will always be more important than the theatrics.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

A: Yes we plan on doing a tour of the east coast of Canada/U.S. for summer 2015 with Solanum. We had a couple setbacks last year that prevented us from touring, it was a hardship but we've moved on and now we are ready to unleash hell on the road again. We will make our way from Calgary east to Toronto, south to the tri-state area and back. Thus far we have focused on the west when we have toured, now we turn our attention to the east. There are so many cities to play that are new to us in that area, so many virgin ears out there to penetrate and immolate.

8.Recently you where a part off a split with 'Solanum', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the split?

A: Solanum is awesome. Their music kicks ass and I'm proud to call them friends. We have played a few shows together that were awesome (even played a Monday night gig in Calgary that did really well). They have had us out to Winnipeg for some ripping good times that will not be soon forgotten. We are very like-minded as bands and as people, we get along well and dig the same music, that's why we decided to do this album as a split. When I first heard Solanum I knew that they "got it" and that we would all work really well together. Can't wait to hit the road with them in summer 2015!

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of crossover and thrash?  

A: It's been very positive which is really cool. We've talked to people in Indonesia, U.K, Germany, Greece among others. We've traded albums with a couple bands, its been great. The great thing about music is that it does not require comprehension of language to feel and appreciate.  I've heard bands that, I don't know what the hell they are saying, but I love the aggression and the attitude of it so it doesn't matter that I cant understand the words. I think that's why we have been so well received internationally so far, people understand what we're trying to do, even if they don't get exactly what I'm saying, the feeling is there.

10.When can we expect another full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

A: A full length is on its way this year for sure. We are very close to having all the songs written and polished. After that we will select a studio that can give us what we need in terms of atmosphere, production and cost. As soon as we have accomplished that we will update our fans via bandcamp, facebook etc and let them know when to expect the next wave of brutality, so stay tuned and up to date!  As for the future we will continue to play heavy, intense music and write the best songs we can while also endeavouring to make our way to Europe, Asia, and South America. 

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to 

nowadays?

A: Bands that have influenced me are bands like Cro-Mags, Broken Bones, Death, Possessed, DRI, Celtic Frost. Right now I'm listening to a lot of Ludichrist, Crumbsuckers, Samhain, Asphyx, and No Mercy. I love Crossover/Thrash and it is my main influence but I listen to a great variety of music and draw influence from most anything.  From Jazz and Blues music to Death metal and Grind core the more music I listen too the better I get as a songwriter and musician.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

A: I collect LPs, books, and old horror movie stuff and I like to hang out with my friends and watch mma or kick boxing and drink beer. I like to go to shows and check out bands. I work a lot, but the majority of my time when I get home is spent playing guitar or writing lyrics, music is my life.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

A: You can check out Epi-Demic here:https://www.facebook.com/theplaguebegins13

and here:http://epi-demic.bandcamp.com/

and buy our split album here:http://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/store/hpgd103.html

Support the underground and we'll see you down the road!