Smoke or Fire | |
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 Fest Five, October 2006. Photo by Brian Kelleher. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Jericho, Jericho RVA |
| Origin | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | Punk rock, pop punk, melodic hardcore |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Fat Wreck Chords, Iodine Recordings |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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Smoke or Fire is an American punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, [1] United States.
The band originally formed in 1998, [2] [3] when western Massachusetts native Joe McMahon got together with Chris Brand, Bill Ironfield, and Nick Maggiore, who hailed from New Hampshire. Originally calling themselves Jericho, [4] the band released their debut album, When the Battery Dies, in 2000. After the release of this record, Chris Brand left and Jeremy Cochran replaced him. Their fan base grew as they played DIY basement shows and small clubs throughout the Northeast.
After the release of When the Battery Dies, the quartet moved to Richmond, Virginia, [3] where they worked on their second album. This is when Bill Ironfield left the band, and Ken Gurley joined on bass, with Joe McMahon taking over guitar.
It was at about this time that band was contacted by a 1970s-era Christian rock band from Houston, Texas also called Jericho, to inform them that the name was already taken. To avoid confusion and legal action, the band amended it to Jericho RVA. The initials were a nod to their new hometown of Richmond, Virginia. [3]
Jericho RVA is the name that appears on their 2003 extended play Worker's Union . An older version, released under the band's original name Jericho, does not include the song "Oxygen" that is on the Jericho RVA release. The other six songs of the EP are the same on both records. Worker's Union caught the attention of reviewers, labels, and established bands interested in taking them out on tour, such as NOFX and Fat Wreck Chords. [1]
Due to pressure from Christian groups that complained about the religious "blasphemy" of a bible-derived name, Jericho RVA changed their name again to Smoke or Fire in 2004. [3]
Due to the strength of the Worker's Union EP, Smoke or Fire were approached by esteemed California punk rock label Fat Wreck Chords in late 2004. Their debut album, Above the City , was co-produced by Fat Mike of NOFX and was released in March 2005.
The band released their second album This Sinking Ship on February 20, 2007. Later in 2007, Ken Gurley departed the band. [5] The next year, Gwomper from Avail joined as the band's new bassist. [6]
Their third and, to date, latest album, The Speakeasy, was released November 9, 2010. Some of the tracks were released ahead of time as teasers such as "Neon Lights" and the title track "The Speakeasy".
Joe McMahon relocated to Münster, Germany, in 2013. While there, he recorded acoustic covers of several Smoke or Fire songs, including "Neon Lights." [7] He released his debut solo album, Another Life, on September 2, 2016, under Smartpunk in the United States and Gunner Records in Europe.
In 2022, the Boston-based label Iodine Recordings announced their intentions to release Beauty Fades. The compilation features all the songs from the Worker's Union extended play, as well as other unreleased tracks and B-sides. Beauty Fades was released on May 27, 2022. [1] [8]
NOFX are an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. Bassist/lead vocalist Fat Mike, rhythm guitarist Eric Melvin and drummer Erik Sandin are original founding and longest-serving members of the band, who have appeared on every release of the band, although Sandin departed briefly in 1985, only to rejoin the following year. El Hefe joined the band in 1991 to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up.
Punk in Drublic is the fifth studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on July 19, 1994, through Epitaph Records. The title is a spoonerism of "Drunk in Public".
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California-based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by NOFX lead singer Michael Burkett, and his wife at the time, Erin Burkett in 1990.
So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on November 11, 1997, through Epitaph Records.
The War on Errorism is the ninth studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on May 6, 2003, through Fat Wreck Chords.
Snuff are a British punk rock band formed in Hendon in 1986. The original line-up was Duncan Redmonds on drums and vocals, Simon Wells on guitar and vocals and Andy Crighton on bass, with Dave Redmonds being added to the line-up on trombone before the release of Flibbiddydibbiddydob.
Strung Out is an American punk rock band from Simi Valley, California, formed in 1989. They are known mainly for their musical style, which fuses aspects of melodic punk rock, progressive rock and heavy metal to form their primary sound. They have released nine studio albums on Fat Wreck Chords as well as one Live album, 2 B-sides collections, a best-of, a box set and appeared on numerous compilations and skate/surf/dirt bike/offroading videos. They have played on the Warped Tour and continue to tour internationally. The band currently have an ongoing collaboration beer with Lucky Luke Brewing Company called “Astrolux Golden Ale”. Their albums have charted on the Billboard 200.
Anthony James Sly was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the front man of the punk rock band No Use for a Name. In his later years he also gained attention for his acoustic solo work, with two acoustic split albums he released with Lagwagon front man Joey Cape and two solo albums.
Wolves in Wolves' Clothing is the tenth studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. At 46 minutes, this is NOFX's longest studio album.
Enemy You was an American punk rock band from San Francisco, California, United States, that formed in 1997.
The Sainte Catherines were a Canadian six-piece punk-rock band who formed in Montreal in 1999. The group's name comes from Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of Montreal's main streets. Their third record, The Art of Arrogance was released on local label Dare to Care Records in 2003 and on the German label Yo-Yo Records. In 2006, the band released its fourth LP, titled Dancing for Decadence. The album was released in the United States by Fat Wreck Chords. The Sainte Catherines are the first band from Quebec to be signed to Fat Wreck. In August 2006, The Sainte Catherines played their 500th show. They also released split 7-inch records with Fifth Hour Hero and Whiskey Sunday. In 2008, The Sainte Catherines won a GAMIQ Award for punk album of the year.
Iodine Recordings is an independent record label based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Iodine Recordings releases punk, hardcore, and indie rock music. It was once home to bands such as Brand New, Orange Island, Smoke or Fire, There Were Wires, Gregor Samsa, and more.
Worker's Union is the first EP from Richmond, Virginia-based punk band Smoke or Fire. This was originally recorded under the name Jericho RVA and the band was forced to change their name shortly after the record's release due to a band already existing under the same name. This record was released on the Boston-based record label Iodine Recordings and received great reviews from the punk rock community. Iodine Recordings went out of business shortly after Worker's Union was released, which limited its distribution. Smoke or Fire signed to Fat Wreck Chords soon after and released their follow-up album Above the City.
Coaster is the eleventh studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on April 28, 2009 through Fat Wreck Chords.
Above The City is the debut album by American punk rock band Smoke or Fire, released in 2005. It was produced by Fat Mike under Fat Wreck Records, and was the band's first full-length album. Above the City has drawn comparison to Against Me! and Lawrence Arms, and has been called a "punching sincere punk rock album". The album reached #62 in CMJ's "Radio 100" in 2005, spending at least 5 weeks on the list.
This Sinking Ship is an album by punk band Smoke or Fire, released in 2007.
NOFX is an EP by the American punk rock band NOFX, released August 2, 2011, through Fat Wreck Chords and consisting almost entirely of cover versions of hardcore punk songs. The idea for the EP was originally announced in 2009—before the release of the group's eleventh studio album Coaster—and was originally announced to be released exclusively as a 10" vinyl record. The EP was also made available in 7", 12", and picture disc formats, all containing the same track listing.
Self Entitled is the twelfth studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on September 11, 2012 through Fat Wreck Chords.
The Speakeasy is the third studio album by American punk rock band Smoke or Fire. It was released on November 9, 2010, on Fat Wreck Chords.
Ribbed: Live in a Dive is an album by American punk band NOFX; it is the band's third live album and the eighth installment of their Live in a Dive series. Released on August 3, 2018 by Fat Wreck Chords, the album is a live presentation of their songs from the 1991 studio album Ribbed. The album was recorded in 2012 from their concert at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles.
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