Fictus: The Essex Alternative Rock Band Breathing New Life into Classic Tunes
Alternative rockers Fictus are rapidly building a reputation for taking well-known songs and injecting them with their own distinctive, high-energy style. From Abba and Elton John to Ricky Martin, the band has put its unique stamp on a variety of hits, a formula that has resonated powerfully with live audiences and online listeners alike.
Formation and Musical Fusion
The band was founded in 2023 by guitarist Tom Greaves, originally from Southminster, Essex. He is joined by Sophie Clifton on vocals, Emma Siegfried on vocals and rhythm guitar, Craig Keeling on bass and vocals, and Max Long on drums. Each member brings extensive experience in rock music, and the blend of their diverse styles and backgrounds has resulted in a fresh, punchy sound.
"We aim to create music that gets people on their feet," Tom explained. "It's about showcasing our energy and producing tracks that listeners want to play on repeat."
Overcoming Challenges and Building a Cohesive Unit
Since its inception, Fictus has experienced several line-up changes. Tom acknowledged this period of adjustment, stating: "We faced some turmoil finding a team with both the free time and shared vision. However, the current five of us are a tight-knit group who are truly passionate about our music."
A Packed Tour Schedule and Fan Favorites
The band has a non-stop roster of gigs planned for the year, eager to bring their reinterpretations of classic songs to stages across Essex and beyond. Confirmed dates include performances in London, Leighton Buzzard, and Norwich.
A highlight is their upcoming show at Madison Heights in Maldon, Essex, on September 25, which they promise will be "an epic night," featuring support from the emerging band Substrate.
"We've taken numerous songs and given them the Fictus treatment," said Tom. "We're continually adding to our setlist. Recently, we included Elton John's 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting.' Crowd favorites often include Abba's 'Gimme Gimme Gimme,' Ricky Martin's 'Livin' la Vida Loca,' Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain,' Britney Spears' 'Toxic,' and our cover of Lily Allen's 'Not Fair,' which has surpassed 150,000 views on YouTube."
Ambitious Future Goals
Fictus is now focused on capitalizing on their current success. "In the Dengie area, we have a fantastic, supportive fanbase," Tom noted. "But we also draw great crowds wherever we play. By year's end, we aim to move into larger venues, enabling bigger, more entertaining shows for our fans—that's our ultimate goal."
The band also has digital growth in its sights. "We hope to grow our social media presence. Our YouTube channel currently has 15,000 subscribers; doubling that would be amazing. We also plan to release our music on major streaming platforms like Spotify and iTunes," Tom added.
Potential for Original Music
While known for covers, Fictus hasn't ruled out creating original material. "We haven't deeply explored original music yet, but it's a future possibility," Tom revealed. "If we write something that fits the Fictus sound, we'll definitely consider it."
