It’s only rock ‘n’ roll, but members of Epic Fail like it . . . a lot.

What began in the halls of Scecina High School, when each of the members played in the school’s student rock band called Arisan Maru, has evolved into a combo gaining local notoriety playing festivals, clubs and winning the Battle of the Bands in Hendricks County last month.

“All of the proceeds went to Sheltering Wings (a domestic violence shelter),” said Andrew Day, 19, one of Epic Fail’s guitarists.

In the year that Epic Fail has been together, the members have played at Birdy’s nightclub on the Northside, the Strand Theater in Shelby County, various church festivals and the Artsgarden in Downtown Indianapolis. The band has even booked a gig at Ball State University for an upcoming performance.

Bass player Michael Herrera said the Epic Fail is committed to its music and lives for live performances, when it can see the audience smile.

“We don’t care if we are getting paid or not. We just enjoy being in front of people,” he said.

For Wolfgang Amadeus McMurray, 18, (and yes, that is his real name) playing drums was something he took up as a way to cope with the death of his father in 1995. He said he often thinks about his dad when he is onstage and wonders if he would have been a supporter of the group.

Without a doubt, the group already has plenty of parental support.

Kevin Day, the father of Andrew, serves as a manager, agent, roadie and publicist. A musician himself, he knows of the pitfalls of rock and roll and is determined not to let his son or his friends go down the same path.

“The boys really have a good representative in Mr. Day because he has been able to help them organize themselves into a professional act,” said Amy Willis, public relations coordinator for Sheltering Wings, Danville. “They are able to cover well-known songs as well as perform originals, which are phenomenal.”

Some of those originals appear on the band’s five-song demo CD, recorded in March at the Music Garage, near 71st Street and Binford Boulevard.

A current favorite of the five members is “Another Night Alone,” which was written in 30 minutes and is on the CD, which is for sale at Epic Fail’s performances.

And what’s behind the name Epic Fail? It’s merely slang for messing up badly on something — something the band so far seems unlikely of doing.

Music Garage technician Chris Wodock said he thought the band was an enthusiastic group of young men. He noted that band members asked the right questions and have approached their music with the right frame of mind.

“They needed some help with their arrangements, but I thought they had talent,” he said. “In a lot of cases, you get teen bands who think they know everything, but these guys really live in the moment and want to learn.”

With several shows under its belt, Epic Fail enjoys a following that encompasses both Eastside and Southside fans. Andrew Day said he was recognized by a woman who had seen his performance in Hendricks County.

“I was blown away that she noticed me from the band,” he said. “It was surreal in a sense.”