EPICUREAN
Drummer John Gensmer

Interview by Ken Kopija Jr.

From the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, six musicians from very diverse musical backgrounds formed Epicurean in early 2004. The band quickly grabbed the attention of the local Minneapolis scene with their unique intense and melodic sound as well as their tight and energetic stage performance. The group then began distributing thousands of copies of their self-recorded 3-song demo throughout the upper Midwest, which marked the beginning of the relentless touring schedule for which the band is known.

Over the next two years, Epicurean was able to hone and shape their musical vision into a sound that combines Euro-metal with a deeply progressive nature, all the while maintaining a very accessible mentality. It is that symphonic, yet aggressive sound that began to garner them attention throughout the underground metal scene.

In mid 2005, Epicurean, with producer Ari, entered “Inner Light” studios to record their debut album, “A Consequence of Design”. When the recording was completed, Epicurean was back on the road where they caught the attention of famed producer, Don Debiase who later passed the band on to Manager Neil Sheehan (HM Management) who they soon signed on with. Sheehan immediately took to shopping the band to labels, at which point, they caught the attention of Metal Blade records, and officially joined the Metal Blade family in March of 2007.

After their performance at the 2007 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, the band re-entered the studio with Don Debiase to remix/re-master A Consequence of Design as well as record 2 new songs to be added to the Metal Blade release out March 4th, 2008. After the release of their Metal Blade debut, A Consequence of Design, Epicurean will be resuming their hectic touring schedule, so look for the band in a town near you!

Since "A Consequence Of Design" is your first CD, a lot of people might not be familiar with Epicurean. Please give us a short history of the band.

I'll give the shortest answer possible on this one... A Consequence of Design is our first release as this form of Epicurean. I started the band years ago and we did a CD, broke up and then decided to reform and start over I guess. This lineup is THE lineup and we've been together as such since 2005 when we got Eli on Bass. He's the man!

According to Epicurean's website, the album "A Consequence Of Design" was supposed to be released late August 2006. Was it held back due to lack of a label at the time?

Actually, the album was self released in August 2006. We ended up playing the Indy Metalfest and met our management there. They shopped us and Metal blade picked us up in March 2007.

It has been almost a year since Epicurean was signed to Metal Blade. Were the original songs from "Consequence" re-recorded or remixed at any point in time?

Yeah they wanted to re-release the CD but re-mix and re-master it & add 2 tracks to it. And then also change the artwork. That way, there's a reason for the people who bought the original version to re-purchase it.

What are your expectations for the album?

Well, as any band does, we want it to be the tool to conquering the world! LOL! Really though, we hope it catches multiple audiences. I think we have a little bit of everything in there for everyone. I just hope it catches on so we can get some good tours out of it and some endorsements.

Being a fan of the drums, I'm just a little taken back. I gotta say that the drum work on this album is unbelievable!

Thank you so much man, that means a lot to me to hear that. I've been playing a long time and I try to be tasteful and also do some cool & fun shit. It's nice to be appreciated. Our lead guitarist & keyboardist usually get the musical attention. And rightfully so!!! So then I shouldn't point out the mistakes that I wasn't allowed to correct? LOL!!!

Who are some drummers you admire?

I was waiting for that one! I really admire Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). A huge metal influence for me is Nick Barker. His work with Dimmu Borgir is outstanding and set the bar really high for speed AND creativity. I also admire Paul Bostaph. (former Slayer/Testament) Dave Lombardo. I also listen to Dredg. Dino Campanella is unbelievable!!!

How do you feel being from Minneapolis has affected the bands progress over the past 3 or 4 years or so?

LOLl!!! It's hard to say. Touring has been rough cause it takes a long time to get anywhere. But then again it might have been helpful in that situation because we were not from a huge scene like LA or Boston. So there's not much... "competition" for lack of a better term. There's no staple band or sound. Like in Boston, there's not 500 Kill Switch wanna be bands and 10 of them can pull it off well. It's a lot of good bands, doing what they do, and then the 2 of them who have the balls to get out there and try to make a name for themselves. Us & With Dead Hands Rising. :)

I have heard Epicurean mentioned in the same sentence as Children Of Bodom and Soilwork. Is that a compliment?

I'll take it! I think it's the technical aspect of keyboards and guitars that get's us the COB reference. Those are bands we'd love to tour with some day. Our influences come from the older In Flames, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Mors Principium Est, Dimmu Borgir... Those familiar with those bands can hear those elements in our music. So it's not uncommon to hear those names said with ours.

Who are some current or past artists that you admire? What do you listen to?

Well for past artists, I'd have to say Led Zeppelin is the number one band I admire. They haven't written a studio album in my life time. Yet I'm still a fan. Their music is timeless. Kids are still buying their albums and t-shirts. They have their own XM station! How cool is that? No band on earth has that claim. I listen to Dredg, Keane and Three all the time. I love those bands. They're all so unique and they're out there doing what they do and catching many ears' attention. It's refreshing and cool. I hope to do that for metal. :)

What was the first concert you attended as a fan?

July 1995. Megadeth. Trout Air, Forest lake, MN. The Reckoning Day tour. I saw Fear Factory for the first time there and they blew my mind!

John, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us here at HardRockandMetal.com. We look forward to seeing you in a couple of week at Mojoes Rock House in Tinley Park.

Thank you!

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