dk Reviews

Interview with Josh Eppard (Weerd Science) from Kill Your Own issue #6

Available to buy at: http://killyourown.bigcartel.com/

Josh Eppard used to be the drummer in Coheed and Cambria until he was unceremoniously dumped from the band due to his ever-increasing drug problem. Fast forward several years and Josh has cleaned himself up and now performs solo as Weerd Science. My bud Dan (me) knocked up some questions - and I added a couple - and sent them over to Josh.

Dan: How did the recent UK tour with MC Lars et al go?

Josh: The Uk tour was amazing! It was my first time across the pond as Weerd Science and to have the opportunity to play in front of all those people was just phenomenal.

Dan: What’s the best thing about a Weerd Science live show?

Josh: I’d have to say the best part of the show is the energy. The WS show is still evolving and with every performance it gets better. I never had a chance to tour on my first record so I cherish every time I get to step on the stage. I think that excitement translates to the audience.

Dan: How did you meet MC Lars?

Josh: Me and MC Lars were mutual fans of each others’ records and my DJ and manager reached out to him about doing a song together. We got in the studio and did a joint called “Industry 187”. We got to talking and Lars was looking to expand his label Horris Records. So, we showed him Sick Kids and he said he wanted to help it reach people. The rest is history! I’m just fuckin’ around, but I did always want to say that!

Dan: How did you originally get into rap/hip-hop? Any particular albums that got you into the genre?

Josh: I loved hip-hop always. My first band was a rap group called Electric Touch. I was around a lot of different music as a young kid and I think that has something to do with my eclectic tastes. As far as the records that helped to shape my taste in hip hop there are two that stick out to me. Snoop’s first album “Doggystyle” was a real life altering album for me. Also, Wu-Tang Clan’s “Enter the 36 Chambers” was equally as powerful.

Dan: Out of all the tracks on Sick Kids, is there any one song that means the most to you?

Josh: Honestly all the songs are pieces of me. I mean that quite literally. Of course over time certain songs have become my favourites but to pick one would be impossible.

Dan: A few questions about Coheed; what was it that got you into drumming? And any drummers you consider your favourite of all time/a massive influence on yourself?

Josh: John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. He’s the reason I play drums. I could play from the first time I sat behind a kit. It lived in me and eventually I found out that I was supposed to be a drummer before learning the other instruments that I play. Drums are the foundation and I thank god I learned to play drums first.

Dan: I remember buying The Second Stage Turbine Blade and talking about it to people, expecting them to know Coheed because of how good the album was, just to find out that nobody knew. Then when In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 came out there seemed to be a massive increase in interest. Were you expecting things to take off as they did with Coheed and Cambria?

Josh: I can’t say we were expecting it. But things were really picking up for us and we could feel the energy at the shows really elevating. I remember Dan Sandshaw who was who signed us to Equal Vision saying, “I think we have a real shot at selling 10,000 copies the first week!” We actually sold 26,000 the first week and I think everyone was like ”okay, here we go!”

Dan: Leaving Coheed must have been tough; do you still keep in touch with any of the guys?

Josh: Tough isn’t the word. It was brutal but ultimately probably saved my life. Now that has nothing to do with those guys because all they ever did was be great friends to me, but I had to get some stuff figured out. I love those guys and although I’ve put it away I will never not feel some amount of guilt over the way I left the band and let those guys down. I can honestly say that I don’t think I would be where I am today as a person without going through the heart break of my situation with Coheed. We have spoke and met up and I continue to make efforts to be friends with them and those efforts have been well received. Which means the world to me.

Dan: How are things with Terrible Things? Anything in the pipeline?

Josh: Terrible Things is good. We are currently out on the Vans Warped Tour as well as Weerd Science (that’s right 2 shows a day), and still playing and building fans at every show. After Warped I know TT is heading to Australia and WS and MC Lars are heading to China possibly. A lot is happening and right now that’s a good thing!

Dan: Out of all the albums you’ve worked on, do you have a particular favourite?

Josh: I would say Sick Kids to me is the culmination of my life experiences, good and bad, being infused into my art. With all that’s happened to me this record is not only my favourite it’s the affirmation that I am going to be ok.

Dan: Who’s your favourite band or artist to listen to at the moment?

Josh: The Devil Wears Prada.

A few questions from Ian…

…

…

Ian: Lastly, what’s next for Weerd Science and what’s next for Josh Eppard?

Josh: Haha touring. And more records!

Weerd Science’s latest album - Sick Kids - is available now. Check out Josh’s site at www.weerdscience.net . Horris Records - MC Lars’ label that is the home of all things Lars and all things Weerd Science - is online at www.horrisrecords.com

dan@killyourown.co.uk

Want anything reviewed then email me

I need to write some more reviews over the next week. I need stuff to review

So far:

Save Your Breath - Vices

Major League - Variables EP

Sam Duckworth - The Mannequin

Kids In Glass Houses - In Gold Blood

The 2 new Lights singles

Any more ideas?

Yellowcard - When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes (Hopeless)

“When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes” is Yellowcard’s first album since reforming in 2010 (7th album overall) and it’s a cracker. From the opening riff of “The Sound Of You And Me” you can tell that this is a band who were fully focused on making this album all it can be, and they succeeded. It’s a bit early to say so but I think this may be my favourite album of the year. Personal highlights include “For You And Your Denial” and “With You Around” which form a nice 1-2 punch at tracks 2 and 3. http://www.yellowcardrock.com DK

The Wonder Years - Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing (Hopeless)

With The Upsides showing a massive amount of progress from Get Stoked On It, and with it being such a strong album, I think most people had unattainable high hopes for this album, which, in my opinion it nearly reaches. Suburbia is a solid pop punk album and carries on the trend of bands on Hopeless Records releasing great albums this year (see Yellowcard and hopefully The Dangerous Summer). This album is bound to lead to some passionate sing alongs in venues across the country on the band’s September tour with Valencia and Such Gold. The first two singles - “Came Out Swinging” and “Local Man Ruins Everything” - are arguably the two strongest tracks on the album and if you were looking for a song to show off what this band is all about then they’d be the ones to start with. http://www.thewonderyearsband.com DK

Weerd Science - Sick Kids (Horris)

When I first heard that the old drummer from Coheed & Cambria was releasing a second rap album, at first I was all “whoah, when did he release the first” and secondly “what?”. Josh Eppard, under the moniker of Weerd Science has put together, in Sick Kids, a lyrically impressive and engaging album. He recently toured with MC Lars and you could see the similarities in the styles throughout, although Weerd Science deals with darker subjects, such as his struggle with drug addiction, a struggle which he has won. “Clap If You <3 Someone” is a great upbeat track that everyone should listen to. http://www.horrisrecords.com DK

The Swellers - Good For Me (Fueled By Ramen)

It’s hard to understand why The Swellers aren’t bigger than they are but “Good For Me” might be the album to catapult them upwards if given decent (or any) exposure. “Good For Me” is a slower record than 09’s “Ups And Downsizing” and has a more stadium sound to some of the tracks, in a style not too dissimilar to that of the Foo Fighters. Only problem I have with the album is that it’s only 10 tracks long and clock in at 35 minutes. I want more. The tracks to check out are 3 “The Damage”, 4 “Parkview” and 5 “The Best I Ever Had” which flow well together and could all be massive. http://www.theswellers.com DK

City Light Thief - Laviin (Midsummer/Walnut Tree)

Germany’s City Light Thief have, in “Laviin”, a great début album with high quality musicianship from a band so young. With screaming/shouting vocals and intricate guitar work, Laviin is a post hardcore release in the design of The Fall Of Troy. Check out track 3 “Domino Sparrow” and 9 “Pioneers” for a taste of what this band is about. http://www.walnuttreerecords.co.uk DK

Ben Marwood - Outside There’s A Curse (Xtra Mile)

Whilst Ben Marwood is a talented lyricist and songwriter, I feel that this album is let down slightly by his voice, which, despite at times sounding like there’s potential for some decent singing, most of the time sounds poor. The only other music I’ve heard from Ben Marwood is his EP “This Is Not What You Had Planned” in which he alludes to the similarities between his sound and that of Sam Duckworth of Get Cape fame. This similarity is less evident here but not unnoticeable. I mentioned that the voice lets this album down a bit, but that shouldn’t stop you giving it a listen because not only does Ben Marwood write great songs, he covers great songs too, with the album’s closer being a cover of The Postal Service’s “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight”. http://www.benmarwood.com DK 

Day of Rising - Deceivers United (Young And Loyal/Walnut Tree)

Deceivers United is the début album from Spain’s Day of Rising and the first thing to strike me is that this band sounds massive. The three layers of vocals work well together and, with passionate hooks and toe-tappingly catchy beats, you should check them out if you’re a fan of pop rock in the vein of Kids In Glass Houses. Stand out tracks are track 3 “You Don’t Really Mean It”, 4 “American Professional” and 6 “How To Be Wrong” but after these the album drops off in quality a bit with the pace slowing before reaching the slightly disappointing acoustic track “195010”. http://www.dayofrising.com DK