Album Notes

The Fire and Reason

“Can you picture PJ Harvey’s younger sister kicking electroclash back towards glam with big stompy boots while waving a chainsaw?” Warren Ellis (Musical connaisseur, writer of comic books and graphic novels: X-men, The Authority, Hellblazer)

These words heralded the arrival of a new sound, and force in the public’s consciousness. The Fire and Reason was birthed by two music aficionados, unhappy with the current state of musical affairs who sought to create their own unique sound and vision. Bella Saona and Steve Narvaez both left other music projects and careers behind to focus their attention full time on what would become The Fire and Reason (TFaR) in Januray of 2005.

Bella the former model, and performing arts school graduate, and Steve the ex- rocktronic-metal frontman mashed up their ideals to come up with something that excited them and was sadly missing from music. Steve brought the beats, and angular riffs, spliced with Bella’s evocative vocals and macabre lyrics the template for TFaR was set.

The now pre-requisite Myspace page was launched and the feedback was instantaneous. People loved it. All over the world, and they wanted more. Armed with only 5 songs the duo ventured into the live arena and realized their vision was not yet complete. Those first few songs (Death Parade, Her Evil, Teeth, and Japanese.Love.Kill) although composed as a two piece screamed for a full manifestation live!

Enter drummer Chris Bielfeldt. Chicago transplant, left behind all he knew as well as a band of 3 years to try his luck in New York City. He is found via the afformentioned Myspace page and is the perfect fit. His first show with The Fire and Reason is at a fetish ball in Philadelphia were all in attendance, as well as performers must wear masks ala Eyes Wide Shut.

Still one puzzle piece missing. Bassist Thomas Buchmueller. This self proclaimed life artist, also recently arrived from Munich Germany stumbles upon the trio at NYC’s premiere Goth night Albion. He knows it must be fate as he is entranced, along with the rest of the packed house that night, by the bands intense live show. He knows he must be part of this. Met with some resistance at first Thomas perseveres and is initiated into the Death Parade.

It is now August 2005, the band is in place and the industry begins to notice. First, the one month old live band is selected to play CMJ Music Marathon’s 25th Anniversary, then comes a feature in URB Magazine, residencies at both Scenic and Death Disco in New York’s Lower East Side. Following such high profile gigs the band is asked to play almost every venue that’s worthwhile in NYC.

Meanwhile the demand for a CD is deafening, 13,000 plus Myspace fans must satiate their need for this electro/rock/goth/punk hybrid, that at times has been described as PJ Harvey in a three-way with Primal Scream and Trent Reznor. The band is now set to release their first EP as a full band. Reworking some of their original tracks and adding some new favorites, they will be spreading the fire all over the world. They have an upcoming UK Tour in July, where British “firestarters” eagerly await their arrival, and a US tour to baptize the rest of the country into their Death Parade.