EMQ’s with FIRE THE HUMANS

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EMQ’s with FIRE THE HUMANS

Hi Everyone! Welcome to another EMQs, this time with St Louis, Missouri based Melodic solo project, Fire The Humans. Huge thanks to them for taking part.

What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

Fire the Humans is a solo project I started Jan 1 of 2021. With it being a solo project, there are no members, only myself. I write and sing but do however surround myself with incredible people to do things I cannot. I have one of the best producers in the game and ask other talented musicians I know to participate in any live performances, or studio sessions. Whether that’s in a video, acoustic performance, live show and whatever else is needed. I have always sung in rock bands but had a dream to release a different sound and fly independently. I love playing with a group, but Fire the Humans allows me the ability to pivot quickly. It eliminates too many cooks in the kitchen. Things get done faster and I’m also in control of the pulse. When the pandemic brought everything to a crawl in the industry, that allowed me time to focus on writing, timelines, the sound, production and launching. Everything timed out great, and I haven’t looked back.

How did you come up with your band name?

Fire the Humans is ultimately a “tongue in cheek” reference to how poorly we’re managing ourselves as the human race. From ocean depletion, pollution, crime, greed, hunger, the most recent global pandemic. We as humans are even working on tasks like leaving this planet because we’ve destroyed it so much. I could go on.

What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?

Born and raised just outside of my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri in the United States. I have always lived here. The rock scene is fantastic in St. Louis. It is home to one of the great rock bands, Story of the Year. We have many others, but they are a true global success. I don’t know them well, but we have met a few times and they have always been very kind to me. Others like Outrun the Fall, Cavo, Discrepancies, Brookroyal, and Greek Fire all come from our hometown. Incredible people and I’m a fan of them all.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

‘Can’t Stop’ was released on 26th November 2021 and I’m really proud of this single. Although this project sound is not anything in the realm of hard rock or metal, it is still a wonderfully written song. I loved it so much and believe it will bring commercial success, that I rerecorded it to release as a “stripped version” with only piano, vocals, and orchestra pieces. That version came out mid-December.

Who have been your greatest influences?

I love bands and artists that write great songs, have catchy hooks, and are fearless in their pursuit of being themselves. Social media has watered down “identity” to some degree, so I appreciate when someone is 100% completely comfortable in their own skin. For example, Rival Sons, or Prince. Opposite ends of the spectrum musically, but both are completely at home doing what they do best. Knowing their strengths and delivering that to the fullest. Like them or hate them, they move forward. That’s influencing to me.

What first got you into music?

My parents were both musicians, so I was raised in a home surrounded by music and instruments. I learned to play drums at an early age, then began singing. My parents bought my sister and I a drum set when I was in 7th or 8th grade. By the time freshman year came along, I met other guys that were learning their instruments as well, formed bands, and went from there.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?

I would like ILLENIUM to put one of my songs in his catalogue of production. To record a song with Oli from Bring Me The Horizon would be pretty rad too.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Wow, there are so many I would love to play someday. Creamfields, Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, Dekmantel Festival would be awesome, ADE: Amsterdam Dance Event… all of these because of the energy, ambiance, and people that show up. They are all there for the same reason. To unplug from the “real-world” and connect with music. What a dream.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

Not sure how weird this is, but had a fan send a roadie of ours backstage to see if I would sell her my pants after a show.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

I appreciate your support. Truly. I believe the right people come into my life to hear my art and stay to see more. The wrong people leave that don’t feel it, get it, understand it, or whatever. For those of you that stay for the journey, it doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s very appreciated and I can’t wait for you to see what is coming…

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Prince. He just did things right in my book musically. Gave all of his soul to music for us to enjoy. So many use the word “genius” when describing people, but he’s the only one I have ever called a “genius”. Writing, playing, producing, performing, marketing, his look, on and on and on, all while keeping his privacy, which in turn made fans want more. He nailed it.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

Being a musician is a blessing and a curse. I tell my family this. I love that God gave me a gift where I’m able to see and hear things in my mind and imagination, and do my best to put it out for others to see and feel. Sometimes, as a musician our minds aren’t wired like others. We think differently. See differently. That can either work to our advantage or in some environments, work against us. Not fitting in is a normal feeling for musicians. We have seen this through history with musicians battling drug addictions, alcoholism, and many other vices to escape the baggage we carry as unwanted people. The flip side to that coin is that sometimes as a musician we are ONLY wanted for what we can do with music, which leads to loneliness as well. It’s a cycle.  

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

I would do away with awards and award shows for musicians. That is counteractive to why we create art. I see many artists blinded by their own fame and success. I laugh when I see people accepting awards. What a comical human ritual we’ve created. Get over yourself.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

“Far Beyond Driven” by Pantera is an album I have listened to 75,000 times. Amongst all of their others, but that record was a game changer.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?

I don’t mind downloads, because it quick and instant. I’m impatient so I like that. However, the romance of an artist is now gone because of that disconnect. Saving your money, going to a music store, buying a CD or record, looking at the cover art, reading the lyrics, staring at the pictures, praying they come to your town to go see them made a vested connection. Those days are different now. There is no waiting, no mystery, no skin in the game.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

In 2017, a sold-out show in my hometown at a place called The Duck Room at Blueberry Hill. Small and intimate venue, but signified with a band I was in that people were connecting with us and our sound.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

An artist. Creating something out of nothing most likely. Trying to get these sounds and images out for people to experience with me.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

My amazing wife Meg, my beautiful twin daughters Page and Ella, my best friend son, Jackson and Will Ferrell to make us all laugh at dinner.

What’s next for the band?

I have a couple more singles I’m working on that I’d like to share with the world in Q1 of 2022. Live shows for 2022 are being booked, schedules coordinated and hopefully continuing to spread Fire the Humans to every home.

What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

I actually stay away from some, but I do use a Fire the Humans YouTube page, a brand new Instagram page, and of course all digital media platforms like Spotify. I truly appreciate all of the support and look forward to meeting you all one day (hopefully soon). Click follow, subscribe and be sure to share this music with all of your friends.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsHkfEq7x3eyAXMM3YYbVoA
https://www.instagram.com/firethehumans/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2CxL4IbzKJa7ym8eBpmL7M

Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?

They are most certainly a cake. Although “biscuit-sized”, they are a cake.

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thank you for having me! Share Fire the Humans with a friend today and let me know a place you’d like to see me play around you! Tag Fire the Humans on a cool venue you suggest. Thanks!

Fire The Humans Promo Pic

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

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