Fireball Ministry
Encyclopedia
Fireball Ministry is an American
heavy metal
band from Los Angeles
, California
formed in 1999.
before settling in Los Angeles
. In 2000 they performed at the two-day "November Dismember" metal-music festival in San Bernardino
California, playing on the second day. The festival was situated at the National Orange Show fairgrounds in two hangars.
After several years appearing with various big name bands in the genre (Danzig
, Anthrax
, Motörhead, Slayer
) but without a breakthrough in album sales they have polished their own sound to continue gaining a wider following. The tracks "King" and "Flatline" appeared in the big wave surfing documentary Billabong Odyssey (2003). The track "King" was also selected by Bam Margera
and appeared on his Viva La Bands
compilation. The band teamed up with Bam's brother Jess Margera
when they toured Europe with CKY
in 2004. In addition, the track "The Broken" was included in the World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE) video game WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006
for the Sony
PlayStation 2
.
The band went through four different bass players, starting with Helen Storer, who played on the Ou Est La Rock?
CD and was replaced by Fu Manchu
bassist Brad Davis on FMEP
, who was himself replaced by former L7
bass player Janis Tanaka on The Second Great Awakening
. Former Systematic 4-stringer Johny Chow then took the place of Tanaka for the Their Rock Is Not Our Rock
album, which was recorded at Dave Grohl
's 606 West studio and like their previous works was produced by genre legend Nick Raskulinecz. In another connection helped by Margera they supported CKY
on their 2005 Adio
Footwear-sponsored tour, having already opened for them on their UK Tour in 2004. Original drummer John Oreshnick took a leave of absence due to family issues in the Fall of 2006 to be replaced by Yael during their recent tour. Yael and Johny Chow were former bandmates in My Ruin. Yael subsequently left the band in Winter 2006, and Oreshnick rejoined.
Rota considered becoming an ordained minister, but was persuaded not to on account of possible legal and taxation issues. However, he did eventually become ordained and performed wedding ceremonies for Matt Deis
of CKY
and Erica Beckmann in November 2005, and Bam Margera
and Melissa Rothstein in February 2007.
In an interview for blabbermouth.net in May 2007, James Rota stated that "we (Fireball Ministry) are in the stages of writing a new album". In the same Interview, Rota also referred to what would later become The Company Band
EP, Sign Here, Here and Here
. On the 14th of June 2008, Rota stated that 3 tracks have been recorded for the as yet unnamed fifth Fireball Ministry album, and is also working on a full length Company Band Album and a third, unspecified project to be announced by the end of 2008. However, the present status of these is somewhat uncertain, as Johny Chow is presently on tour playing bass guitar
with Cavalera Conspiracy
and Soulfly
.
, with "ministry" in their name, the albums The Second Great Awakening, and Their Rock Is Not Our Rock
, a reference to Deuteronomy
32:31. MTV.com described the band's music as having "a musical chemistry between the members... that makes their songs buzz with warmth".
Emily Burton – Guitar
John Oreshnick – Drums
Johny Chow – Bass
Brad Davis – Bass (2001–2002)
Janis Tanaka
– Bass (2002–2004)
Yael – Drums (2006)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
formed in 1999.
Biography
Conceived in Cincinnati in the late '90s by James A. Rota II and Emily Burton, the band moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
before settling in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. In 2000 they performed at the two-day "November Dismember" metal-music festival in San Bernardino
San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California is a large city in the Inland Empire Metropolitan Area of Southern California.San Bernardino may also refer to:-Landforms:*San Bernardino , a torrent that flows through the Italian province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola...
California, playing on the second day. The festival was situated at the National Orange Show fairgrounds in two hangars.
After several years appearing with various big name bands in the genre (Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
, Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, Motörhead, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
) but without a breakthrough in album sales they have polished their own sound to continue gaining a wider following. The tracks "King" and "Flatline" appeared in the big wave surfing documentary Billabong Odyssey (2003). The track "King" was also selected by Bam Margera
Bam Margera
Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera is an American professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, actor and daredevil. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into MTV's Jackass crew...
and appeared on his Viva La Bands
Viva la Bands
Viva La Bands is a series of CDs compiled by skater/Jackass alumnus Bam Margera, featuring songs from some of his favorite bands. It was released on June 21, 2005...
compilation. The band teamed up with Bam's brother Jess Margera
Jess Margera
Jesse Phillip Margera is the drummer in the band CKY, its predecessor Oil and Foreign Objects, Viking Skull, and The Company Band.-Life and career:...
when they toured Europe with CKY
CKY (band)
CKY is an American alternative metal band that formed in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1998. Centred around core members Deron Miller , Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera , the band shares its name with a skateboarding and stunt video series produced by Bam Margera, brother of drummer Jess...
in 2004. In addition, the track "The Broken" was included in the World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE) video game WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006
WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 , is a professional wrestling video game released on the PlayStation 2 console and the PlayStation Portable handheld console by THQ and developed by Yuke's. It is part of the WWE SmackDown vs...
for the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
.
The band went through four different bass players, starting with Helen Storer, who played on the Ou Est La Rock?
Ou Est La Rock?
Ou est la Rock? was released by then Cincinnati-based Fireball Ministry in 1999 on independent label "Bongload Records"...
CD and was replaced by Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu (band)
Fu Manchu is a Southern Californian stoner rock band, who released their debut single "Kept Between Trees" in 1990. They have been featured on compilations put together by Tony Hawk and ESPN's X Games, and invited to perform on the US television program Monster Garage...
bassist Brad Davis on FMEP
FMEP
Fireball Ministry released FMEP, prior to their second full release The Second Great Awakening. The first three tracks appear on that release. The remaining songs are covers. "Muscle Of Love" was originally performed by Alice Cooper, "Victim Of Changes" was originally performed by Judas Priest....
, who was himself replaced by former L7
L7 (band)
L7 was an American rock band from Los Angeles, that was active from 1985 to 2000. Due to their sound and image, they are often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.-History:...
bass player Janis Tanaka on The Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening is an album by Fireball Ministry. It was released on October 7, 2003 on Nuclear Blast.-Track listing:#"The Second Great Awakening" – 1:16#"King" – 4:32#"The Sinner" – 3:27#"Master Of None" – 3:47...
. Former Systematic 4-stringer Johny Chow then took the place of Tanaka for the Their Rock Is Not Our Rock
Their Rock Is Not Our Rock
Their Rock Is Not Our Rock is the third album by stoner rock band Fireball Ministry, released by Liquor And Poker Music in 2005. The album features "The Broken" song, which is widely recognized for its use in WWE SmackDown vs...
album, which was recorded at Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
's 606 West studio and like their previous works was produced by genre legend Nick Raskulinecz. In another connection helped by Margera they supported CKY
CKY (band)
CKY is an American alternative metal band that formed in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1998. Centred around core members Deron Miller , Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera , the band shares its name with a skateboarding and stunt video series produced by Bam Margera, brother of drummer Jess...
on their 2005 Adio
Adio
Adio Footwear is a skateboarding footwear and clothing company, founded by skater Chris Miller in 1999. It was later acquired by K2, based in Carlsbad, California. K2 was acquired by the Jarden Corporation in 2007....
Footwear-sponsored tour, having already opened for them on their UK Tour in 2004. Original drummer John Oreshnick took a leave of absence due to family issues in the Fall of 2006 to be replaced by Yael during their recent tour. Yael and Johny Chow were former bandmates in My Ruin. Yael subsequently left the band in Winter 2006, and Oreshnick rejoined.
Rota considered becoming an ordained minister, but was persuaded not to on account of possible legal and taxation issues. However, he did eventually become ordained and performed wedding ceremonies for Matt Deis
Matt Deis
Matthew Christopher "Matt" Deis is an American musician and songwriter. Originally from Peterborough, New Hampshire, he is best known as the former bassist of CKY with whom he performed with between 2005 and 2010, and metalcore band All That Remains, with whom he performed between 2003 and...
of CKY
CKY (band)
CKY is an American alternative metal band that formed in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1998. Centred around core members Deron Miller , Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera , the band shares its name with a skateboarding and stunt video series produced by Bam Margera, brother of drummer Jess...
and Erica Beckmann in November 2005, and Bam Margera
Bam Margera
Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera is an American professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, actor and daredevil. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into MTV's Jackass crew...
and Melissa Rothstein in February 2007.
In an interview for blabbermouth.net in May 2007, James Rota stated that "we (Fireball Ministry) are in the stages of writing a new album". In the same Interview, Rota also referred to what would later become The Company Band
The Company Band
The Company Band is a rock supergroup featuring Clutch frontman Neil Fallon, Fireball Ministry frontman James Rota, CKY drummer Jess Margera, Guitarist Dave Bone, and Fu Manchu bassist Brad Davis.-Formation And Sign Here, Here and Here:...
EP, Sign Here, Here and Here
Sign Here, Here and Here
-Personnel:* Neil Fallon – Lead Vocals* James Rota – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals* Jess Margera – Drums* Dave Bone – Guitar* Jason Diamond – Bass...
. On the 14th of June 2008, Rota stated that 3 tracks have been recorded for the as yet unnamed fifth Fireball Ministry album, and is also working on a full length Company Band Album and a third, unspecified project to be announced by the end of 2008. However, the present status of these is somewhat uncertain, as Johny Chow is presently on tour playing bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
with Cavalera Conspiracy
Cavalera Conspiracy
Cavalera Conspiracy is a Brazilian heavy metal band founded by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera , along with American guitarist and bassist Marc Rizzo and Johny Chow. The band originally formed in 2007 as Inflikted but changed its name for legal reasons...
and Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
.
Inspiration
The band's imagery draws heavily from ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, with "ministry" in their name, the albums The Second Great Awakening, and Their Rock Is Not Our Rock
Their Rock Is Not Our Rock
Their Rock Is Not Our Rock is the third album by stoner rock band Fireball Ministry, released by Liquor And Poker Music in 2005. The album features "The Broken" song, which is widely recognized for its use in WWE SmackDown vs...
, a reference to Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, and of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch...
32:31. MTV.com described the band's music as having "a musical chemistry between the members... that makes their songs buzz with warmth".
Current members
James A. Rota II – Guitar/VocalsEmily Burton – Guitar
John Oreshnick – Drums
Johny Chow – Bass
Former members
Helen Storer – Bass, founding member (1999–2001)Brad Davis – Bass (2001–2002)
Janis Tanaka
Janis Tanaka
Janis Tanaka is a bass player who has worked as a session musician and on tour with a number of well-known artists including Pink, Fireball Ministry, Hammers of Misfortune, Pagan Babies, Stone Fox and L7....
– Bass (2002–2004)
Yael – Drums (2006)
Studio albums
- Ou Est La Rock?Ou Est La Rock?Ou est la Rock? was released by then Cincinnati-based Fireball Ministry in 1999 on independent label "Bongload Records"...
(August 16, 1999) - FMEPFMEPFireball Ministry released FMEP, prior to their second full release The Second Great Awakening. The first three tracks appear on that release. The remaining songs are covers. "Muscle Of Love" was originally performed by Alice Cooper, "Victim Of Changes" was originally performed by Judas Priest....
(May 15, 2001) - The Second Great Awakening (album) (October 7, 2003)
- Their Rock Is Not Our RockTheir Rock Is Not Our RockTheir Rock Is Not Our Rock is the third album by stoner rock band Fireball Ministry, released by Liquor And Poker Music in 2005. The album features "The Broken" song, which is widely recognized for its use in WWE SmackDown vs...
(October 18, 2005) - Fireball Ministry (March 16, 2010)
Compilations
- Right In The Nuts: A Tribute to AerosmithRight In The NutsRight in the Nuts is a tribute album featuring various stoner rock bands covering Aerosmith songs. The title refers to the 1979 Night in the Ruts album by that band.-Disc: 1:# "Movin Out" - Fireball Ministry 4:27# "Make It" - Altamont 3:49...
(July 10, 2000) Small Stone RecordsSmall Stone RecordsSmall Stone Records is an American record label based in Detroit, MI. It was founded in 1995 by Scott Hamilton and is a self-dubbed "heavy rock" label... - Bam Margera presents: Viva La BandsViva la BandsViva La Bands is a series of CDs compiled by skater/Jackass alumnus Bam Margera, featuring songs from some of his favorite bands. It was released on June 21, 2005...
(June 21, 2005) 456 Entertainment