The Epics
Phoenix, Arizona

1965-1967


 

The Epics were John Hesterman, bass, keyboards & vocals; Ron Brewer, guitar & vocals, Mark Wirtz, drums; Sheldon Skinkle, lead guitar & vocals; Tom Whalen, guitar & vocals and Dave Lucas, percussion & vocals. We were also known for brief periods of time as Johnny Junk & The Juvenile Jumpers, The Gaitors and The Britons, depending on who showed up for the gigs. We were lucky in that my uncle owned a recording studio (SEA Studios) and we were able to record there for free, and often did. We played for high school club parties, high school dances and later in local bars (even though we were very under age!). Members of this band went on to bigger and better things . . . John Hesterman was a member of The Grapes of Wrath and TRACE and Sheldon Skinkle (later known as Bunker Huddle) joined Thackeray Rocke and Sleepy Hollow. For both John & Sheldon, The Epics were the beginning of a serious and lengthy music career.

Get the history at:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Vine/6129/index.html

 

Personnel:
John Hesterman - Bass
Ron Brewer - Guitar
Mark Wirtz - Drums
Sheldon Skinkle - Guitar
Tom Whalen - Guitar
Dave Lucas - Percussion

Influences:
The Beatles, The Dave Clark Five, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Searchers

Setlist Sample:
Gloria, Help!, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away, Route 66, Satisfaction, Love Potion Number 9, Twist & Shout, Reelin' & Rockin', Glad All Over, Because

Equipment:
Vox Jaguar Organ/Vox Essex Bass Amp, Gretcsh Nashville Guitar / Fender Super Reverb Amp, Saturn Bass Guitar / Silvertone Twin-12 Amps, Ludwig drums, and the legendary Calrad Dynamic Microphones!

Rehearsal Space:
My garage and living room!

Band Vehicles:
1949 Dodge Pick Up / 1956 Ford Ranch Wagon / 1956 Ford Coupe

Fashion Statement:
Definately Mod - British Carnaby Street!

Best Gig:
Bourgade High School Battle of the Bands - We came in second!

Gig from Hell!:
The Rocket Lounge - We played garage rock and roll, they wanted country, that says it all!

Last Gig:
PPInc. Pool Party, June 1967

Comments:
I wouldn't trade The Epics experience for anything! We were young, raw and had one hell of a GREAT time! It was better than being a jock, and far less work! Instant popularity. Hey, we were in it for the girls, right? Oh yeah, there was also the music!

 

 

 

Where are they now?


John Hesterman is still active as a musician, currently fronting The Offbeats (http://www.theoffbeats.com), a San Diego based Classic Rock and British Invasion band. Sheldon Skinkle is a Phoenix based songwriter. The remaining members of The Epics are no longer active in music.

 

Information contributed by John Hesterman zacharyj@worldnet.att.net

 

 
Check Out The Bands
Your First Band
Links
Fan's Page
Home
 

 
All materials © copyright 1998 - 2003 Keith Buckley and Dan Angott.
All Rights Reserved

This site sponsored by The Unicom Group, L.L.C.
and featured at www.Directmart.com
Website design by Union Street Graphics