.jpg/:/cr=t:12.5%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:75%25/rs=w:1209,h:605,cg:true)
BREAKING THE SILENCE!
The creation of Empire started on a rainy night during the load-in of a local band during a rainstorm. Before the words Queensryche tribute were even out on the table, Scott Arena, Doug Bellicose and Johnny "Wildchild" Srsich were already booking time at a local studio--jamming "The Lady Wore Black," "Take Hold of the Flame," "Empire," and "Jet City Woman."
It was not too long before Mike Winter came on board as second guitarist. The search for the final, and most important piece of the band was quickly underway--a lead vocalist. After a few auditions, they found their front man, Josh King. The lineup was complete, and before they knew it, the band was playing their debut performance to a packed house at one of the biggest, and well-known, venues on Long Island.
Since then, Empire has played to hundreds of people at venues all over Long Island; and as their popularity grows, so does their fan base--who the guys refer to as "The Empire Family."
"We are blessed to have such great friends who have supported us since we started this project, and we dedicate our shows to them. We thank you and appreciate you for all you do."
Come on out and see Empire perform at a venue near you, and become a part of the classic Queensrÿche experience!
Empire LINEUP:
Josh King - Lead Vocals
Johnny Srsich - Guitar/Vocals
Mike Winter - Guitar/Vocals
Doug Bellicose - Drums
Scott Arena - Bass/Effects Engineer
EMPIRE: A TRIBUTE TO QUEENSRŸCHE
EMPIRE: A TRIBUTE TO QUEENSRŸCHE
EMPIRE: A TRIBUTE TO QUEENSRŸCHE
Empire: A tribute to Queensrÿche is a New York-based band paying tribute to the classic Queensrÿche we all grew up with. From the self-titled EP simply called "Queensrÿche," to their critically acclaimed effort, "Empire," Josh, Mike, Doug, John, and Scott are "the machine," dubbed by a first-time fan’s reaction to one of their first appearances-- epically re-creating these classics for you. From "Queen of the Rÿche," to "Anybody Listening," it's a nonstop set of the Queensrÿche we all know and love. Book Empire now at your venue--you won't be disappointed.
JOSH KING: LEAD VOCALS
EMPIRE: A TRIBUTE TO QUEENSRŸCHE
EMPIRE: A TRIBUTE TO QUEENSRŸCHE
Born on Long Island to a musical family, classically trained Josh began singing at age 3. Paying his dues by singing anywhere and everywhere he could, Josh found a modicum of success in the Progressive Metal scene with bands like Robert Katrihk's Overture, Until Destiny & Enemy Territory, where he spent very successful stints as both singer and co collaborator. Years later, a mutual friend reconnected Josh with Johnny Wildchild, and his position in leading the Empire was solidified!
MIKE WINTER: LEAD GUITAR/VOCALS
EMPIRE: A TRIBUTE TO QUEENSRŸCHE
MIKE WINTER: LEAD GUITAR/VOCALS
Mike is no stranger to the big stage. Hailing from the highly competitive New York Music Scene, for four decades, Mike has expertly honed his craft and left his mark with such former original bands including Broadway, Storm Warning, Terra and Winter N.Y.C. Mike’s dazzling technical prowess and musical sensibility has garnered him invitations to audition for such highly coveted and high-profile guitar vacancies as Guns N’ Roses and Enuff Znuff.
DOUG BELLICOSE: DRUMS
SCOTT ARENA: BASS/ EFFECTS ENGINEER
MIKE WINTER: LEAD GUITAR/VOCALS
Doug is the “Musical Director” of Empire. Lending his talents to a plethora of tribute acts over the years, such as Iron Priest (Iron Maiden/Judas Priest), Anesthesia (Metallica), War Pigs (Black Sabbath) and 100 Proof with our own Scott Arena, Doug’s methodic preparation, passion and impeccable time keeping have made him a highly respected, first call drummer on the Long Island Music Scene, and the perfect rock-solid drummer to anchor the Empire.
JOHNNY SRSICH: LEAD GUITAR/VOCALS
SCOTT ARENA: BASS/ EFFECTS ENGINEER
SCOTT ARENA: BASS/ EFFECTS ENGINEER
A proficiently shredding lead guitarist since the age of 16, Johnny Srsich is a well-known metal musician on Long Island and throughout the 5 boroughs of New York for the past 35 years. With an impressive lifetime resume of former and current bands, as a member in tribute bands such as Sacred Heart (Ronnie James Dio) and Exciter (Judas Priest) Johnny has also filled in upon request as a temp lead guitarist in bands such as Live After Death (Iron Maiden) and Anesthesia (Metallica).
SCOTT ARENA: BASS/ EFFECTS ENGINEER
SCOTT ARENA: BASS/ EFFECTS ENGINEER
SCOTT ARENA: BASS/ EFFECTS ENGINEER
Scott's precise and thunderous bass playing has been the anchor holding the rhythm section in some of Long Island's most prolific acts for decades. His bass lines were also part of the “We Are Stars Long Island 2020,” tribute to first responders, as recognized by Eddie Trunk, Blabbermouth.net, and National Radio. Some of Scott’s other bass credits include New World Men (Long Island’s Rush Tribute), and Hard Rock Cover Band 100 Proof with fellow Empire drummer, Doug Bellicose.