Interview with Epic Tantrum
Sofa King Cool caught up with Epic Tantrum and we discussed their debut album, “Abandoned in the Strangers Room” which was released just prior to the lockdown and what it is like being able to promote the album and tour now, we talk about their unique style of music and how it came about, their own music festival, their live shows and what is next for them
Containing elements of prog rock, jazz, and heavy metal, Epic Tantrum’s debut offering, the double disc ‘Abandoned In the Stranger’s Room’ will be released in January 2020 – with the first part of the album, ‘Abandoned,’ featuring studio recordings of previously unreleased material. The second part, ‘The Stranger’s Room,’ features live versions of songs from Abandoned as well as material that appeared on previously released demos. The album also features a cover design by Ioaniss of DangerousAge Graphics, who has designed covers for King Crimson, Dream Theater, Sepultura and many more.
One of the standout tracks on the album is one entitled “Letting Go” – a cinematic piece of music, which serves as a chapter of disillusionment within that larger narrative. When you listen to the finished version, it may be hard to believe that the song originally started as an acoustic arrangement; the demo evoked hitherto undeveloped instrumentals which masterfully contributed to the vision of our pilgrim’s plight. The coda juxtaposes the earlier, conventional structure with something more ethereal and impressionistic. The piece begins with a catchy but moody, emotional verse, chorus – twists and turns – becomes a bombastic, cathartic blast of emotion at the end.
Epic Tantrum is comprised of members Peter – guitar, vox; Paul – guitar, vox; Greg – bass, vox; and Z – drums. The origins of the band started in in Syracuse, NY in 2007 when Peter and Paul began recording instrumental classical guitar pieces. They enjoyed working together and decided to write and record original material in Paul’s studio, known as The Strangers Room. Inspired by the creative process of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, the two wrote songs and tinkered with them until they were satisfied, at which point they brought in friends to round out their recording sessions. Paul’s longtime friend Z joined the band as the drummer. They named this collaboration Epic Tantrum, and the demo ‘31st’ and ‘Mary’ was completed in 2011. Over the next few years, they continued to write and record material – but the goal of a full band remained elusive. In 2016, Greg joined the band as bassist and the hard work of finishing their debut album kicked into full gear.
Epic Tantrum started playing live in 2017 and has already shared the stage with national recording artists – such as King’s X.
“Epic Tantrum is like the bastard children of Rush and Steely Dan. Powerful clever songs with twists and turns and musicianship to match,” said Ioannis of DangerousAge Graphics. “This band is something special.”
“The best new band I have seen in over a decade,” said the Matt Cooper, the owner of the Inside Out Tavern in Syracuse, NY where Epic Tantrum played their first show. “They played three songs in my club and I ran on stage, grabbed the mic and declared them my favorite new band!”
And with the arrival of ‘Abandoned In the Stranger’s Room,’ the rest of the world will soon experience the outstanding talents of the fast-rising Epic Tantrum.
