Hundreds of screaming fans descended upon the O2 arena in London on 16 November ready to support their favourite band. However, this wasn’t a JLS concert. This was the Kerrang! and Black XS Live Sound Battle of the Bands final where unsigned artists competed with each other to secure a £500,000 recording contract with Search and Destroy Records.
Reaper in Sicily are a band who have blasted onto the music scene, seemingly out of nowhere though they have been gigging around bars in South Wales for over a year. They were crowned the winners of the competition, beating over 700 other bands.
Rhys Bernardo, Matthew Jenkins, Mike Evans, Jonny Chappell and Thomas Williams admit that no-one was more 
shocked than they were when they discovered they had won. Lead singer Rhys said: “I remember we all grouped together with our arms around each other when they were about to make the announcement and I thought if I hear the R of Reaper I’ll go insane. As soon as everyone heard our name all our friends and family ran towards us.” The O2 arena then fell into utter chaos with people being pulled off the band by security guards, resulting in the guys being taken out through a fire exit in order to escape. The band all agreed that winning felt like a relief after the build up towards the night, with Rhys adding that when they realised they had won it was ‘the best feeling in the world’.
Formed in the small town of Aberdare right in the heart of the South Wales Valleys, Reaper have found themselves transformed into an overnight success. At the age of five Rhys and guitarist Jonny met while modelling for Littlewoods. “This is a true story,” Rhys insists. “I didn’t see him again until we were about 16 when we met at a gig. I didn’t know he played guitar but I’d just split up with my band and a mutual friend suggested we get together and play a few songs.” And, as they say, the rest is history. Although they have had numerous changes to the line up over the years the current group have been together since November 2008 and all agree that the dynamic within the band is right this time round.
The band talk about the inspiration behind the song This is bigger than you and discuss their plans for the future:
Members of Reaper have been playing instruments for several years. Guitarist Matthew Jenkins began playing the piano at the age of 10 and guitar at 14,while Thomas Williams has been playing the drums for three years. Bassist Mike Evans and Jonny have both been playing since they were 16 and Rhys started singing in bands at the age of 13.
The band decided to enter the competition after they saw an advert and discovered that a rival band had entered. Mike said: “We just thought if they can do it then so can we. We put our name forward, filled in some forms and submitted a song and several pictures. It then got reviewed and we eventually won.” They did however have some reservations about entering the competition. Jonny especially was against the idea: “I thought it was selling out and it was like being on the X Factor. I was worried we’d be turned into the next Chico and Jedward!” Rhys was quick to add however that after winning everyone agreed entering the competition had been the best option.
The band cite their musical influences as The Blackout, The Used, Billy Talent and even Justin Timberlake, emphasising their ability to draw on various genres in order to create their unique sound. Reaper write all their own songs and music which makes their win even more satisfying. Rhys said: “We write the music then “Reaper” it up. We then add vocals over the chorus and then base the song around that. It can take anything from a day to a few months to create a song we’re all happy with.”
Reaper in Sicily have been gigging together since November 2008
When asked if their opinion of talent shows such as X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent has changed since being discovered via a nationwide talent show, Rhys said: “Well to be honest, I’m still not a lover of it, but I think labels and record producers look at contests as a way of reaching the best talent as the competition is always guaranteed to be high. No matter what they’re always going to find someone they deem good enough and this way the talent comes to them.”
However the band did have conflicting thoughts on who should win X Factor this year with Rhys backing Ollie Mears and Mike and Jonny both supporting Stacey Solomon.
Although they’ve won a recording contract the band admit that not much has changed for them, although Jonny added, “we are definitely more respected as a band”. The biggest change for the group will come with the release of their first single We are the Show on 1 February 2010 which coincides with the band touring as a support act.
billy Said:
on December 23, 2009 at 10:09 am
What a band. They are the show .Drop in and see them. Great bunch of lads.