Today we’d like to introduce you to Modern B.C.
Hi Modern B.C., can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Modern B.C. began as the brain child of guitarist Zak Banks and Emcee Atum Hunter. We wanted to create a project that focused directly on being as genuine as possible in sound and conviction. Something new, with the energy of the past. In a world flooded by gimmicks and AI, we wanted to create art that really connects people together. We harken back to the vibe of the 80’s and 90’s a lot and how genuine the energy surrounding Hip-Hop and Nu-Metal was at the time. The name – “Modern B.C.” – directly represents a need to remember who we truly are in order to grow into what we’re meant to become. This project at its core is about positivity, strength, family, community, and power. We all have had our collective fill of music that promotes negativity. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, if you have love in your heart, fire in your blood, and a fist to raise, you are welcome here. In that spirit we began piecing together members that shared our same passion.
Today the band consists of:
Atum Hunter – Vocals
Zak Banks – Guitar
Matt Lawson – Guitar
Isaiah Bissey – Bass
Dwight Dixon – Drums
DJ Psychopat – DJ
Phill Real – Production
Our first six song EP entitled “The Deep End” was tracked with Kyle Koelsch of Ded at Trash Island Studios here in AZ. Currently we are beginning to be able to produce all of our new tracks in-house within the band, and that’s been really exciting. You may have noticed the unusual listing of a producer as a band member. Phill has a long history of Hip-Hop production, and while he originally was going to play bass, we discovered his role as MBC’s producer fit much better. Our bass player Isaiah is young prodigy anyhow lol. Speaking of that, MBC’s members currently span 4 generations. We try to do the best we can to incorporate all of that influence into our specific brand of Hip-Hop and Nu-Metal.
From there our friends in Sun Order heard our tracks, and put us on their EP release at the Rebel Lounge – Giving us an awesome outlet to kick off the project. Since then, we’ve played multiple venues around Phoenix, Headlined South West Music Festival, have helped raise thousands for charity events that help local families, and are regular headliners at Phoenix’s First Friday event at the Bud’s Glass Joint stage.
We welcome anyone who this message resonates with to joint the movement. You can find us as @modernbcmusic on most social media platforms and our EP “The Deep End” is available on all streaming sites.
To quote our song “Sun Tzu”:
“If you’re really ‘bout it then get your fists up!”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Given the energy we’re trying to bring into world during the state in which it’s currently existing in, it feels like we’ve faced unprecedented struggle after struggle, to be honest. Modern B.C. has been public for about a year now, but we’ve been working on it for around 3-4 years in total now. It was extremely important for us to have everything ready to go before we stepped into the limelight. We also are a 100% independent LLC. We own all of our copyrights, trademarks, royalties, masters, record label, production, song writing, the whole works. While we believe this is the way things SHOULD be, it takes SO MUCH work and research to do on your own. The extra work load, on top of the personal and financial struggles that any working class musician can vouch for, creates an extremely difficult and stressful environment with which to try to create a project that is meant to help people. However we’ve always found a way to dig deep and persevere. We believe in this project. We knew there would be opposition to this positive energy coming into being. We’re ready for it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The purpose behind this project, as we’ve mentioned, was to harken to the past in order to empower our current reality into genuine energy for the creation of a positive future. We’ve mentioned we have 4 generations of artists in our group. In that spirit, we try to bring genuine inspiration in pure form. Our emcee Atum is a lyricist and story teller through and through; Zak and Matt have decades of stage and songwriting experience and business management between the two of them; Dwight is a tour tried and true workhorse of a drummer; DJ Psychopat is a legend in the DJ community; Isaiah is a young bass prodigy in the making; and Phill has produced songs with your favorite Hip-Hop artists. Each member brings experience that is specialized and genuine in its department. We bring real Boom Bap Hip-Hop, live DJ breaks, Funk Bass, and slamming guitar and drums all together to bring you something you’ve never heard before, but sounds incredibly familiar.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost we have to thank the guys in Ded – Kyle Koelsch, Alex Adamcik; Joe Cotella; Matt Reinhard – and Sun Order – Dan Marinaro; Nino Lucarelli; Matt Torres; Andy Pettit. Those guys took us under their wing and 100% believed in our movement from the moment they heard it. Our songs and shows may have never existed without them.
Nutter Tut! The one and only! For making us a permanent fixture for Phoenix’s First Friday, and Bud for having us on his stage at Bud’s Glass Joint.
Kenny Barton, Kenny Johnson and Tommy, for adding to this project.
Vince Bissey for trusting us with Isaiah.
Dan Nieto for holding down merch.
Jacob Reynolds for being the man with a camera in one hand and a gigantic heart in the other.
Justus Olbert for tapping in with us on the Hip Hop side with Respect The Underground and South West Music Fest.
Lev Lewis and Dark Star Theater for hosting its first rock show.
Jim Louvau for being the homie and shooting a brand new band in a professional studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/modernbcmusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernbcmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernbcmusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@modernbcmusic
- Other: spotify:artist:2xiHwLRE1iLVNkZDSH2u0g
Image Credits
Jim Louvau & Jacob Reynolds
