Surprise... Fire

EVERY generation of Ryedale bands has one that seems to take that extra step.

The last generation had My Friend Juliet and, of course, One Night Only, and this time it’s surely Surprise...Fire.

So, who are Surprise...Fire?

They have got the Ryedale music legend Matt Clarkson involved, but there are a few others beside the bearded wonder. The line-up is Josh, vocals; Matt, guitar and backing vocals; Fred, bass; Will, guitar and Sam, drums.

Why are people getting a little bit excited about Surprise...Fire? Well, they have had a string of solid successes in their short time as a band that lend themselves to an encouraging future, including:

* BBC Radio Live sessions

* Some good headline shows

* A very decent EP

* Radio 1 airplay

However, something that will get you a bigger fan base and make people stand to attention is the small matter of the band playing at a local festival, I think it’s called... the name escapes me, oh yeah that’s it, Leeds Festival. Yep, that’s right the band will be playing Leeds and Reading this year as part of the BBC introducing line-up.

Try www.myspace.com/SurpriseFire for more information, pictures and all sorts of band related fun.

There are plenty of chances to check out Ryedale’s hottest new band and here they are:

August 29, Leeds Festival at 12.30pm; September 30, Reading Festival at 7.30pm; September 5, Suddaby’s Headline at 8pm; September 12: Music Event, Minster FM, Pocklington at 8pm; September 13, Boardwalk, Sheffield at 7.30pm and October 19, Fibbers at 8pm.


No weaknesses on EP
WITH all of the live gigs and radio appearances rolling in The Vibe has got a sneaky copy of th new EP from Surprise... Fire.

The EP featured five tracks and here is a quick run down of them one by one.

Track 1 – West Coast

West Coast is a fantastic start, building from a nice picking pattern on the guitar before kicking into a meaty guitar part and the ballad chorus that is nicely harmonised between Josh and Matt.

The vocals melody in the verses is upbeat and brings a really nice tempo in a similar way to many Panic At The Disco tracks. As the song progresses it reaches a breakdown, showing influences of Taking Back Sunday and Brand New with some soft vocals before the song kicks back into the chorus. This song is stupidly memorable, you will find yourself singing the chorus under your breathe all day.

Track 2 – Mountains

Starting in a much heavy fashion, it’s all cymbals and guitar. The vocals are more aggressive than West Coast and the lyrics and clever and well thought through.

The Mountains chorus is not as catchy as the previous track but offers a different type of satisfaction and is an accomplished song showing Surprise...Fire to be more than your average teenage/early twenties band.

Again the band influences are apparent, with the two and three-part vocals standing out and adding a lot to the weight of the song.

Track 3 – Boxer

The opening guitar part is awesome. It sets an upbeat and reflective mood for the whole song, and the vocals and music carries that theme throughout, but with a few really nice touches.

What really stands out for me is the chorus and the nice balance between the clean picked guitar and the odd crunchy guitar part to keep you guessing.

You often find that songs three and four on an EP can drop away in standard but if anything this takes another step to solidifying the quality – if not even raising the bar a touch.

Track 4 – Burning Art

Burning Art begins slowly in comparison to the rest of the EP but does show a nice ability to change the style up.

You might be forgiven for thinking its going to be a downbeat instrumental number, but when the vocals kick in the pace picks up and helps to create a satisfying song which will no doubt sound absolutely huge live.

Track 5 – Rocket Work

Starting with a nice vocal melody this song has the feeling of Lostprophets’ Last Summer mixed with My Heart is the Worst Kind of Weapon by Fall Out Boy.

It offers a nostalgic end to the EP and leaves you with a definite feeling of completion by the end.

I don’t think there is a weak track on this EP at all. Make sure you get a copy and keep checking back on the guys’ progress on their myspace site.


(by Sam Meegan) - Gazette & Herald

SO, I have some good news. In a scene that seems to be suffering a slight lull since the dizzy heights reached by Ryedale bands over the last five years, it brings me great pleasure to announce that a total legend in the local area, Matt Clarkson (Cruithne, The Final Sigh, etc) has taken on a new project based in Kirkbymoorside, going by the name of Surprise…Fire.

Having been freshly supplied with their new EP (which doesn’t have a title, adopting the age-old position of letting actions speak louder than words), here is a brief look at what the guys have to offer:

Track listings

1 West Coast
2 You Left Your Roots at the Scene
3 Rocket Work

West Coast: This song has definite influences lying in the American emo/progressive/alternative rock genres, although we could argue all day about exactly what these genres consist of.

The easiest way to put it is place Brand New and Taking Back Sunday in a wrestling ring, give them both a stick made of Thrice, and let them smash each other around until they become one big pile of band.

This song has the meaty ballad chorus, the mid-song breakdown and the stuttered kick-back into the chorus with a more up-tempo beat.

It isn’t original and could be considered a little predictable for those well-versed in the aforementioned genres. However, two things really stand out from this song. Firstly, Surprise...Fire are enjoying their music and creating something they would choose to listen to; and secondly, they actually have the writing skills and ability to make a perhaps over-used genre still sound interesting and fresh.

This is a great opening track, and really sets you up for the rest of the EP.

You Left Your Roots at the Scene: Whereas West Coast really hits you with a big chorus straightaway, this song opens with some nice finger-picking and soft vocals.

The lead vocals have elements of Jesse Lacey (Brand New) and carry the song well. The lyrics are also well thought out, but do seemingly lack emotion at points. The choruses again bring a big sound, with some great two-part vocals and some crunching guitars which offer the listener (and you would imagine a live audience also) the chance to really scream along and get involved. This song does show a bit of range to Surprise...Fire’s music.

Rocket Work: Wow, this song is great. Rocket Work is my personal favourite from the EP. It offers some up-tempo guitar strumming for the verses with vocal melody patterns most akin to those of acoustic Fall Out Boy. The chorus works really well and this song seems to complete the EP nicely.

If you are a fan of any of the bands mentioned in this review, then you will enjoy Surprise...Fire. Their music is well thought out and works really well. They bring a mix of good music that isn’t too complicated in its approach, vocals that are not over the top, and, well, the whole EP, especially considering it is the band’s first offering, suggests that a mix of consummate writing and pure enjoyment of music can create something that is pretty special.

Surprise...Fire are:

Josh Finn – vocals
Matthew Clarkson – guitar/vocals
William Illingworth – guitar
Freddie Holden – bass
Sam Knowles – drums

A surprise gig of the month

GET yourself down to the legendary venue that is Fibbers and treat yourself to Ryedale’s finest rock in the form of Surprise...Fire.

The Kirkby-based five-piece will be playing in support of In Case of Fire, who are currently out on a big UK tour with Charlie from Busted’s (he’d hate to be referred to as that, I’m sure) Fightstar.

This will be the first chance for a lot of you, and me, to hear the guys live, so let’s have yet another strong Ryedale following down to cause a stir.

Details:

Date: Wednesday, May 27.

Cost: £6 advance, £7.50 on the door (I’d book ahead if I were you.) Venue: Fibbers, Stonebow, York.

Age restrictions: 14+ (you must bring ID).

Tickets: 0844 8472424 or www.fibbers.co.uk


(By Sam Meegan) - Gazette & Herald