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Biography
FIRE was initially formed in
1998 by Ruben (Viking), Kenneth, Norma, Tamara, Jonathan (drums), Jethro
and Twanny (Pistols) on guitars. By 1999 FIRE had played in various events
such as Biker Charity Rides, Bar Gigs and played support for Status Quo's
Malta gig in 1998.
The year 2000 brought the first
line-up change when Lawrence (drums) and Luke (guitars) joined the band.
Another change in line up occurred in 2002 when guitarists Joseph (Pejxa)
and Robert Longo rounded out the new 6 piece line-up. Despite all odds,
flooding of rehearsal room & theft of equipment, the band did not give up or
even slow down. Shifting to another rehearsal room gave them an
inspirational fresh start.
In 2004 the band started
recording their own material at Robert's studio. The result of these
sessions were two singles titled Make Believe and Manhunter that were
released on the band's own label in 2005. The singles succeeded in getting
the band airplay on local radio stations. Later in the same year, the band
started working on new material for their debut album which should have been
released sometime in 2005, however, another set back occurred when bassist
VIKING decided to quit. Two months later FIRE got back to rocking the island
with their new line up which included new bassist Chalee.
With this line-up, the band
started to gig regularly and built up an extensive repertoire of covers and
own material, The band covers tracks from Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Judas
Priest, Whitesnake, AC/DC, Darkness, Nickleback, ZZ Top and many more.
During 2006, the band continued
to work in the studio and their debut album entitled "IGNITE" was released
by the end of August 2006. The album is made up of 10 original tracks and
has received very good reviews in all local media and on mp3unsigned.com.
Local radio stations picked up this release and the band got extensive
airplay. To promote the CD the band has played to packed audiences in
practically every club in Malta and has done several interviews on radio and
with the press.
In late October 2006 FIRE won
the Oktoberfest Battle of the bands organized by pres-malta. The band won
both the audience vote as well as the jury vote. As a result the band will
be performing in Liverpool in 2007 in the Matthew Street Festival.
In November 2006 FIRE was chosen
as support band for the KROKUS gig in Malta.
And that's
all until now . . .
Keep
an eye open for any FIRE gigs as they definitely Rock the house down . . .
Band
Line Up
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Kenneth Calleja
Vocals
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Star Sign
Scorpio
Favorite Bands
Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Led Zepplin, Krokus, ACDC
Favorite Singer
Definitely David Coverdale
Favorite Album
Whitesnake - Whitesnake
Hobbies
Motorbikes
Previous Bands
Explicit
Most likely to say
"I am hungry"
Most likely NOT to say
"Lets
watch a football game"
Equipment
SHURE SM58Beta Microphone
SHURE SM58Beta Cordless Microphone
Behringer PMX2000 500Watt 12 Channel PA System
4 x Wharfdale Cabinets with 15" speakers
2 x Powered Wharfdale Stage Monitors with 12" Speakers
Digitech Vocal 300 Delay Pedal
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Joe Vella (Pejxa)
Guitars |
Star Sign
Taurus
Favorite Bands
Deep Purple, Rainbow, Synphony X, Yngwie Mulmsteen
Favorite
Guitarist
Ritchie Blackmore
Favorite Album
Rainbow - Rainbow Rising
Hobbies
Reading, Mountains, Music, Drinking red wine ;)
Previous Bands
Stratkast, Joe Mizzi Band, Dirty Soul Angels
Most likely to say
"I Forgot . . . "
Most likely NOT to say
"I
Remembered . . . "
Equipment
Ibanez JEM 7VWH
Fender Stratocaster (Ritchie Blackmore Signature)
Fender Startocaster (YJM Signature)
Marshall TSL-100 Head
Marshall 1960A 4x12 Celestion Greenbacks Cabinet
Ibanez Tube Screamer
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Robert Longo
Guitars |
Star Sign
Scorpio
Favorite Bands
Elio e le storie tese
Favorite Guitarist
Steve Vai
Favorite Album
Deep Purple - Made in Japan
Hobbies
Model Trains
Previous Bands
To many to mention . . .
Most likely to say
"I need to eat"
Most likely NOT to say
"Lets
go for a swim"
Equipment
Fender
Stratocaster
LTD ESP Guitar
Lowden Acoustic guitar
Johnson AMP with integrated effects pedal
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Laurence Baldacchino
Drums |
Star Sign
Leo
Favorite Bands
Rush
Favorite
Drummer
Neil Pert
Favorite Album
UK - UK
Hobbies
Computers, Drums
Previous Bands
Necromancer, VHF,The Business, StratKast, Mirage,
Rough Rider, Killing Time, Purple Haze
Most likely to say
"Don't do it for a living"
Most likely NOT to say
"How Nice . . . The venue has got a drum kit"
Equipment
Premier Elite 1980 7 Piece Beige Classic Kit
3 Toms, 2 Floor Toms, 20" Bass Drum, 1 Snare
6 piece cymbals and Hi-hat
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Charles Cassar
Bass |
Star Sign
Aries
Favorite Bands
Steely Dan, Rush
Favorite Bassist
Stanley Clark
Favorite Album
Steely Dan - Aja
Hobbies
"No Hobbies"
Previous Bands
Zizza Ensemble
Most likely to say
"A bass guitar solo would fit nicely here"
Most likely NOT to say
"I'm
really overplaying"
Equipment
Fender Jazz Bass
Gallien-Krueger Bass Amplifier
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Past band members
Norma Cassar - Backing Vocals
(2006)
Ruben (Viking) - Bass (2005)
Joseph - Keyboards (2003)
Manuel (Manny) - Guitars
(2003)
Twanny
(Pistols) - Guitars (2002)
Luke - Guitars (2002)
Jethro - Guitars (2000)
Jonathan - Drums (2000)
Tamara - Backing Vocals (1999)
Original Band Line up
as at 1998
Kenneth - Vocals
Norma & Tamara - Backing Vocals
Ruben (Viking) - Bass
Twanny
(Pistols) - Guitars
Jethro Cuschieri - Guitars
Jonathan Callus - Drums
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Photos from the Past (Rock Cafe)
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