FEATURED BAND: AUTUMN FIRE

Formed in August 2006, with founding members Josh Brondou, Nate Keida (both formally of Intrinzik) Ryan Parr, and Josh Crossman all set and writing songs they started to throw around some names. With fall season being their favorite season, and “fall fire” not having that certain ring, they agreed on Autumn Fire. The boys chalk it up to being “country boys”, but in my opinion we all live in the country (unless you live in NYC).

So with the name tackled, and songs being born, they went on their search for a vocalist. So while ads out on Myspace and Craiglist, and Bandmix, they were hoping to snag a fish. Little did they know the fish they would snag would be Tool tribute band, Third Eye’s vocalist, Max Scialdone would answer the call. According to Max at that time he was desperately trying to reach them. When it was all said and done the line-up would be complete. Even with a fifteen thousand dollar loss of equipment a few months earlier due to their practice spot in Sauquoit burning to the ground. They began to get things rolling. Then Crossman broke his arm. With the first record all written, “Endless” this was a little bit of a setback for the boys . When asked how they composed the first album, the boys in the band explained to me that they all contributed to the writing process. With all the material based off of simple jamming out, a basis was created.  April of 2009 would be their first show at Rides in Herkimer, NY (which I happened to attend). Playing for a year before being able to afford to have a CD release partying 2010. While all this was happening they were inadvertently writing their second album. Both albums were recorded at Gecko Recording Studios in Clinton, NY, by Lyman Christenson and offered the same level of musicianship with just enough expansion to show growth. The boys were looking for a way to break big into the scene, they saw a outlet in the “Monster Energy Big Break” in December 2010. With a staggering 55 bands from all over the state of NY on the roster it seemed like a big bad “Monster” to overcome. There were 3 rounds of battling for the finals. Each round, to their surprise, they were called back eventually making it to the finals. The boys in Autumn Fire went on to win the battle, winning one thousand dollars in prize money and some recording time. Now that they had a fatter bank roll to deal with for the second album, they really started focusing on what kind of sound they wanted to achieve for album two. in July of 2011 they reentered the studio with Lyman, to start yet another album to be titled “Amends”. These guys spared nothing, they beat Lyman up, for a painstakingly true sound they were looking to acquire. While making their sophomore album, they played at the  Oneonta Theatre, and won a opening slot for The Blue Oyster Cult, also within that time opening for Filter there as well. In December of 2011 the “Amends” album was released. They contracted some help from locals friends to help with the album’s artwork and photos Matt Ossowski and Janelle Rodriguez. “Amends” CD release was held at the great Electric Company in Utica. Almost being a house band at that venue, playing the “Animal for Animal “ benefit there starting in 2009, and catching the ear of Anthony “Zee” Donaldson, it was a no brainier for them to have the showcase there. They give credit to Zee himself for making them a household name in the Utica area. As a group they decided it was time to branch out on a tour with local favorites, Shattered Envy and Just A Memory, to start in Virginia Beach and work their way back up the northeast, back home. The tour had some bumps in the road, as some of the shows fell through last minute, and Autumn Fire decided to try and make a name for themselves in Virginia. They decided to turn it into a vacation, and plays some venues beachside. With one show booked, they literally walked around and booked two more shows during the week, which in their eyes turned out to be awesome shows. One of the best shows they played that week was at Calypso’s, with a 4 hour set playing literally on the boardwalk. After the vacation they decided to do a battle at Monirae’s for a opening slot for the Boy Hits Car show being held there. Unbenounced they won the opening slot once again, for another national show under their belts. All of this has been done by a little local band from Utica, NY on their own, with no management, opening for almost a dozen national acts. Sometimes childhood friends and chance encounters can be a once in a lifetime thing, but for these guys it was that and a lot of hard work. For Autumn Fire, there next step is to introduce the world, to there intense power driven hard rock sound. If any of you haven’t seen this band play I would recommend giving them a listen. Look for Autumn Fire at a venue near you.

For more information about Autumn Fire-
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Autumn-Fire/143531240177?ref=ts&fref=ts-Fred Marriott