Fireworks

4 April 2010 | 9:34 pm | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

Detroit pop punk band Fireworks are about to make their first trip to Australia supporting New Found Glory and Hit The Lights, as well are sticking around to do a headlining tour with Heroes For Hire. The band's bass player Kyle answered a few questions for us.

More Fireworks More Fireworks

Detroit pop punk band Fireworks are about to make their first trip to Australia supporting New Found Glory and Hit The Lights, as well are sticking around to do a headlining tour with Heroes For Hire. The band's bass player Kyle answered a few questions for us.

Lets start off by you stating your name, what you do in Fireworks and your favourite Seinfeld character?

I'm Kyle. I play Bass. I’d have to say Kramer. I also spell "Favorite" different from you.

Can you give us a bit of a run down about the band’s history, how the band was formed. Who are the bands main influences?

We started just as an Idea/side project in late '04 when we were all in other bands. Then it just so happened that our other bands broke up around the same time and then we decided to start touring in the summer of '06 and then we just toured a ton, kept busy writing and eventually things fell into place for where we are now. As far as influences go, I don't want to just list off bands because that would be endless. We draw influences from so many different bands. We all grew up on punk/hardcore roots and we each branched off from there in our own individual ways. Experiences and friendship are two of the biggest non-musical influences on the band.

How would you describe the band’s sound for someone who has never heard the band before?

We sound like the feeling you get when you watch Jim Carrey transform into "The mask."

You released your debut album “All I Have To Offer Is My Own Confusion” in March last year. Can you tell us about the writing and recording process for the album?

Well we had been writing off and on for a year or some and so we already had some songs when we found out when we were going to be recording so we brought those to the table. Then we locked ourselves in our storage unit that we call our practice space everyday for nearly a month until we felt we had enough material to bring to the table. The whole process was very collective. With lyrics we sat around in a circle just throwing ideas out.

What was it like recording the album with Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory)? Did he have much input with the songs on the record?

Recording with Chad was great. He has a very good ear. It was great because he suggested a lot of ideas but he was also very open to ours as well. We sat in a rehearsal space in La for 9 hours a day for 3 days straight just going over the songs with him and then he was there with us everyday in the studio. So over all he had a fair amount of input but the whole thing was very much a collective process and he was brought in to trim the fat.

I noticed that the album has a few re-recorded songs from previous releases. What was the main reason for including these songs on the album?

Well, there was really only one, "Show Me Your Vanishing Act One More Time." Chad really liked that song and basically talked us into putting it on our record. I'm glad we did. A demo version of "Closet Weather” appeared on a split in the U.K. but that was just because we wanted to release something over there and really weren't to sure what we were going to do with that song but once we knew we were doing a full length that song was always in our minds for it.

How has the reaction been for the album? I personally think it was one of the best albums released last year, have all the reviews of the album been that favorable?

Well thank you for the kind words. Yeah, We've been very pleased with the feedback from the record. It’s definitely flattering for people to think so highly of our record. Just doing the record was a dream for us and to have such positive feedback from it is amazing.

What is it like working with Triple Crown Records? How did that deal come about?

Triple Crown is great. Fred who runs it is the best dude. The deal came about because a friend of ours ran into Fred at a show and gave him some demos and then he called me a few days later. Then we went out to NYC and met and we just went from there.

Run For Cover Records released the album on vinyl. Why did the band decide that the album should be released on vinyl? Do you think vinyl still has a purpose in today’s music scene?

I think that Vinyl is such a cool medium for music. Especially now since the digital age has taken over the music scene. It gives it something special and gives the listener something to hold on too. It also just has a more raw sound too it. We all collect Vinyl so it just seemed fitting that we release it on vinyl.

You recently announced the band will be making their first trip to Australia in April. What are you looking forward to most about this tour, and do you know what to expect touring down here?

We are all so stoked tour down there. We really don't know what to expect at all. Brett is the only one of us who has ever been there before. So I just want to be surprised when I get there.

The album’s artwork is really impressive. Who did the artwork for the record?

Our friend C.J. Took all the photos and then our friend Adam laid it out. it turned out great.

The band has done some pretty massive tours in the last few years. Which one has been your favourite tour and why?


Touring with Set Your goals has always been my favorite band to tour with. We have toured with them so much and they are some of our favorite dudes. Another favorite is New Found Glory, you can't go wrong with touring with them. Best shows and best dudes. Overall though, we've been very lucky to be able to do the tours we've done. We get a long and are still friends with most of the bands we've ever toured with.

The band is currently on tour as a part of New Found Glory’s massive10th anniversary tour for their self-titled record along with Saves The Day and Hellogoodbye. How has the tour been so far? Any stories you would like to share from it?

The tour has been amazing so far. Every band and person on the tour is really cool. Vinnie Paul came out to one of our shows so that was cool. Also in Pittsburgh we got our van stuck in the snow and basically destroyed our friends driveway and spent 3 hours trying to get our van out after a night of playing two shows.

You recorded the video for “Detroit” a while ago but it has only been released recently. Are you happy with the way the video turned out and was it worth the wait?

I feel it was way worth the wait. The delay was out of our control and I think the video turned out great and we are all very happy with it. It was very fun to film although probably two of the most tiring days I've had in a long time.

I saw that a few members of the band have started a New York hardcore style band Viking, do any of you have any other projects other than Fireworks?


Yes we all have other side projects other than Fireworks. While Tymm, Dave and Chris are in Viking, Brett and I are in a punk rock band called Smear Campaign. Also Brett has a solo folky project called beeboobop.

What does the band like to do when you’re not on tour? Do many of you have day jobs?

Since we tour so much it is hard for us to secure day jobs at home. So when we are home we try to scramble to find odd jobs to earn some extra cash.

Has the band been working on any new material as of late? When can we expect to hear some new songs?

We have been, we've demoed out a few songs and we are hoping to release something before the year is over.

Who are your favourite bands to play shows with and why?

Set Your Goals because they have became like our brother band. We always have fun with those dudes no matter what. New Found Glory is always awesome to play with because the shows are great and they are awesome dudes to hang out with and then This Time Next Year is always a fun band to play and hang out with. I think playing with a band where you truly like the members makes a world of difference when playing a show.

Who are some of the best new band’s you’ve seen lately?


Hour of the Wolf is a great newer band that I've seen lately. Other than that I haven't been able to catch to many newer bands because we are on tour so much.

What was the best show you’ve played and best show you’ve attended this year?


The Best show we've played this year was our CD release show in Michigan last March. It was crazy there was close to 550 people there in a building that definitely doesn't fit that. The Best show I've attended was the Suicide Machines reunion show. They are one of my favorite bands and the shows were insane with Kids jumping of speakers and such. Probably one of the top shows I've ever been too. Plus we drove 16 hours home from tour and got home just in time.

What were your top 10 releases of 2009?

Banner Pilot - Collapser
Frank Turner - Poetry Of The Deed
This Time Next Year - Road Maps And Heart Attacks
Weekend Nachos - Unforgivable
Dinosaur Jr - Farm
Iron Age - The Sleeping Eye
Tegan And Sara - Saint Hood
Polar Bear Club - Chasing Hamburg
Paint it Black - Amnesia
Cheap Girls - My Roaring 20's

Few quick questions:

Lifetime or The Movielife?

The Probably wouldn't be The Movielife with out Lifetime. So Lifetime.

Coke or Pepsi?

Believe it or not I've never really had either but Pepsi caused more injury to Michael Jackson so Coke.

Metallica or Megadeth?

Metallica.

Leno or Conan?

Conan duh.

Jimmy Fallon or getting punched in the face?


Jimmy Fallon. I like him and getting punched in the face sucks.

What are the band’s plans for the rest of 2010?

Yeah, coming to Australia to see you guys! Then we are going to the UK. After that I think we are going to do a headline run. Other than touring we plan on writing.

Any last words or shout outs?


Yeah, get involved with music. Go to shows, Support bands. Book shows. Whatever you can do to stay involved will be appreciated by someone.

http://www.myspace.com/fireworks
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fireworks/8863626837
http://twitter.com/wearefireworks
http://www.merchdirect.com/fireworks