Fire From the Gods! Six guys from across the globe, calling Austin Texas home, is a refreshing mouthwatering answer to where music is going. Blending hip-hop, metal and hardcore, this band has already played with some amazing artists of an immense caliber, and they just keep getting stronger! Band members AJ Channer, Chris Mardis, Bonner Baker, Drew Walker,Jameson Teat, and Richard Wicander are Fire From the Gods and they are bringing vocals and riffs that will force you to take notice! We are very humbled and excited to have them tonight as our RockRevolt Indie Band of the Week!
They’ve JUST released the lyric video for their new single “Eat” which will be available for purchase on March 17th through all digital retailers, and they also just announced the dates of their upcoming headline run on Headbang For The Highway and Legator Guitars Presents: “The Alumni Tour.” (see below!) We sat down with the band and got deep into their business about what they are all about!
Wow! Fire From The Gods! Hitting the ground running from only a few years ago. What do you feel your sound is contributing to this new horizon in metal?
AJ: Not a totally new sound but a refreshing sound amongst so many bands that copy each other and sound exactly the same.
Where do you draw influences from to produce the music that you produce?
AJ: Personal experiences and the experiences of others around me. I’ve been through so much that I have material for days! (laughs)
Your members are from across the globe. How did you meet?
AJ: Well, Fire From The Gods has existed for five years plus but the current lineup came together believe it or not via the Headbang Program which is nation wide so it gives artist from all over over the country a platform to meet. From that a band like the current FFTG has to come to pass.
With diverse backgrounds culturally, what benefit do you feel this has contributed to your songwriting?
AJ: It allows us as artists to listen to a whole new perspective on heavy music. And it just creates a pretty cool dynamic when performing these tracks.
On the flipside, what challenges has this brought, if any?
AJ: Not too many challenges at all! It only makes us unique in the sense that we can stand a pretty apart from what else else is out there.
You all have toured with some LEGENDARY bands. Which bands do you feel you’ve learned the most from, and what band would you give your right arm to tour with?
Chris: I would not say toured with , but yes we have played with some bands that I would have never thought in a lifetime I would have the privilege of playing with! And if I had to give my right arm to tour with it would probably be “SLIPKNOT”
You JUST released the lyric video for their new single “Eat”. What has the feedback been?
Chris: It’s been really good! Of course you will always have your internet warriors who like put their comments on it. But were not worried about what people have to say. We just want to make music and be successful doing it!
Fire From The Gods – EAT (Official Lyric Video)
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What’s the story behind “Eat”?
AJ: “Eat” was a track that was written before Chris and I joined the band. It had not been previously released nor performed. With that being said, we as a band can relate to the song 100%. We all come from humble modest beginnings and everything we’ve got we have to fight tooth and nail for. You will never get to where you want to be in life if you don’t put that work in. If you don’t grind. We all have 2nd jobs. I fly from NYC to texas to tour and record with the band. Bonner is building a house from scratch whilst working two jobs and maintaining a full time band. That type of spirit and drive is common trait shared by the members of FFTG. That is the full embodiment and definition of trying to “Eat” Not letting your circumstances dictate your drive to succeed. We’re out here on our grind trying to “Eat”.
Why go with a lyric video vs. a regular video?
AJ: With our type of music, I feel a lot of people don’t want to listen because they can’t understand what a screamer is saying!
Chris: I feel like a lyric video allows people to read the lyrics and get whatever type of message we are trying to tell in our music. It’s a great way to show people that what we are saying is not always negative or distasteful.
Can we look forward to more videos, and if so, what is coming up next?
Chris: We will have some brand new music. We just got done recording in the studio with our boy Robby Joyner of Black Book Sound. The guy is incredible and a lot of fun to work with! I see new music dropping and a brand new music video in future and back out on the road for the summer!
You’ll be on a headline run on Headbang For The Highway “The Alumni Tour” coming up shortly. How did you get involved with this project?
Bonner: We initially played on one of the Headbang bills with no expectations to win the event. Actually I don’t think we even won that competition! (laughs). The program however is great and really only pushes bands to be better.
In reading about this tour, it seems like an amazing opportunity for unsigned artists to connect to industry professionals. What are your expectations from this tour?
AJ: We are looking for the next step. Share our craft with the world. We have new music coming and can’t wait to play it!
Being a headliner, what words of wisdom do you have for upcoming bands on this tour?
AJ: Keep working! We are just like you guys. We are all in it together!
Bonner: Play as many shows as you can and tour. Also, when your home work your ass off so you can go back on tour.
What words of wisdom do you have for up and coming bands in general?
Chris: Stay humble! Never let anybody tell you no! And don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! Be willing to take risks that will benefit your band!
Thank you so much for your time and we can’t wait to see you out and about!
AJ: Cheers guys and thank thank you for checking us out.
Connect with FIRE FROM THE GODS! (click on the icons):
Headbang for the Highway and the Sound of Robots Fighting Presents: The Alumni Tour
March 21 – Grand Prarie, TX @ South By So What!?
March 22 – Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog
March 23 – Panama City, FL @ A&M Theater
March 24 – Panama City, FL @ A&M Theater
March 25 – Greensboro, NC @ Green Street Music Hall
March 26 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Shakas
March 27 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Shakas
March 28 – Baltimore, MD @ Fish Head Cantina
March 29 – Reading, PA @ Reverb
March 31 – Providence, RI @ DV8
April 01 – Providence, RI @ DV8
April 02 – Amityville, NY @ Amityville Music Hall
April 03 – Trenton, NJ @Championship Bar
April 04 – Trenton, NJ @Championship Bar
April 08 – Rochester, NY @ The California Brew Haus
April 09 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Asylum
April 10 – Cleveland, OH @ The Foundary
April 11 – Newport, KY @ The Thompson House
April 12 – Saint Louis, MO @ Mad Magician
April 15 – Fort Worth, TX @ Tomcatz
