“Outlier”, EKEN IS DEAD's latest EP release which features five brand new songs and a bonus re-imagining of their anthem, “At Any Cost”. The EP was recorded at Fletcher Dragge’s Screaming Leopard Studios, Hermosa Beach CA, engineered and mixed by Prick Reuben (like the sandwich) aka Gagg Green and mastered by Gene Grimaldi at Oasis Mastering, Burbank CA. This is EID's third release on Blacksound Records, preceded by 2008's "Amendment" and 2011's "What Lies In The Mirror". The boys are gearing up right now to support the EP with tours across the Western United States now.
1. Outlier
2. Embrace
3. Fractured
4. Trained to Hate
5. As Soon As Tomorrow
6. At Any Cost (Acoustic)
Eken's first official review. A lot has happened in the year and a half since I was first introduced to Vic, Chris, Gagg, and Jake, and in that time I have seen Eken a handful of times. Each time more impressed than the next. Like a ball of pure electricity Chris bounces around the stage, this sets the mood for a truly epic show.
Having listened to this EP several times over now, I can see and feel the energy pulse through my head phones. As I write this I am enjoying the acoustic version of 'At Any Cost'. Tomorrow night, May 16th, 2014 Eken will come together in an EPIC night mixed with friends, music and celebration of Outlier.
Highly impressed by the lyrics, vocals and clarity of the sound, this EP is definitely worth the time. EID has always had a unique sound, with lyrics and a sound so pure it tugs at your soul. Gagg mastering the 6 string bass, you can feel each note as it pumps through your veins, the sound of Vic's guitar serenading and hypnotizing you, you suddenly feel as though you were the only one in a dark room as Chris mesmerizes you with his voice.
Eken is Dead is not just a band, it's an experience.
Its always an honor to be a part of something bigger than my every day life, and this was the finalization that will make me an EID fan for life.
My favorite tracks:
As Soon As Tomorrow
Embrace
Fractured
Join us tomorrow as we celebrate this most amazing EP, enjoy the presence of EID on stage and make sure you let go and enjoy the experience.
I had the chance to talk with Chris from EKEN IS DEAD. And I am definitely impressed with the band, the music and how humble and dedicated they are to their fans and their music.
Let me start by saying that I had never listened to EKEN before Tuesday, I had the chance, but I decided I would let the music speak for itself. And on my ride down to the LaDep house, I did just that. I listened to what the music had to tell me. And I never would have expected it to tell me the story it did.
I usually like to compare bands to each other, its the easier way to identify their sounds, their behaviors, their personas and their vibe. I also like to hear the bands live before I interview them or even think about writing a review. So I'm sitting here listening to their reverb nation account listening to them. I think one of the reasons I am writing the review without listening them to live is because of how last night's phone convo went with Saddy, Chris and myself.
If you like Sepultura, Soulfly, Megadeath, White chapel or H20 you will enjoy EKEN.
Me: Where did the name EKEN IS DEAD come from?
Chris: haha That is the million dollar question. EKEN IS DEAD....Vic was in a band, Called EKEN and he is actually the sole survivor of that band, hence EKEN is semi dead...so that's what is stood for at the time. But was we toured and grew with our music, EKEN IS DEAD became what you think is dead, or what has moved on. Its about overcoming hardships, your beliefs and values. EKEN IS DEAD can be personal.
Me: Who has influenced you personally?
Chris: Nirvana, and a lot of the 90’s style rock bands, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, punk is where my roots are. Sound wise, I would say Tool, Deftones and Rage Against the Machine. Vocally, I would say more like Rise Against and Pantera. Its not just a scream, its something more.
Me:What are you long term goals?
Chris: Bigger tours. Touring with Authority Zero has been amazing. The entire band is amazing. Extremely down to earth and definitely a great experience. We really want to continue to tour and definitely continue to work with Authority Zero and LaDep. We want to go all the way. As far as we can possibly go. We practice 3 times a week, perform at 60-70 shows, dedicate ourselves and our lives and put up with angry girlfriends while we are on the road. Taking turns driving 5 hour legs from Vancouver to get to a show in Cali the next night. That's dedication to our band to our fans.
I didn't ask him directly what the inspiration for the lyrics were, we kind of stepped into it haphazardly, but I could tell that the words and lyrics to each of their original songs was personal. It came from experiences, life, and personalities. One of the biggest things with EKEN IS DEAD is that there isn't just one person who writes the songs, the entire band has input and collectively they write the songs as one.
Saddy: Do you have any advice for bands looking to make it?
Chris: Show up. Dedicate yourself to the band, but more so to the fans. Always find a way to not cancel. Show commitment and dedication.
Saddy: What drives you the most to keep going from one show to the next?
Chris: Finding out what you're made of. Pushing your limits, knowing your boundaries. We drove in 5 hour shifts on a Friday night after a show in Vancouver to make a show in Cali. It took us 16 hours to get home, but we kept going. We refused to cancel. I think in 5 years we have cancelled once. That says a lot, not only about our dedication, but our love for the music and our fans.
I have to say it was an honor to talk with him and while I regret that I didn't get the entire interview recorded, I will have the honor of talking to the entire band on Friday. Something about EKEN moves me. So until I see you in the mosh pit Friday, keep it real.
If you want to hear more from EKEN IS DEAD you can check out their Reverb nation page at
www.revernation.com/ekenisdead
Their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ekenisdead?fref=ts
and you can watch some of their videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/ekenisdead
Tune in Friday from 6-7 while we interview EKEN IS DEAD at KUKQ.com you can also download the app to your phone (available for iPhone and Droid) if you have something you want to ask the band email Alle at undergroundalle@gmail.com
Thanks for reading and stay posted for more events and band interviews and reviews!
If ever there were a CD I listened to many times over that my CD player finally called me a filthy pirate hooker it was this time. I have spent nearly a year trying to put words to the sounds of Inept Hero and each time I sit down to write I come up with a blank page. The moment I was able to write something I tossed it because I realized that I didn't want to write a bad review on a good band, but rather a good review on a band that could use some live sound work but isn't close to be classified as bad.
That band is Inept Hero.
Listening to this band is like laying on your back in a field and letting the crisp and pure sounds of nature molest your body over and over. Aarin, Beau, Rusty and Uzziel come together to build the perfect house of punk rock sounds.
I would list them as my 3rd favorite punk rock band. They are melodious, with rock star drumming, musical guitar riffs, lyrics and vocals that you feel are slowly pulling your soul from your body, maybe speaking directly about the situation you might currently be in.
Inept Hero will clearly be amongst the giants to rise form the ashes of AZ Punk history. Following Authority Zero (cira 1995), Phish, Gin Blossoms, Meat Puppets, Phunk Junkeez, Opiate for the Masses and Carolines Spine (youtube that shit you newb!!)
I will gladly accept listening to Aarin serenade my soul as I board down the AZ slopes, ride my motorcycle across the desert or on a road trip. This is a necessary must have on your play list.
There is a downside. Yep here it is guys, Inept Hero is amazing, good sound, solid vocals and no one instrument drowns out the other....BUT...the live sound is not the best. I have had the chance to listen to them in several different settings but still their sound mutilates my ears. I want to blame the sound guy (you all know there is that one 'sound guy' who sucks a bag of dicks) and so for now I will continue to place blame there.
Here are a couple of goals I have set for Inept Hero:
1) Get your asses on the Warped Tour bill for AZ
2) We need to get you more radio play
3) You need to be on the 2014 bill for the Punk Bowl in Vegas.
I want Inept to be the band you notice when you walk into the room....and surely they will remember you when you're around. They love their fan base and are always welcoming and giving of hugs and smiles.
Check out their sounds at
www.ineptheromusic.com
www.facebook.com/inepthero
www.myspace.com/inepthero
