Mark Maggi: I play drums in the band Defiant. We started about 15 years ago, me and Tom. Then I met his sister here and this band has taken off over the last four years. We’ve been playing out quite a bit. We play classic rock with a metal influence. But around here you have to play a lot of Creedence and a lot of Top 40. It’s the only way you can get a gig. But when you get the chance to play an original, you take it right away. We’ve got about 20 songs of our own between all of us.

We’re influenced by Black Sabbath, Metallica, all that stuff. I’m from Browning, so I was kind of late to the metal thing. These guys lived in Seattle, so they got to hear more…

Thomas Kipp: Megadeth, Slayer, Guns ’n’ Roses—all the 80s heavy metal bands. Randy Rhodes, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Jimi Hendrix are my biggest influences as a guitarist. Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath too.

Christine Kipp: My favorite bass player ever is Cliff Burton from Metallica. I got to see him live in Seattle before he died. He was strong and he put a lot of heart into it. You could tell.

Living here in Browning was a little hard at first, but being around my relatives helped me to find out who I was. In Seattle, I felt like I was always alone. There’s a sense of community here. Everyone watches out for you. It’s like a big family here on the reservation.

Thomas: I felt like I was coming home when we moved back here. My spirituality got pretty strong and I’m getting into the Blackfeet ceremonies. Just being around the people is great. I feel like I belong. This is where my ancestors lived for thousands and thousands of years.

Mark: My situation’s the opposite. I’m from here. Every chance I’ve gotten, I’ve taken off. This is a reservation, so you are limited in the things you can do here.

We named our band Defiant because when we started, everyone was telling me that I shouldn’t have my wife playing bass for me and her brother on guitar. Also, a lot of people here are more into country. So when we came out we were really aggressive. We are who we are and we don’t have to answer to anyone. So actually, we have just recently decided to change our name to the Blackfeet word Akihksasit. That means “defiant.”

VICE STAFF

COMMENTS

Subject: U guys haha Date: Mar 31 2006 08:43:45 PM Author: Jordan well,me and my friend brandon play guitar he is good at solos but im good at rythm and he use to box and i think it was thomas kipp or somethin that was his coach but he tells me that u guys are awesome and stuff and that u guys play Wicked guitar, i hope to hear u guys play my email is, Boom_speed_91@yahoo.com Subject: to tom from the next gen of metal heads Date: Feb 23 2006 09:31:03 AM Author: Lee you guys are an inspiration. I know your brother glen he introduced me to megadeth and they've been one of my fav bands ever since. i think you know my mom her names janice TF (abbreviated) thats how i know glen and celia etc. my brother, cousin, and me are forming a metal band we're both guitarists, my cousin is drummer so we just need a bassist. I was thinking of calling our band "Genocide Failure" because white people tried to kill us all off and they failed, anyway best of luck and fucking rock on \m/ Subject: Comments Date: Feb 04 2006 09:02:32 PM Author: thomas kipp This is Thomas Kipp lead guitar player of Defiant. If you want to know more about the music, e-mail at tomkipp@hotmail.com I also have a solo project going. Subject: yeah Date: Feb 04 2006 03:48:32 AM Author: Katie I'm from Browning and i heard them play, and i think there awesome!! They have really inspired me to play. Theres this website (isound.com), and theres all kinds of record lables looking for all kinds of bands. I think they should go on and try to get signed.that would be so cool. I know i would be one of there biggest fans.:) Subject: Go get um Date: Jan 31 2006 04:34:06 PM Author: Uncle I’m glade to see some thing about u guys out here that is my Nice, Nephuew inlaw and Nephew and I don’t like there kind of music but hay I have hurd them and have to say they r good so u guys have a good time and don’t cave in to what any one thinks …………… Uncle K Subject: "Akihksasit" (Defiant) Date: Jan 30 2006 05:34:11 PM Author: holysingingwoman You are one of the "best" bands I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I'm very proud of your "defiance" and the willingness to assist when needed. Subject: here ya go Date: Jan 28 2006 04:41:13 PM Author: to jimjo Just go to Browning and find out where Tom Kipp is at the Boxing Club and you can hear their tunes. They are an awesome band!! Subject: yah Date: Jan 28 2006 04:58:14 AM Author: Danja Doom Fuckin sick...like a Native American Children of Bodom? I doubt it, but metal pervades all walks of life and brings people substance to their monotonous lives, especially when your town has a pop. of aprox.15000 and unepmloyment of 80% (the favorite factoid)....and the blackfeet have a much better perspective on life as a whole than any of us city fuckers do Subject: Hehe Date: Jan 17 2006 10:14:17 AM Author: HaHa I wonder if they cover Blackfoot... Subject: music Date: Jan 16 2006 06:26:04 PM Author: jimjo where can i hear these akihksasit tunes?