Rhythmm Epkins known to his fans as DR. FUNK is the lead vocalist and responsible for bringing Mind Body & Soul, the funky, soulful band together in 2012, yet the road was long, paved with success and growing pains every band experiences. DR. FUNK believes it is all about making personal connections and finding a place where you belong when it comes to making music and performing on stage together as a band. “Music is a light that can shine anywhere,” DR. FUNK explains. “I don’t care where you are, you could be in the trenches, on the front line of war and at night when the bullets start flying, what do people do? They listen to music to give them a little hope.” Growing up in Queens, NY to a musically-inclined family, DR. FUNK learned how to play piano, drums, bass, the cello among other instruments which provided self-encouragement in order to appreciate and fall in love with music. DR. FUNK was on his way for stardom. Between playing gigs in NY and the East Coast at large, touring the last leg of the Chitlin’ Circuit down South during the later 70s, DR. FUNK had the chance to perform in several bands allowing him the grace for understanding the music industry and the life of a touring performer. More recently DR. FUNK played with The English Beat where DR. Funk had the chance to tour the world. DR. FUNK performed weekends with The English Beat and mid-week gigs with Mind Body & Soul. In 2015, DR. FUNK finished his contract with The English Beat and fully focus on the band, auditioning musicians for the right fit. It only took four months before Mind Body & Soul signed their first label deal and eventually signing to Indie Label Bentley Records with a contract for distribution and promotion. DR. Funk and his brother Power Morcillo (who plays guitar in the band) worked together to find the best musicians to join Mind Body & Soul. It didn’t happen overnight however the brothers are pleased with the members of Mind Body & Soul. Ray Zepeda (Saxophone) came in first in 2012 with musical success in his past; he was easily able to introduce the brothers to Ricky Lucchese (Trombone) and Brent Williams (Trumpet) into the crew. Later on, Farid Zariff (Percussion), Cesareo Garasa and Lamar Brooks (switching up on drums) and more recently Eric Barefield (Keyboards) joined Mind Body & Soul to complete the band. DR. FUNK shares that he is “so happy with the guys now.”
