Smoke or Fire
Encyclopedia
Smoke or Fire is an American
punk rock
band from Boston, Massachusetts.
The band originally formed in 1998, when western Massachusetts native Joe McMahon (lead vocals and bass) got together with Chris Brand (guitar), Bill Ironfield (guitar), and Nick Maggiore (drums), hailing from New Hampshire. Originally calling themselves Jericho, 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.
When living in Boston proved too expensive, the quartet moved to Richmond, Virginia
to explore the punk rock scene and to work 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 politely amended it to Jericho RVA. The initials were a nod to their adopted hometown of Richmond, Virginia.
Jericho RVA is the name that appears on their 2003 EP Worker's Union
. An older version, released under the original name (Jericho), does not include the song "Oxygen" that is on the Jericho RVA release. The other 6 songs of the EP are the same on both records.
Worker's Union caught the attention of reviewers and established bands interested in taking them out on tour. 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.
Due to the strength of the Worker's Union EP, Smoke or Fire were approached by esteemed California punk rock label Fat Wreck Chords
http://www.fatwreck.com/ in late 2004. Their debut album, Above the City
, was co-produced by Fat Mike of NOFX
and was released in March 2005. Since then the band has toured the US and abroad many times over. The band released their second album This Sinking Ship
on February 20, 2007.
Their third and, to date, final album The Speakeasy was finally released November 9, 2010. Some of the tracks were released ahead of time as teasers such as "Neon Lights" and the track "The Speakeasy".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band from Boston, Massachusetts.
The band originally formed in 1998, when western Massachusetts native Joe McMahon (lead vocals and bass) got together with Chris Brand (guitar), Bill Ironfield (guitar), and Nick Maggiore (drums), hailing from New Hampshire. Originally calling themselves Jericho, 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.
When living in Boston proved too expensive, the quartet moved to Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
to explore the punk rock scene and to work 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
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
also called Jericho, to inform them that the name was already taken. To avoid confusion and legal action, the band politely amended it to Jericho RVA. The initials were a nod to their adopted hometown of Richmond, Virginia.
Jericho RVA is the name that appears on their 2003 EP Worker's Union
Worker's Union
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...
. An older version, released under the original name (Jericho), does not include the song "Oxygen" that is on the Jericho RVA release. The other 6 songs of the EP are the same on both records.
Worker's Union caught the attention of reviewers and established bands interested in taking them out on tour. 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.
Due to the strength of the Worker's Union EP, Smoke or Fire were approached by esteemed California punk rock label Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
http://www.fatwreck.com/ in late 2004. Their debut album, Above the City
Above the City
Above The City is the debut album by American punk rock band Smoke or Fire.-Track listing:All tracks by Joe McMahon-Personnel:*Jeremy Cochran – guitar*Ethan Dussault – engineer, mixing, audio production*Fat Mike – producer...
, was co-produced by Fat Mike of NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
and was released in March 2005. Since then the band has toured the US and abroad many times over. The band released their second album This Sinking Ship
This Sinking Ship
This Sinking Ship was released on February 20, 2007 on Fat Wreck Chords. It is the second record from punk band Smoke or Fire. A music video was made for The Patty Hearst Syndrome.- Track listing :# What Separates Us All...
on February 20, 2007.
Their third and, to date, final album The Speakeasy was finally released November 9, 2010. Some of the tracks were released ahead of time as teasers such as "Neon Lights" and the track "The Speakeasy".
Discography
- When the Battery Dies (Released as Jericho [RVA])
- Worker's UnionWorker's UnionWorker'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...
EP (Released as Jericho [RVA] - Above the CityAbove the CityAbove The City is the debut album by American punk rock band Smoke or Fire.-Track listing:All tracks by Joe McMahon-Personnel:*Jeremy Cochran – guitar*Ethan Dussault – engineer, mixing, audio production*Fat Mike – producer...
(2005) - This Sinking ShipThis Sinking ShipThis Sinking Ship was released on February 20, 2007 on Fat Wreck Chords. It is the second record from punk band Smoke or Fire. A music video was made for The Patty Hearst Syndrome.- Track listing :# What Separates Us All...
(2007) - Prehistoric Knife FightPrehistoric Knife FightPrehistoric Knife Fight released by the punk band Smoke or Fire on March 16, 2010. It was released on a 7" vinyl through Fat Wreck Chords and is also available on iTunes in an mp3 format...
7" (2010) - The Speakeasy (2010)