This year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix didn’t limit its roaring entertainment to the Yas Island track – as hard rock trio Kicksound belted out an anthemic set on the Corniche.
The Dubai-based band – comprising Olly Ephgrave (lead vocals, guitar), Will Skidmore (backing vocals, bass) and Branislav Trkulja (drums) – supported How We Do singer Rita Ora during last Saturday’s beachside show, attended by thousands of music fans.
It’s been a busy few weeks for the British-Serbian group, as they released their self-titled debut EP the previous weekend at Satwa’s Chelsea Plaza Hotel.
City Times dons its most Pulitzer-worthy trilby to speak with frontman Olly, as he reveals Kicksound’s bird of choice and his shocking Rick Astley connections.
What are your ambitions as a band?
To play lots of rocking gigs both here and abroad. In the UAE, our ambition is to open for international acts when they come to the country and we’re hoping to tour extensively in 2015, with our sights on India and the UK. We just want to have fun and play to as many people as possible, wherever and whenever we can.
If you had to kick one sound, what would it be?
The sound of my alarm in the morning. It’s never nice to wake up to a shrill cacophony that cuts through your bones, but unfortunately it’s a necessary evil.
If the band had to choose a bird (wild or domestic) as its mascot, what would that bird be?
A bald eagle, so I won’t be the only one with a ‘streamlined’ head.
If the group had to perform a synchronised dance for YouTube, which one-hit wonder would you choose as your backing music?
This is a bit of a tenuous claim to fame, but Rick Astley is a family friend, so I’d choose Never Gonna Give You Up. Technically he’s not a one-hit wonder, but everyone knows him for that song. Perhaps surprisingly, Rick is a big rock fan and his favourite singer is Bon Scott from AC/DC (or so he told me).
Will rock and roll ever die?
Not in our lifetime, I’m certain of it! People will still be playing electric guitars in 50 years’ time, and they’re more likely to be listening to The Beatles than Justin Bieber.
If you had to kill one musical genre, what would it be?
It would have to be a fusion genre like operatic pop. It’s opera without the soul and pop without the fun, so let’s banish it to Room 101.
If you could go back in time, which era would you visit?
As I grew up in the town next to Hampton Court Palace, the home of Henry VIII, I’d have to say Tudor England. I’d attend a royal banquet and play Sweet Child o’ Mine on a lute. But I’d keep the time machine running, in case the big ginger guy didn’t like it!
KICKSOUND: THE EP
Recorded in SoundStruck Studios Dubai and produced by Elvis Garagic, the EP will be available to buy at all Kicksound live shows and can be streamed via www.kicksoundband.com. Here’s what to expect, according to Olly…
1. By Now – “A melodic but meaty track which will be our first single.”
2. Brain Dead – “A punk-influenced song which is the most up tempo and in-your-face track.”
3. Find A Way – “A radio-friendly half ballad with multiple layers, including acoustic guitars.”
4. Holy Prize – “A dark, twisted love song with heavy riffing and a dramatic crescendo.”
By Adam Zacharias
