Warpharin

• Rock-Pop

Status: Active
Site: http://www.warpharin.net

Members:

John Farmer: Guitar, Vox
Dan Thies: Bass, Vox
Keith Shank: Guitar, Vox
Ryan Simpson: Drums, Vox
Ken Pilkington: Synth, Vox
Lori Brooks: Vox

Warpharin is a 5-piece rock band with an eclectic mix of originals and covers. Warpharin was started in 1999 as John Farmer's personal music project. Named by flipping and pointing to a word in the dictionary, Warpharin's lineup includes John Farmer (Guitar, Vocals), Keith Shank (Guitar, Vocals), Dan Thies (Bass), Ryan Simpson (Drums, Vocals), and Ken Pilkington (Keyboards, Vocals). We've all been playing together for about 10 years, with the exception of our recent addition Lori Brooks (Backup Vocals).

For Booking please call:
309-472-8095
John
309-648-0432
Lori

Some Artists We Cover:

The Rolling Stones

Radiohead

The Beatles

Talking Heads

Jimi Hendrix

Weezer

Pink Floyd

Johnny Cash

Nada Surf

Bob Dylan

Smashing Pumpkins

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Warpharin has a widespread fan base of 9,500 plus members on myspace.com with over 36,000 song plays. They have been featured locally on 96.5 FM and 105.7 FM. Warpharin is capable of playing any venue large or small, with sets ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours. They can provide all their own equipment, including a PA if necessary.

How did you all get together to form the band?

Most of us have known each other since childhood. The rest of us gravitated towards each other in high school through our love of music. Although we have all taken part in various ventures in musicianship, our friendships and love of similar music has kept us together. The name Warpharin originated from a personal project started by John, sprung from a desire to create the original music that was considered by some to be a dying art. The positive response generated from this project encouraged the group to adopt the name.

What separates your band from all the other bands out there?

Our music speaks volumes, and luckily it is written in a language that everyone can understand. While dabbling in the experimental sounds of indie rock, our music is still reminiscent of the days when music ruled the industry and not vice versa. With Peoria having a penchant towards the metal scene, Warpharin provides the breath of fresh air that a lot of fans look for. Our eclectic influences have given us the ability to play to larger audiences that have the need for a little edginess while staying faithful to the roots of blues and rock and roll. Creativity is king in the Warpharin experience, with a set list of originals varying from high-energy, guitar-driven rockers to soulful, haunting ballads that leave the listener curious and wanting more. And of course we make sure we eat our vegetables.

How are people currently reacting to your music?

We are fortunate enough to be able to say that we haven’t had any of the expected negative feedback that is sometimes associated with local bands. The word on the street is that Warpharin isn’t like anything anyone has heard before, and there has been a recent surge in fans due to more frequent shows in the past year and a bigger presence on the internet.

What are your goals as a band?

Our goals as individuals may differ greatly, but as a group all we can really hope for is to be able to keep writing, keep playing, and keep remembering why we got into this business in the first place. Financial and critical success could be perks that go along with sharing our passion with the masses, but our love for the craft has its own rewards. As long as there are ears ready to listen, our goal is to keep playing.

What are your musical influences?

Well, we have to give credit where credit is due and mention the staples like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Stones, and Hendrix. And lest we forget, I think a lot of us can say that we wouldn’t be where we are now if it wasn’t for the musings and ruminations of our fathers. However, in more recent years our sound has certainly been shaped by newer groups such as Radiohead, The Talking Heads, and Modest Mouse.

Your favorite places to play?

Currently, we like to play wherever the people are. On a normal basis, the venue isn’t nearly as much an issue as the number of people we can charm into gracing it with their presence. Our music is only as good as the people who hear it…well, almost. We have had great turnouts and excellent responses at Peoria Pizza Works in Peoria Heights, which automatically puts it in the running as a favorite gig, however the summer festival circuit is about to open new doors and we don’t want to be too quick to defer judgment.

How do you promote your music, and is it working?

Luckily, most of us have had the awesome opportunity to play with many musicians in the area, and mutual respect reflected through word of mouth can be enough to pave the way for new listeners. We also feel that the internet and local radio play have helped us take a big step to spread the word about the phenomenon that is Warpharin.

What are you looking forward to most right now as a band?

Currently we are focusing on getting more shows and doing more writing. Our bass player, Dan Thies, is in the process of building a professional-grade studio at his home which we are excited to use as a resource for other bands and as a means for us to release more albums.

Feel free to do any shameless self promotion or mention anything we forgot to ask you.

More information pertaining to Warpharin and its members can be obtained at Warpharin's Myspace , including show dates and times. For booking information, photography by Lori Brooks, and merchandise information, please visit Warpharin.net . Don’t be afraid to get Addicted!!!

posted by jfarmer1978 on December 31, 2007 - 1:15pm.