May 25, 2005
FIREFEST INTERVIEWS
On May 6th & 7th Fireworks hosted FIREFEST for the melodicrock community. There was a lot of buzz and excitement building up to this event and from the line-up of bands on the schedule it was guaranteed to be a true Rockfest. I decided to touch base with Bruce Mee and some of the bands to get their feedback about all of the fun and what’s next on the horizon.
Be sure to check out the Gallery for some photos taken of some of the featured bands that were definitely on fire at FIREFEST!
FIREWORKS: Bruce Mee
1. FIREFEST is something you worked very hard to pull together and make happen. So to start out, looking back at the events ... What are your thoughts as a whole of the FEST and what was your favorite parts?
As usual in these situations, I'm very busy on the day so don't get as much time to hang out and chat with the artists or my friends in the audience. The festival went very well, and everything went very smoothly, for the most part. Didn't really have a favourite part as such, but totally enjoyed Million, Pink Cream 69 and TNT. Firehouse were also fantastic, and much better than when I saw them last year. I didn't see the Pride set as I was handing out the free CDs, but they were excellent the previous night, as were House of Shakira. I thought Legs Diamond were much better than expected, especially with their new vocalist who performed brilliantly. And even Dare, who I thought at previous shows had been rather subdued, gave a commanding performance. Soul Sirkus started brilliantly, but kinda lost it for me during the solos section. But others seemed to really dig these performances. I guess my one outstanding musical experience would actually have been on the Friday night, when House of Shakira ended their set with 'Stone in Love' and 'Any Way You Want It' and the crowd went absolutely wild! My two worst memories would be the state that the T&C have allowed the once gorgeous toilets to get into, and the excrutiating wait for Soul Sirkus to come on - Watching people leave before curtain up.
2. As far as the turn-out and fan attendance - Did the show meet or exceed your expectations? Would you say that the fans and musicians had a good chance to let loose and enjoy themselves?
Turn-out was lower than expected, which was a shame. I really thought this line-up would have generated a better response, but for the many who did attend, I am sure they had a real blast. Feed back from musicians was very positive, with some saying it had been the best they'd been looked after at a Festival, as it showed we really cared about them and the music. Which is very true.
3. What would you describe as your number one memory from FIREFEST?
Biggest disappointment would be TNT not getting to play their encore due to a mix-up with production team (it was NOT deliberate). I had waited all day for 'Seven Seas', and CJ from Firehouse was going to join in for 'Everyone's a Star'. A real shame, especially as the set was being videoed for DVD release. Another bad memory was getting home after the Fest and discovering the sound on my new digital camcorder was unlistenable, after spending the day recording the whole show! But lesson learned, and expensive external microphone now bought. But overall, it was a GREAT day which just seemed to fly past sooooooooo very quickly.
4. From what I've heard from attendees it sounds like this FEST was a huge success. What are your plans for future events?
Watch this space for an announcement in the VERY near future.
TNT: Tony Harnell
1. What were some of the highlights from FIREFEST for you as a performer? And as an observer?
Great venue, pretty good audience, though I think they were pretty tired by the end:)
2. Did you have a chance to interact with many fans? What were some of the things you heard both from new and prior fans?
Yes, some. We were kind of in and out pretty fast and had to rush off to a gig the next night.
3. What would you describe as your number one memory from FIREFEST?
Probably meeting Neal Schon and Andrew McNiece.
4. Now that FIREFEST is wrapped up until the next time what are your plans in the meantime? What can we hope to see from you in the coming months?
A Starbreaker tour and a new TNT album!
FIREHOUSE: Bill Leverty
1. What were some of the highlights from FIREFEST for you as a performer? And as an observer?
Sharing the stage with so many great artists is always such an honor, but getting to play a gig with TNT was probably the highlight of the trip for me. We met Tony Harnell in '92 while we were on tour with Tesla and he was such a cool guy. He came into our dressing room and hung out for a while and is the same great human being. The new TNT album is fantastic and the band sounded incredible.
2. Did you have a chance to interact with many fans? What were some of the things you heard both from new and prior fans?
We did a meet and greet after our set out in the audience and we got a very warm response. Many people told us that it was the first time they had seen us and they really enjoyed the set. That is the reason we did this gig because we could play in front of some people who might not be familiar with our band.
3. What would you describe as your number one memory from FIREFEST?
Hanging out with Ronnie LeTekro after his set. He's such a funny guy.
4. Now that FIREFEST is wrapped up until the next time what are your plans in the meantime?
What can we hope to see from you in the coming months? We're on tour with Cinderella, Ratt, and Quiet Riot all summer ... Should be a blast!
HOUSE OF SHAKIRA: Per Schelander
1. What were some of the highlights from FIREFEST for you as a performer? And as an observer?
Highlight in performing was definitely that we nailed a good show for the upcoming DVD! The show was recorded for a forthcoming DVD that will hit the stores this autumn. As an observer I enjoyed (read loved) TNT! They have been one of my faves since my teenage years and to finally see them and chat with Tony and Ronni was awesome! I knew that Ronni was a good player but I didn't know that he was such a good performer and entertainer. You became happy just to see him onstage!
2. Did you have a chance to interact with many fans? What were some of the things you heard both from new and prior fans?
Yes and it was nice both meeting some new fans and some that I already knew. Hey, I met people traveling all the way from Spain to see this show.
3. What would you describe as your number one memory from FIREFEST?
The good memories ... Seeing TNT! The bad memories ... We almost started a riot in Bradford on the pre-party. We used the intro from LINT and that wasn't a very smart move. The club is in a block where there lives lots of people from Pakistan. Just when the intro started the doors to the club where open, just to get some air in there. So...The intro sours out in this block and as you may know it's the voice from a minaret...So these people from Pakistan got very upset that we used this and I understand why, because they don't know if we are pulling their leg or not. They just hear something important from their religion played in a club where there is only a bunch of rockers. We won't use it again...
4. Now that FIREFEST is wrapped up until the next time what are your plans in the meantime?
What can we hope to see from you in the coming months? Well as I said we will put out a DVD so we will be busy working with the extra material during the spring and summer. We will also support Soul SirkUS on their shows in Sweden which will be very cool. We don't play in Sweden that often and Soul SirkUs is a great band so it will be a blast.
LEGS DIAMOND: Michael Prince
1. What were some of the highlights from FIREFEST for you as a performer? And as an observer?
Getting to play our music in front of so many great fans and feeling the energy of the crowd from the stage to the back of the hall helped make this show one of our favorites ever. Firefest was well organized and the people involved where great to deal with on all levels.
2. Did you have a chance to interact with many fans? What were some of the things you heard both from new and prior fans?
Yes, all of us at some point went out into the crowd. The diehard Legs fans where blown away with the new singer, John and the band's ability to kick so much ass after all these years. We spoke to some attendees who had never heard of the band who said, after our set, we were their new favorite band. The compliments we got were inspiring and very much appreciated.
3. What would you describe as your number one memory from FIREFEST?
We, 'Legs Diamond', LOVE to play live. That is our passion!! So, getting to do this and have the best fan response imaginable will forever stick in our minds.
4. Now that FIREFEST is wrapped up until the next time what are your plans in the meantime? What can we hope to see from you in the coming months?
We start this week rehearsing songs for our new CD which will be out this fall. The songs are all written and we hit the studio in 3 weeks, mid June. We are planning to come back to Europe this fall for some more shows, so stay tuned!!
PINK CREAM 69: David Readman
1. What were some of the highlights from FIREFEST for you as a performer? And as an observer?
For me it had to be playing in front of a British audience. It’s been 10 years since I last played in the UK!!! I caught a bit of Soul Sirkus they were great!
2. Did you have a chance to interact with many fans? What were some of the things you heard both from new and prior fans?
Yes I walked around for a long time after the show, and met many fans. They all seemed happy and most were glad that we had finally played in the UK. I also singed lots of CD's and they took many photos.
3. What would you describe as your number one memory from FIREFEST?
The fact that my Family were there, it was the first time with PC69!!
4. Now that FIREFEST is wrapped up until the next time what are your plans in the meantime? What can we hope to see from you in the coming months?
Well at the moment we’re working on our new record, and in a week we are off to Italy. So lots to do!! I hope that there will be more gigs to come in the UK!
SOUL SIRKUS: Jeff Scott Soto
1. What were some of the highlights from FIREFEST for you as a performer? And as an observer?
The excitement & energy of the crowd for our debut European performance… Didn't really see any bands as there weren't any I was really interested in although I thought TNT were great.
2. Did you have a chance to interact with many fans? What were some of the things you heard both from new and prior fans?
Not too much, we were hanging with each other & our label most of the afternoon/evening. By the time we were done, the place cleared out completely so we could only get feedback online.
3. What would you describe as your number one memory from FIREFEST?
Having 1 the next morning instead of a massive hangover!
4. Now that FIREFEST is wrapped up until the next time what are your plans in the meantime?
What can we hope to see from you in the coming months? Touring, recording, touring, recording…repeat!
Posted by Kathy at May 25, 2005 02:25 AM