Fire Zuave
Encyclopedia
Fire Zuave is an American
indie rock
band formed in 2007 in West Palm Beach, Florida
.
Chuck Andrews, formerly of Cleveland-based Americana band Qwasi Qwa, relocated to South Florida in 2004. There, he began performing as a solo artist. Soon thereafter, Chuck met Chris Cartrett, formerly of Doorway27, and both decided to join forces as The Guns. By late 2007, the band was already opening for international acts such as the Black Crowes, and recording their first album Sand Fastened
. Around the same time, they changed their name to fire Zuave. In mid 2008, drummer Jason Hermes left the band and was replaced by drummer Jason Fusco.
In support of their first album, fire Zuave began touring in 2008. Their Athens, GA, performance included Disney Herpes, a one-off skit show created by David Barnes
and Kevin Barnes
, with the help of Josh Skinner. In December 2008, the band opened for of Montreal and the Fiery Furnaces
during a handful of dates across Florida. The band has subsequently opened for of Montreal
in 2009 and 2010.
Sand Fastened
was released in May 2008 to generally favorable reviews. It also granted the band the Artist of the Week spot on the Indie Face Of Music blog. On April 7, 2009, the band's second album, Oscillation Isolator
was released independently. David Barnes
is credited with Sand Fastened and also contributes, along with Nina Barnes, to the Oscillation Isolator artwork.
In 2009, Chuck Andrews and Jason Fusco relocated to Athens, Georgia
, and Chris Cartrett departed from the band. In July 2009, Pete Alvanos, aka Fabulous Bird, joined the band and they began work on their third album. The band's first music video, "Colors of the Sun", was voted into the semi-finals for the 2009 Babelgum Music Video Awards. Fire Zuave was featured by Polyvinyl Records at the 2010 SXSW music festival.
, shows a mix of alternative country, acoustic and indie rock, ranging from fast-paced power pop
numbers, such as opening track "Starving Like A Pack Of Wolves" or "Translated Dragon" to mellower, acoustic-tinged ballads, such as "Colors Of The Sun" or "Emily." Oscillation Isolator
has a more psychedelic folk rock influence, though the alternative country influence is still apparent.
Despite the involvement of Of Montreal
's Kevin Barnes
in band recordings, Fire Zuave's music bears little resemblance to of Montreal's, yet like of Montreal, the band continues to evolve in style. During their stage show masked actors climb around the stage, and avant garde sculptures create a more theatrical and psychedelic atmosphere, similar to of Montreal. Their use of ping pong balls in the band's promotion is widely documented.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band formed in 2007 in West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
.
History
Sand Fastened
Sand Fastened is the debut album by fire Zuave. Released in 2008, the album features artwork by David Barnes, an artist most known for his contributions to of Montreal album covers.-Track listing:# "Starving Like a Pack of Wolves"# "Way We Were Before"...
. Around the same time, they changed their name to fire Zuave. In mid 2008, drummer Jason Hermes left the band and was replaced by drummer Jason Fusco.
In support of their first album, fire Zuave began touring in 2008. Their Athens, GA, performance included Disney Herpes, a one-off skit show created by David Barnes
David Barnes (artist)
David Barnes is an artist, performer, and comedian best known for being the art director for his brother Kevin's indie pop band, of Montreal...
and Kevin Barnes
Kevin Barnes
Kevin L. Barnes is the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter for the indie rock group Of Montreal, part of the Elephant 6 Collective. Barnes started the band on his own and, although providing several stories as to the origin of the name, is said to have named it after a failed romance...
, with the help of Josh Skinner. In December 2008, the band opened for of Montreal and the Fiery Furnaces
The Fiery Furnaces
The Fiery Furnaces are a U.S. indie rock band formed in 2000 in Brooklyn, New York. The band's primary members are Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger. The siblings are originally from Oak Park, Illinois, a near-western suburb of Chicago.- Band biography :...
during a handful of dates across Florida. The band has subsequently opened for of Montreal
Of Montreal
Of Montreal is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. It was founded by frontman Kevin Barnes in 1996, named after a failed romance with a woman "of Montreal." The band is one of the bands of the Elephant 6 collective...
in 2009 and 2010.
Sand Fastened
Sand Fastened
Sand Fastened is the debut album by fire Zuave. Released in 2008, the album features artwork by David Barnes, an artist most known for his contributions to of Montreal album covers.-Track listing:# "Starving Like a Pack of Wolves"# "Way We Were Before"...
was released in May 2008 to generally favorable reviews. It also granted the band the Artist of the Week spot on the Indie Face Of Music blog. On April 7, 2009, the band's second album, Oscillation Isolator
Oscillation Isolator
Oscillation Isolator is the second album by fire Zuave. Released in 2009, fire Zuave continues to feature cover artwork by David Barnes.-Track listing:# "August Air"# "Down By the Sea"# "Harmonica"# "Orchid"# "Prison Break"# "Trailor Theme"...
was released independently. David Barnes
David Barnes (artist)
David Barnes is an artist, performer, and comedian best known for being the art director for his brother Kevin's indie pop band, of Montreal...
is credited with Sand Fastened and also contributes, along with Nina Barnes, to the Oscillation Isolator artwork.
In 2009, Chuck Andrews and Jason Fusco relocated to Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, and Chris Cartrett departed from the band. In July 2009, Pete Alvanos, aka Fabulous Bird, joined the band and they began work on their third album. The band's first music video, "Colors of the Sun", was voted into the semi-finals for the 2009 Babelgum Music Video Awards. Fire Zuave was featured by Polyvinyl Records at the 2010 SXSW music festival.
Style
The band's first album, Sand FastenedSand Fastened
Sand Fastened is the debut album by fire Zuave. Released in 2008, the album features artwork by David Barnes, an artist most known for his contributions to of Montreal album covers.-Track listing:# "Starving Like a Pack of Wolves"# "Way We Were Before"...
, shows a mix of alternative country, acoustic and indie rock, ranging from fast-paced power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
numbers, such as opening track "Starving Like A Pack Of Wolves" or "Translated Dragon" to mellower, acoustic-tinged ballads, such as "Colors Of The Sun" or "Emily." Oscillation Isolator
Oscillation Isolator
Oscillation Isolator is the second album by fire Zuave. Released in 2009, fire Zuave continues to feature cover artwork by David Barnes.-Track listing:# "August Air"# "Down By the Sea"# "Harmonica"# "Orchid"# "Prison Break"# "Trailor Theme"...
has a more psychedelic folk rock influence, though the alternative country influence is still apparent.
Despite the involvement of Of Montreal
Of Montreal
Of Montreal is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. It was founded by frontman Kevin Barnes in 1996, named after a failed romance with a woman "of Montreal." The band is one of the bands of the Elephant 6 collective...
's Kevin Barnes
Kevin Barnes
Kevin L. Barnes is the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter for the indie rock group Of Montreal, part of the Elephant 6 Collective. Barnes started the band on his own and, although providing several stories as to the origin of the name, is said to have named it after a failed romance...
in band recordings, Fire Zuave's music bears little resemblance to of Montreal's, yet like of Montreal, the band continues to evolve in style. During their stage show masked actors climb around the stage, and avant garde sculptures create a more theatrical and psychedelic atmosphere, similar to of Montreal. Their use of ping pong balls in the band's promotion is widely documented.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Sand Fastened Sand Fastened Sand Fastened is the debut album by fire Zuave. Released in 2008, the album features artwork by David Barnes, an artist most known for his contributions to of Montreal album covers.-Track listing:# "Starving Like a Pack of Wolves"# "Way We Were Before"...
|
| 2009 | Oscillation Isolator Oscillation Isolator Oscillation Isolator is the second album by fire Zuave. Released in 2009, fire Zuave continues to feature cover artwork by David Barnes.-Track listing:# "August Air"# "Down By the Sea"# "Harmonica"# "Orchid"# "Prison Break"# "Trailor Theme"... |
Demon Baby
|
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Colors of the Sun" | Diana Lang |