Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - EPIC

Man, these guys are epic!  It's gonna be epic! What an epic show!

Now, I realize, in my far south Chicago suburban childhood home, we were slow with the cool-hip new phrases back in the 80s - but I do recall everything being "epic".

So, EPIC is the perfect name for an epic 80s tribute band.  Or, as they say a Live 80s Experience!

Epic is a Chicagoland band focused solely on celebrating the music (and style) of the 80s.  A 5-piece band (true to 80s form), featuring guitar, bass, keys, drums, and a lead vocalist/frontman.

I recall the first time I saw them, it was in a southwest suburban club, and I arrived a little bit late.  I walked in, the place was PACKED....PACKED.   And somewhere near the middle of the club was this guy with long hair, ripped jeans, bandana tied around one leg, standing on a table - SINGING.  Cordless mic and all, belting out one of those patented high-vocal-range 80s hits - with about a dozen people standing around him with their arms up screaming.  Right then I knew, THIS is a band I want to see.  Or maybe, I thought, "this is epic!".

The band totally understands the 80s and their attire attests to that, but so does their stage presence.  Typical of 80s "hairbands" (which used to be a 4-letter word, but has become cool again - as it should be) - they had some choreographed moves during key parts of the songs.  Very professionally done and it is obvious this band works well together.  Pretty much everybody in the band shares vocals throughout the show, with of course the lead vocalist being also a frontman.  For those not from the 80s - a frontman not only sings, but is also sort of the "showman" of the band.  In addition, the bassist also plays 6-string, the vocalist plays 6-string, the keyboardist plays bass, and so on -  you get the picture.

High energy is most definitely the best way to describe this band.  This is one of those bands where it is CLEARLY obvious they love what they do - always smiling, laughing, and joking.  But, always professional and dead-on with faithful recreations of 80s hits.  Because they are doing covers - covers of songs practically memorized by their fans - only a spot-on recreation of the song would work - and that is exactly what they give.  Close your eyes - and you think you are listening the stereo.  The vocal range of the singer is off the charts - and the musical talent of those playing the instruments is 100% top notch.

The variety is out of this world, from Journey to Bon Jovi to REO to Cheap Trick to GNR to Poison to Kenny Loggins to Prince to Mellencamp to Rush and even Twisted Sister.  This band plays it all - if it came from the 80s - it's probably in their set list!!  Throw in an occasional 70s or 90s hit to mix it up as well.

In all honesty, if you are a graduate of the 80s and looking for a High School Reunion band - I can't think of a better one than Epic!  I mean, they are epic after all!

I recommend catching a live show of theirs soon.  They just happen to be playing Steger Days of Music on the Main Stage from 5:30-6:30pm on Sunday, July 19.  But you can also check their webpage for other shows.  Worth the price of admission - seriously.

Epic Page - http://epic-rocks.com/index.html