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                                                                           EPIC – Biography

 

EPIC was first assembled as a concept act in late 2014 by lead vocalist and bassist Jesse Balfour. Jesse is an accomplished performer with a long history of successful acts and thousands of gigs to his credit including leading notorious party bands SuperCheeze, Mr Wizard, original band Wild Jester, residencies in (casinos, MGM Darwin, Lasseters Casino - Alice Springs) (performing in Europe with Tom Meisner/ Rick Fenn/ Roy Wilders , Sydney NYE 2012 Glebe Island ),  and most recently contributing songs to, playing on and producing the first album for local exports The Unforgiven Band. An experienced entertainer and solo performer, Jesse wanted EPIC to be ‘more than just another coverband’ -  an act that could and would perform previously untouched songs to a simple three point plan:

 

a: EPIC will play material that no other band is currently or has dared attempt in the past.

 

b: Most songs in the repertoire will have been hits on a grand scale and/or featured large scale production.

Audiences will know, remember, love, laugh, cry, and dance with every number. First and foremost the band is there to entertain!

 

c: All songs will be played with accurate respect to the original, be performed professionally with class and flair, all critical parts represented along with strong vocal harmonies whilst still allowing the members personalities to shine through. This will all be delivered with state-of-the-art sound production at every venue, every show for an enjoyable and memorable audience experience.

 

To achieve this vision, JB began by recruiting the services of longtime studio collaborator........

 

 - Alan Park - Keyboards.

 

Al is a certified musical legend, most notably having served as Sir Cliff Richard’s musical director for many years. During this tenure he performed in front of record breaking audiences at the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Stadium in London and also toured in Europe, the USA and Australia. Prior to this Alan worked with a host of British musical royalty including members of the Small Faces, Nik Kershaw, The Shadows, 10CC, prog-rock group “Beggars Opera” and many many more. In more recent times after moving to live permanently on the Far North Coast of NSW, Al has entertained local audiences in “The Feramones”, “The Camel Tones” and “The Soul Shakers”, “The Steely Dan Tribute” as well as remaining a first-call session keyboardist both live and studio. No sound is unattainable, no part out of reach for Alan and thus he is the maestro that makes the EPIC lineup possible.

 

Any band is only as solid as its rhythm section, however. To provide Jesse with the foundation to drive such a wide-ranging repertoire forward there was only one logical choice in the region........

 

 – Pete Brentnall – drums and backing vocals

 

Son of Australian Jazz Trumpeter Ken Brentnall and veteran of North NSW touring pub/ club acts  Vicious Rumours, Hot Dog, The Henchmen, former Sydney original bands The Hurt, The Playboys and numerous recording and backing sessions with local songwriters, Pete’s musical heritage brings impeccable musicianship, dynamics, tone, taste as well as strong harmony vocals and an energetic live performance presence. Pete is relishing the challenge of rehearsing and performing complex yet entertaining material as well as being able to work with like-minded experienced musical professionals in present a high-quality band he can enjoy and be proud of every time he walks onstage.

 

Heading up any grandiose rock and roll show requires an experienced and confident ‘lead guitarist’… Jesse placed a call to another old friend and former musical colleague who he knew could cover the range of styles needed, as well as sharing lead vocalist duties when required......

 

 -Stuart Kent – Guitar and Vocals

 

‘Stuie’ as North Coast audiences have known him for many years now was also in The Henchmen with Pete. He was the “go-to-rock-guitar-guy” for Top Cat Recording Studio and WindSong Records artists, led and toured with his own original band Mudskipper (with whom he won a Dolphin Award) and hard rockers The Rockadiles in the 90’s. He also wrote and recorded advertising jingles, played in many bands as a ‘hired gun’ including recording and touring with Australian Idol finalist Peter Ryan and 301 Records artists Elevait. In addition, Stuart is also currently fronting Country-Rock group The Unforgiven as vocalist and guitarist. He brings his own style and sound to the EPIC stage with consummate professionalism, passion and a dash of swagger. It is no small task to be both Freddie Mercury AND Brian May in one song, then Steve Marriott, David Gilmour or Larry Carlton the next, but Stu pulls it off onstage every time with a showman’s attitude, extracting many sounds from his well-loved Stratocaster, hair flying 70’s guitar hero style.

 

Since coming together the band have amassed a list of ** songs over the past 12 months including some recently added originals and have received an overwhelmingly positive response at each and every show so far. They are now in regular rotation for the coveted Sunday Session at premier East Coast venue the Byron Bay Beach Hotel and are continually expanding their repertoire in between live shows.

          EPIC

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