|
biography
Few modern hardcore bands have fused a deep-rooted political consciousness with a passion for their musical art like Boy Sets Fire.
One would be hard pressed to name a more sincerely socially aware band than this Delaware outfit.
Driven by the unrelenting burden of their unique socio-political perspective and an urgent need to communicate to a wide audience through the heavy/melodic hardcore medium, Boy Sets Fire have promoted discussion, debate, and dialogue like few bands before them.
Emotionally charged, heartfelt and honest, Boy Sets Fire mix aggression and thought provoking ideas into a positive blend of melody and abrasive music.
There are plenty of bands out there that never tell us why they're so pissed off.
Boy Sets Fire let us know exactly what they're angry about, point-by-point.
"We have a good mix of politics - social and global," says drummer Matt Krupanski.
"We incorporate that through our music and lyrics.
In our live shows, we put those things hand in hand.
We play our songs, but we also talk a lot during our sets.
We try to establish a solid line of communication between the audience and band about our beliefs."
Boy Sets Fire quickly became popular around the country after the release of a self-financed single and a raw but groundbreaking split LP w/Jazz Man's Needle.
These two releases set the stage for what would develop the band's reputation: thick, abrasive guitars balanced by sometimes soft rhythms and a vocal style that varies between screamed and sung.
Consider (1995), The Day The Sun Went Out (1996) and In Chrysalis (1998) have defined the Boy Sets Fire sound.
These releases are marked by biting political commentary, and perhaps the most emotive hardcore ever.
Boy Sets Fire has built a strong reputation as a hard working live act.
They've toured the U.S. and Europe non-stop, including stints with Sick Of It All, Avail and Snapcase.
The addition of bassist Rob Avery has given Boy Sets Fire more energy than ever, with Chad Istvan and Josh Latshaw providing the unique dual guitar interplay, adding the little dash of metal that bridges the hardcore and emo styles together.
Fronting this powerhouse is arguably one of the most gifted singers of his generation, Nathan Gray.
Nathan is a born singer and has a voice that sounds like no other.
In addition, Nathan writes coherent, compelling lyrics delivered with ease as he shifts between smooth singing, shouting, and the primal scream that is hardcore de rigueur.
Boy Sets Fire manage to find their own sound while wearing their diverse punk and hardcore influences on their sleeves, rivaling genre-defining records by bands like Fugazi and Avail while still retaining a youthful edge and sincerity.
In 2000 Boy Sets Fire released After The Eulogy on Victory Records.
It was a huge step forward for the band and is by far their most mature and diverse record.
After The Eulogy is being re-issued Summer 2001 by the band's new label, Wind-up.
This new version includes a bonus track, "Timothy," taken from the After The Eulogy sessions.
band bio taken from BoySetsFire.com
|