Nimrod Wildfire
Rochester, New York, United States | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
Band leader Bob Miller is an engaging storyteller, and he captures a vintagetoned Warren Zevon vibe in "707," recounting a wild, martini-fueled plane ride. Love the uniquely circustwang guitar in the solo. A bluesier feel propels the sardonic "Corporate Refuge," about the adverse effects of selling one's soul. The thoughtprovoking, if repetitive, "Guts" shows Miller at his most philosophic and, as in the other tunes here, there's plenty of room for his seasoned players to stretch and show what they can do. No doubt an entertaining live act. - Music Connection Magazine
With a name sounding a lot like a "Dick Tracy" character, Nimrod Wildfire is actually the current music outing of ex-Blue Avengers co-founder Bob Miller. With a bit of a British folk/rock feel, Nimrod WIldfire is a guitar-centric, thought-provoking, socially relevant project wrapped in deceptive simplicity. You'll dig it. - City Newspaper, Rochester, NY
Nimrod Wildfire
Corporate Refugee
(Blue Muze)
Corporate Refugee offers a mix of several genres. Pop-rock, country, reggae and jazz mix to form a varied tableau. Strong vocals guide each song, led by Bob Miller, the man behind the name "Nimrod Wildfire." On the rare occasion when Miller isn't leading the vocals, bassist Matt Backer takes over. Lyrics focus on social commentary and love. Miller crafts the lyrics like a bricklayer, building a story block by block. The title track, "Corporate Refuge," tells the story of a man who loses his soul to unethical business with straightforward, compelling lyrics. Though strong vocals and highly original lyrics are Corporate Refugee's greatest strength, the band at times feels relegated to the background, as if it were only there to focus attention on the lead singer. —Patrick Kelley - The Valley Advocate
Nimrod Wildfire, Corporate Refugee(Blue Muze)
From musician to software company CEO and back to music, Bob Miller tells his tale here. Chiming guitars, solos full of Fender goodness, and a dipping of the toe into various rock styles sum things up. “707” is the highlight with clever wordplay and maginative chord changes. – JH"
From Vintage Guitar Magazine, January 2013 Issue - Vintage Guitar Magazine
Discography
2012: Corporate Refugee. Played on WRUR (Rochester NY), Radio Adelaide (Australia), WBZA (Rochester NY), WKYZ (Key West FL), and others. Reviewed in Vintage Guitar Magazine, Music Connection Magaine and others.
Photos
Bio
Bob Miller started his music career playing pubs and working as a session guitarist in London in the early Seventies. After returning to the States, he attended the Berklee School of Music to pursue a career in the studios. This proved to be poor timing, since live studio musicians were quickly being displaced by computers. Deciding to switch rather than fight, Bob wound up owning a software company.
Bob has played in several bands including his prior band, Blue Avengers; Tina and the Two-Timers, and Fat City. He has studied improvisation, music theory and composition at the Eastman School of Music. Bob composed the music and lyrics for his first album, recorded in London in 2012, under the name Nimrod Wildfire.
Tina Albright showed talent at an early age, singing jingles to her sisters. She started piano lessons at eight and sang in musicals in high school. With a bachelor's degree in vocal performance from the Eastman School of Music, she has gone on to sing with The White Hots, The Bill Welch Band, and fronted Tina & The Two Timers.
Keyboardist Steve Siegel hails from Philadelphia. Steve studied piano from a young age, and picked up the saxophone at age 11. High school and college bands eventually gave way to a career in the pro sound industry, and today he is a partner in Fulcrum Acoustic, a manufacturer of professional loudspeaker systems. Bob and Steve first played together in Blue Avengers. After Blue Avengers, Steve played in The Half Ton Horns, and has gigged with a number of other Rochester bands. He's known for his versatility, quickness and precision learning new material, and his consistent musicality.
Rich Simbari started out on a Teisco bass at thirteen. In addition to the usual high school bands, he has played with Thin Ice, American Band, Innuendo, Tina & The Two Timers and the Wegman's corporate band.
Steve Gates started drumming professionally in 1963 at the age of 15 playing the midwest ballroom circuit including many appearances at the world famous Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. He is a North Texas State University alum, a Summit Records recording artist while in Dallas and has appeared three times at the Rochester International Jazz Festival.
Previous recordings include work with bassist Richard Bowden and on the original Jonathan Feldman Trio CD “Straight Ahead and Blue.� Now living in Rochester, NY, he is a familiar face around the local club scene and has worked with jazz artists Sonny Miles, Katie Ernst and for several years with singer Russell Fielder.
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