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

 

Kenneth Calleja

Vocals

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

  

 

   

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

 

Photos from the Past (Rock Cafe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRE 2008 all rights reserved.