*This is part of the Epicenter Festival Spotlight segment where we help you get to know some of the non-headlining bands performing at the festival. This week we introduce you to Black Coffee!*
Black Coffee formed in early 2017 after drummer Tommy McCullough introduced singer/bassist, Ehab Omran, to guitarist Justin Young. Within the first few days, these artists began songwriting and the chemistry was overwhelmingly apparent. With the release of Black Coffee’s debut album, ‘Take One’, on April 21st, the Columbus, Ohio rockers definitely possess the sound, style, confidence and work ethic that created legends in music in the previous few decades. The bands style is slightly retro rock and with the recent success of bands like Greta Van Fleet, The Struts and Rival Sons they have timed the formation of the band perfectly. Black Coffee are a band that certainly appreciates a good riff and you will easily notice how they flaunt their guitarists talents within their music. Ehab Omran’s vocals pack immense power into such a small frame. He sings in a melodic manner but also at times can wail with an aggressive grit to his voice as well. The band unveiled a music video for “I Barely Know Her”. The song and accompanying video was the first taste of Black Coffee that we would receive and it sent music fans into a whirlwind. The video was filmed at the Johnstown Opera House in Johnstown, Ohio. “I Barely Know Her” was filmed, directed and produced by the extremely talented John Payne of Payne Productions, who is one of the most talented photographers in and around Columbus, Ohio. With the attitude of the years gone by and the sound of a new resurgence of the classic rock, Black Coffee parts the proverbial sea for the next generation of artists.
The band up until a month or so ago was a 3 piece with Tommy McCullough on drums, Ehab Omran pulling double duty on bass and vocals and the talented Justin Young shredding away on guitar. The band has now welcomed Nick Fratianne from the band Harmless Habit into the band as their permanent bass player allowing Ehab to focus on his vocal duties. Though the band is relatively new their talents has helped them book two festival performances this summer at likely the two biggest festivals on the east coast. The band performs at the Epicenter Festival on Friday May 10th. You can get your tickets for the festival here. They also perform at the Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio which takes place May 17th – 19th. You can get tickets for that festival here!
