Sunday, June 27, 1999 | 4:34 a.m.
First published June 9, 1999.
Local Las Vegas favorite, Epstein's Mother, has been placed into many different music classifications by its fans.
"I play an acoustic guitar, and some people have called us folk," says lead singer Shawn Eiferman.
"We'd rather be called a rock and roll band," asserts bass player Geoff Neuman.
Mothers of Invention
And rock and roll is the perfect description for this four-piece band that named itself after a running gag on the '70s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. On the show, Sweathog Juan Epstein would try to get out of work by bringing in notes signed "Epstein's Mother." The band first played together at 1998's EAT'M Festival.
"Our influences are so varied, and the term rock and roll is so broad nowadays," says Newman. Listen to the 30-plus songs in the band's catalogue--and you can check them out at venues all over town--and you won't have any doubt that these guys can rock.
The songs that make up the band's live set list are not created in any one way. Eiferman explains the way the group's songs come to fruition.
"To me there is no formula. I will be driving, and I will think of a lyric. Chris will be playing something at a rehearsal, and I will say, 'Let's feed off that for something new,' or I will see something on the news, and I will write on that subject matter."
Neuman adds, "We never feel like we have to write a song. We always say that we want to write something that is a little more energetic, or we want to write another ballad. We talk about it, but we don't say that this is going to be our next ballad. So far everything comes naturally."
The spontaneity is clear; the band's songwriting is always exciting and fresh. All four band members get together once a week to work on its songs.
"Every one of us has spent years getting to this point. Before we met up we were competent enough to not have to rehearse 30 hours a week," says Eiferman.
After a band rehearsal, each band member will go home and work on his part. All of the members of Epstein's Mother bring to the group lots of musical experience that is translated into their songs.
Catch These Mothers Live
But experience doesn't guarantee a large turnout for live shows.
"I don't think there is a scene here as far as crowds wanting to come out and see local bands as much as there are local bands to be seen."
Epstein's mother, however, does get seen.
"We command the attention of the audience because we play with the audience and for the audience. We feed off the audience visually," says Neuman.
This fact is evident in the way the band responds to its fans both on and off the stage. Each band member is very approachable and always willing to discuss the group's music.
In addition, the members of Epstein's Mother look forward to touring and adding more fans to its already significant following.
"As soon as the record is done and we have something we can actually support, we will go out and do more," explains Neuman.
Judging from past experience, Epstein's Mother has nothing to worry about; fans respond well to all tunes by the band.
"We have a lot of really good songs that get people going," says Neuman. Songs such as "Motivation" and "Living In My Memory" are filled with rock and roll energy and feeling and can be heard on the band's CD, Hurry Up and Wait. The title refers to all of the problems the band had in completing the CD. They were in a rush to complete the album, and the band's guitar player at that time broke his hand on the morning of the CD release party. The hurrying and waiting paid off, however. Songs from the CD can be heard on KOMP's Home Grown Hour.
Signed, Epstein's Mother
The success that the band has already achieved is likely to continue, and Epstein's Mother intends to be around for the long haul.
"Longevity is one thing all four of us are totally focused on," says Eiferman. "None of us are going anywhere. We're not looking to start doing heroin or to drink ourselves into oblivion or to start hating one another when we are on the road. We all get along. We are all focused on the exact same thing and will be around for 25 or 30 years as a band."
"We are just average guys who like to play music together," says Neuman, "and we think we have a good product to provide to people who enjoy the kind of music we play. We are not going to give up. We are just gonna keep working hard."
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