EPIC
Web: www.epictheband.com.au
Email: info@epictheband.com.au
EPIC, created to boldly go where other cover bands dare not, are now celebrating their tenth year of aurally stimulating audiences along the Australian East Coast. EPIC was founded by the incredibly multitalented and visionary musician, the late Jesse Balfour (1967-2024). Jesse had one main aim for EPIC: To play the songs that other cover bands won’t.
EPIC features the incredible talents of Alan Park (Keyboards), Stuart Kent (Vocals/Guitar), James Palmer (Vocals/Drums), and Greg Strong (Vocals/Bass).
Together, the EPIC lineup has performed alongside some fantastic artists, including Sir Cliff Richard, The Doobie Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Small Faces, The Shadows, 10cc, Beggars Opera, Mitch King, Phil Emmanuel, Daddy Cool, Skyhooks, Todd Robinson, Ian Moss, Peter Ryan, Brian Cadd, Dame Edna, Billy Connolly, and the list goes on.
When Jesse put EPIC together, he ensured the following:
All songs in the EPIC repertoire have been hits on a grand scale, and EPIC reproduces each song with accurate respect to the original, representing all critical parts with class and flair while still allowing the members’ personalities and musical influences to shine through. This is all delivered through state-of-the-art sound and lighting production at every venue.
EPIC is currently one of the highest-rotated bands at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay, one of the premier live music venues on the East Coast of Australia.
Prepare to embark on a journey back to the era when ROCK was truly EPIC!
"What a brilliant band...amazing songs, voices and musicians. Such a treat to see them at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay”- Donna
“Fantastic music, you guys are bloody cool. No one plays this repertoire” - Steve
“Saw you guys at the Shaws Bay Hotel. Impressed!” – Janelle
“Saw you guys on Saturday night; you guys are excellent! One Pink Floyd song at the end and you guys would be worshipped as GODS! YOU GUYS ARE VERY GOOD” – Allan
“Unreal” – Khange
“With the personnel in EPIC, it couldn’t be anything but...” – Brett
“You guys are the real deal. No one else is doing this repertoire” – Tracy
“I am definitely flying you guys over to play at my wedding in Portland. The best covers group I have heard in Australia or the US for that matter!” – Scott
“If ‘EPICAL’ was a word, that would be the ultimate way to describe my Sunday night at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay” – Tom
“Easy to tell you guys are seasoned professionals. Best gig I’ve been to in a long time” – Trish
Alan Park – Keyboards
Al is a certified musical legend, having served as Sir Cliff Richard’s musical director and keyboardist for many years. During this tenure, he performed in front of record-breaking audiences at the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Stadium in London. He has also toured all major countries as a professional musician and musical director.
Before this, Al worked with a host of British musical royalty, including members of the Small Faces, Nik Kershaw, The Shadows, Olivia Newton-John, Don Everly, Skunk Baxter, Manhattan Transfer, Elaine Paige, 10cc, Beggars Opera, and many others. Al has also worked with comedy artists Hale and Pace, Billy Connolly, and Dame Edna, covering a multitude of genres and musical styles.
In more recent times, after moving to live permanently in Byron Bay, NSW, Australia, Al has entertained local audiences in The Feramones, The Camel Tones, The Soul Shakers, and The Steely Dan Tribute, while remaining a first-call session keyboardist both live and in the studio. No sound is unattainable, and no part is out of reach for Al; thus, he is the maestro that makes the EPIC lineup possible.
Stuart Kent – Lead Guitar & Vocals
‘Stuie,’ as North Coast audiences have known him for many years, was a prominent member of the North Coast rock group, The Henchmen. He was the “go-to rock guitar guy” for Top Cat Recording Studio and WindSong Records artists.
Stuie led and toured with his original band Mudskipper (with whom he won a Dolphin Award) and hard rockers The Rockadiles in the 90s. He also wrote and recorded advertising jingles and played in many bands as a ‘hired gun,’ including recording and touring with Australian Idol finalist Peter Ryan and 301 Records artists Elevait. Additionally, Stuart fronted the Country-Rock group, The Unforgiven, as vocalist and guitarist. Nowadays, alongside EPIC, Stu is the frontman and guitar slinger in Bulletproof.
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 70s guitar hero style.
James Palmer – Drums & Vocals
Originally from Byron Bay, NSW, and now residing in Brisbane, QLD, James has successfully shaped his career as a professional musician, music educator, and audio engineer. He has performed at numerous venues across Australia and with a variety of artists along the East Coast.
James has had the privilege of working with many nationally and internationally acclaimed artists throughout his continually developing professional tenure – both as a drummer/keyboardist and audio engineer. He has also contributed to multiple TV ads, gaming soundtracks, and other jingles. Alongside his full-time music teaching in Brisbane, managing, playing, and providing production for EPIC, he is also the manager, drummer, vocalist, and production provider for pub rockers, Bulletproof.
Not only does Jimmy lower the average age of the band, he also delivers energetic live performances with strong vocal harmonies, drawing on his many influences, including Jeff Porcaro (TOTO, Steely Dan), Phil Rudd (AC/DC), and Steve Gadd (Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt). His multifaceted skills and dynamic presence make him an indispensable member, without whom, EPIC would not be possible.
