Biography
Web: www.epictheband.com.au
Email: info@epictheband.com.au
EPIC, created to boldly go where other cover bands dare not, are now celebrating their twelfth year of aurally stimulating audiences along the Australian East Coast. EPIC was founded by the incredibly multitalented and visionary musician, the late Jesse Balfour (1967-2024). Jesse had one main aim for EPIC: To play the songs that other cover bands won’t.
EPIC features the incredible talents of James Palmer (Musical Director, Vocals & Drums), Stuart Kent (Vocals/Guitar), Dylan Curnow (Keyboards/Vocals), and Greg Strong (Vocals/Bass). Alan Park (Keyboards) returns for select shows when in Australia, and Gary Pinkerton (Keyboards) occasionally fills in when required.
Together, the EPIC lineup has performed alongside some fantastic artists, including Sir Cliff Richard, The Doobie Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Small Faces, The Shadows, 10cc, Beggars Opera, Mitch King, Phil Emmanuel, Daddy Cool, Skyhooks, Todd Robinson, Ian Moss, Peter Ryan, Brian Cadd, Dame Edna, Billy Connolly, and the list goes on.
When Jesse put EPIC together, he ensured the following:
All songs in the EPIC repertoire have been hits on a grand scale, and EPIC reproduces each song with accurate respect to the original, representing all critical parts with class and flair while still allowing the members’ personalities and musical influences to shine through. This is all delivered through state-of-the-art sound and lighting production at every venue.
EPIC is currently one of the highest-rotated bands at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay, one of the premier live music venues on the East Coast of Australia.
Prepare to embark on a journey back to the era when ROCK was truly EPIC!
"What a brilliant band...amazing songs, voices and musicians. Such a treat to see them at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay”- Donna
“Fantastic music, you guys are bloody cool. No one plays this repertoire” - Steve
“Saw you guys at the Shaws Bay Hotel. Impressed!” – Janelle
“Saw you guys on Saturday night; you guys are excellent! One Pink Floyd song at the end and you guys would be worshipped as GODS! YOU GUYS ARE VERY GOOD” – Allan
“Unreal” – Khange
“With the personnel in EPIC, it couldn’t be anything but...” – Brett
“You guys are the real deal. No one else is doing this repertoire” – Tracy
“I am definitely flying you guys over to play at my wedding in Portland. The best covers group I have heard in Australia or the US for that matter!” – Scott
“If ‘EPICAL’ was a word, that would be the ultimate way to describe my Sunday night at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay” – Tom
“Easy to tell you guys are seasoned professionals. Best gig I’ve been to in a long time” – Trish
EPIC Circa 2026
L to R: James Palmer, Stuart Kent, Greg Strong, Dylan Curnow
James Palmer
MUSICAL DIRECTOR, DRUMS & VOCALS
Originally from Lismore, NSW, and now residing in Brisbane, QLD, James has successfully shaped his career as a professional musician, music educator, and audio engineer. He has performed at numerous venues across Australia and with a variety of artists along the East Coast.
James has had the privilege of working with many nationally and internationally acclaimed artists throughout his continually developing professional tenure – both as a drummer/keyboardist and audio engineer. He has also contributed to multiple TV ads, gaming soundtracks, and other jingles. Alongside his full-time music teaching in Brisbane, he is the Musical Director for EPIC, as well as manager, drummer, vocalist, and production provider for pub rockers, Bulletproof. As EPIC’s Musical Director, James curates the repertoire & arrangements, runs rehearsals and ensures every show lands — backed by the band’s own high-end audio and lighting production.
Not only does Jimmy lower the average age of the band, he also delivers energetic live performances with strong vocal harmonies, drawing on his many influences, including Jeff Porcaro (TOTO, Steely Dan), Phil Rudd (AC/DC), and Steve Gadd (Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt). His multifaceted skills and dynamic presence make him an indispensable member, without whom, EPIC would not be possible.
Stuart Kent
Guitar & Vocals
‘Stuie,’ as North Coast audiences have known him for many years, was a prominent member of the North Coast rock group, The Henchmen. He was the “go-to rock guitar guy” for Top Cat Recording Studio and WindSong Records artists.
Stuie led and toured with his original band Mudskipper (with whom he won a Dolphin Award) and hard rockers The Rockadiles in the 90s. He also wrote and recorded advertising jingles and played in many bands as a ‘hired gun,’ including recording and touring with Australian Idol finalist Peter Ryan and 301 Records artists Elevait. Additionally, Stuart fronted the Country-Rock group, The Unforgiven, as vocalist and guitarist.
He brings his own style and sound to the EPIC stage with consummate professionalism, passion, and a dash of swagger. It is no small task to be both Freddie Mercury and Brian May in one song, then Steve Marriott, David Gilmour, or Larry Carlton the next, but Stu pulls it off onstage every time with a showman’s attitude, extracting many sounds from his well-loved Stratocaster, hair flying 70s guitar hero style.
Dylan Curnow
Keyboards & Vocals
Dylan joined EPIC in 2025 and brings a rare mix of musical depth, touring experience and the sort of calm professionalism that makes demanding repertoire feel easy.
Originally from Sydney and now based in Alstonville, NSW, Dylan has lived and worked across Australia and overseas, shaping a broad musical language that spans classical, jazz, soul, funk, blues, and pop. He’s toured internationally and spent eight years on the road with Lisa Hunt’s band Forever Soul (2010–2018). He’s also performed on Australian television, including keyboards on The Footy Show.
Offstage, Dylan is a long-time educator (25+ years) and co-owns Tipitina Music Studio in Alstonville.
In EPIC, Dylan’s job is simple: deliver every critical keyboard part with taste, power and precision — from piano authenticity, to Hammond grit, to layered synth textures and tight split work — and make it sound like the record. He also brings a sharp ear for arrangement and strong backing vocals. When the setlist gets ambitious, D-Man is the guy you want in the chair; consistent, prepared and rock-solid under pressure.