SEEKING
Lead Guitar, Drums, Background Singer.ABOUT
Bless and Defy began in 2009 as project in Ethan's Bedroom. He began writing songs that he felt he could be a fan of, songs that were guitar driven and filled with strong Hard Rock and Metal influences. In 2011, he worked with friends at McMinnville High School and formed the first line up under the name, Martyr's Cup. Consisting of friends, Ethan Simpson, Matt Weant, Aidan Reidel and Kaden Owens. The band members decided that the name wasn't adequate and as a joke put the word, Moose, into a band name generator just for fun, and from that chose the name Moose Hemorrhage. They then entered in McMinnville High School's Battle of the Band and performed an early arrangement of the song, Shadows. The high school decided that the band name was inappropriate, so the band chose to perform without a name. Following that show, they decided to make a lineup change and invited Kelsey Bleck to join the band, and together decided on a new name Bless and Defy. The remainder of 2012 saw the band part ways with Aidan, who was replaced with Ethan's Brother, Lukas on Bass Guitar; and with Matt, who was replaced by Jacob Baltzell on Electric Guitar and Backing Vocals. In early 2013, the band commenced the recording of a short EP of the songs Ethan had written and worked with Keith Sommers and Clackamas Community College. The band would go on to play gigs through out the Willamette Valley under Ethan's management, including winning McMinnville High School's Battle of the Band.
In August 2013, following a series of shows, Kelsey Bleck had graduated from High School and left the band to attend college. The band has temporarily disbanded, but shall not be for long. Ethan took his songs and began rearranging and writing them to more clearly fit his original vision. He wanted songs that were heavy, thrashy and melodic; songs with strong intro riffs, and pounding drums, verses that were chaotic and thrashy but still with a well-defined groove; that settled into a strong, catchy melodic chorus; soaring, ripping guitar solos that are a blend of melody and shred; songs that drive the mosh pit to a fiery and explosive fury, and yet draw the crowd to sing and scream along.
Lyrically, the songs focus on overcoming the hardships of life and stand for what you believe, focusing on the personal strife and the power of unity, while trying to say it in a way that is tangible and relateable. A new EP is currently in the work.
- Screen name:
- Blessanddefy
- Member since:
- May 12 2015
- Active over 1 month ago
- Level of commitment:
- Very Committed
- Years together:
- 3
- Gigs played:
- 10 to 50
- Tend to practice:
- 1 time per week
- Age:
- 30 years
Influences
As I Lay Dying
All That Remains
Alter Bridge
Tremonti
Bullet For My Valentine
Killswitch Engage
Like A Storm
Three Days Grace
Halestorm
Amon Amarth
Arch Enemy
Children of Bodom
Machine Head
Gojira
Kutless
Demon Hunter
Disciple
Testament
Exodus
Slayer
Metallica
Iron Maiden
Judas Priest
Black Sabbath
Shinedown
Slash
Thirty Seconds to Mars
Five Finger Death Punch
Avenged Sevenfold
Slipknot
Lamb of God
Members Of Band
Ethan Simpson-Lead Vocals and Guitar
Eric Myers-Bass and Backing Vocals
