Ohio University students Callie Kitchen and Emma Prazer created the band Mr. Evil, which both said was inspired by their friendship and video games.
Kitchen, a junior studying communication, and Prazer, a junior studying general studies, are both guitarists and met freshman year. The two posted flyers in Morton Hall and Baker University Center last year, seeking members for their band.
Kitchen, whom the group describes as its “booking manager,” helped form the band with Prazer by recruiting members to complete their vision.
Izzy Rempe, a freshman studying music production and recording, is the band’s bassist and responded to one of the flyers expressing interest in joining.
The group later welcomed Avery Arnold, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability, after meeting her at a party. Defne Oz, a junior studying marketing, joined the band this year.
Arnold and Oz completed the lineup, filling the drummer and vocalist roles.
The band’s name stems from the popular video game, Fortnite. Kitchen’s longtime username on the game was “MrEvil09,” which the group agreed would make a fitting band name.
“I was like, ‘That would really be funny as a band name,’” Kitchen said. “Then we made an account and … we kind of have a band now.”
The all-female group said the local music scene was welcoming and willing to provide Mr.Evil with opportunities and feedback.
“There is a charm that comes from all of us, we’re a girl band, which you don’t really see,” Oz said. “It is usually very male-heavy.”
Oz said she knows of the other Athens all-fem band, Blush, but is unaware of others.
For Mr.Evil, a sense of girlhood and friendship is evident in performances and practices. Kitchen said the band’s connection is what makes everything work.
“We all like different music and we do have a lot of different aesthetics,” Kitchen said. “But honestly, everyone is so connected and I feel so deeply fulfilled by me and my girls.”
The band’s second original song, “Right Where He Wants to Be,” is becoming a fan favorite. Arnold said it was rewarding to see the audience and even the sound technician enjoying the upbeat track at a previous show at The Union.
“That was the best feeling ever, just like having someone really enjoy something that you’ve created with all your friends,” Arnold said.
Kitchen and Arnold started playing their instruments in high school. Arnold, who previously performed in a high school band, said she hoped to find a new group when she arrived at college.
“It was really sad when I didn’t have anyone to play with in college, and I was so lucky when Mr. Evil found me,” Arnold said.
Rempe said she started playing bass when she was around seven years old.
“I don’t think I was ever really that serious until I was maybe like 14,” Rempe said.
The band said its members bring a wide range of musical tastes and aesthetics to the group, which helps shape its sound. Arnold said those differences strengthen the collaboration.
“It’s good to be able to have that many different perspectives so that we can have a collaboration that I feel like caters to a lot of people,” Arnold said.
By adding their varying styles and influences, Mr. Evil members can share ideas freely and incorporate different viewpoints into their music, appealing to all kinds of audiences.
Arnold said it is a dealbreaker if the band does not see the crowd enjoying themselves at a show, as that is most important.
“We want people to vibe to this and dance to this,” Arnold said. “We don't want to watch the crowd stare back at us.”
Mr. Evil plans to perform during fest season off of OU’s campus in a few weeks.
