EKEN IS DEAD is a Los Angeles, CA based four-piece hard rock alternative/metal act. Since it’s inception of 2008, EKEN IS DEAD has been on a mission of domination. In just three years, the band has earned a well-deserved reputation based on professionalism and commitment to excellence. Whether an intimate local show or a packed House of Blues, EKEN IS DEAD has consistently brought their high intensity and charismatic presence to every single one of their shows. In addition to the relentless live schedule for which they have toured both regionally and internationally, EKEN IS DEAD has independently released two full-length albums including their latest effort, What Lies in the Mirror. Bestnewbands.com chatted with Vic Arevalo of the band about a bunch of assorted topics, enjoy!
Daniel Kohn: Where do you draw your influences?
Vic Arevalo: The life we lead individually and collectively would probably be the simplest answer. Each of us is so different and have so much going on that releasing our emotions musically and bouncing ideas off each other has been very effective in creating new material as well as channeling our inner demons into something creative.
DK: How did the band originate/when was the moment you knew the current lineup was going to work?
VA: EKEN IS DEAD rose from the ashes of the first incarnation, EKEN back at the end of 2008 when Chris came on board. EKEN had played the L.A. Club Circuit for a couple of years as Jack (drums), Eric (former bass player), and Vic (guitar) found our respective voices. Gagg came on board at the beginning of 2011 to take over bass duties when Eric left the band to become a full time dad. It was pretty clear that when Chris came on board we were going places that we had never yet been. The addition of Gagg only upped our confidence as we completed writing of the new album and went right in to the studio to put it down on tape.
DK: Who are some the influences that you channel in your sound?
VA: Our influences are fairly diverse and we make no secret about our heroes and often wear them on our sleeves. At any given time you can hear influences from bands like Rise Against, Ignite, Alice In Chains, Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold, and even Pink Floyd. As time goes on and we get to play with more punk bands, there’s definitely been a heavier/faster punk feel to some of our material as well. We can probably thank Authority Zero and Pour Habit for that…
DK: Do you think the area where you guys are based out of has helped shape your sound?
VA: Of course South Bay has a notorious punk tradition that has permeated at least several of our souls just from growing up around town with bands like Black Flag, Pennywise and The Descendents playing everywhere you went. The energy of punk shows and crowds has also become part of who we are as we like to put on as intense a show as we can. Maybe once or twice that high energy has instigated a little trouble, just saying…
DK: What makes the South Bay so badass?
VA: What’s not to love about South Bay? Several of us grew up in and around South Bay and it’s part of whom we are. We have a lot of friends and family which keeps us not much more than a phone call away from trouble and as we said, the tradition of poignant bands that were born here in our backyard.
DK: If you could go back in history and be incarnated as one musician, who would it be and why?
VA: Maybe Jimi Hendrix is too cliché an answer, but he had such a raw and reckless energy that he would be at the top of my list. He was an innovator, a showman, and a performer that connected with his audience. Obviously EID could never hold a candle to who Jimi was and what he created but anyone who knows what we are about know that we will give you all that we are on stage.
DK: Are there any upcoming gigs?
VA: Now that the album production fun is finally finished, we are gearing up to get back to what we do best, live shows. We push a pretty furious pace as far as our live schedule goes so all of Southern California can expect to see shows listed all over. Our independent touring has taken us as far as Vancouver and Florida as well but for the meantime we have a few shows set up in Arizona and Nevada before summer is up and from then we will see about getting back on the road to cities we’ve seen and more we haven’t yet made it to.
DK: What are your plans for the rest of 2011?
VA: The same thing we do every year…Pretty much just get back to playing live, putting together bigger tier shows, touring, writing along the way, and the continual evolution that is our world. We also have plans for our first vinyl release, talk of a live album, discussions of more acoustic shows (possibly an album???), more video releases, and pretty much anything and everything we can to make some noise and get the attention of the known universe. For now though, the most important thing is getting “What Lies In The Mirror” to everyone who wants to hear it played live. Can’t wait!
Check out EKEN’s website for info on their release and upcoming tour dates.
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