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Smoke or Fire

 
Artist: Smoke or Fire
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Smoke or Fire

Group Members:

Joe McMahon, David Atchison, Ken Gurley, Jeremy Cochran, Nick Maggiore

Similar Artists:

Strike Anywhere, Rise Against, Dillinger Four, Dead to Me, Static Radio NJ, Against Me!, The Lawrence Arms, The Loved Ones, None More Black, Latterman, Small Brown Bike, Lock & Key, Gunmoll

Influenced By:

Avail, Hot Water Music, The Replacements, Bruce Springsteen

Formal Connection With:

From Ashes Rise
  • Formed: 1998, Richmond, VA
  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "This Sinking Ship", "Above the City

Biography

Smoke or Fire is an emo-tinged post-hardcore band that occasionally shades into rootsier material along the lines of Wilco or Marah. The band originally formed in Boston in 1998, when western Massachusetts natives Joe McMahan (lead vocals and guitar) and Jeremy Cochran (guitar) met New Hampshire boys Ken Gurley (bass) and Nick Maggiore (drums) as students at Boston University. Originally calling themselves Jericho, the quartet released their debut album, When the Battery Dies, in 2000. Bailing out of the cramped and wicked-expensive city of Boston upon graduation, the quartet resettled in the mellower confines of Richmond, VA, and began work on their second album. When a long inactive Christian rock band from Australia, also called Jericho, complained about the young whippersnappers usurping their name, the boys politely amended it to Jericho RVA for the 2003 EP Worker's Union. Their press kit claims that at this point, the band ran into problems with a hostile band of conservative Christians over their new name, though it seems just as likely that they recognized its general lameness. Changing their name yet again to Smoke or Fire, the quartet signed to the Fat Wreck Chords label and released 2005's Above the City, produced by label head Fat Mike. After extensive touring in support of Above the City, Maggiore left the band for family reasons. He was replaced by ex-From Ashes Rise drummer David Atchison just prior to the sessions for their third full-length, produced by Chicago indie rock mainstay Matt Allison. The resulting This Sinking Ship appeared in February 2007. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Smoke or Fire
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Smoke Or Fire

Fest Five, October 2006. Photo by Brian Kelleher.
Background information
Also known as Jericho, Jericho RVA
Origin Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Genres Punk rock
Years active 1998–present
Labels Fat Wreck Chords
Members
Joe McMahon (singer/guitarist)
Jeremy Cochran (guitarist)
Dave Atchison (drummer)
Former members
Ken Gurley (bassist)
Nick Maggiore (original drummer)

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 boys 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 boys 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 Deep South Christian fanatics 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[1] 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.

External links


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