The Fire Show was a rather obscure band from Chicago, IL. I remember the first time I heard these guys, it was a hard sound to place my finger on. I was in college discovering a whole new realm of bands, (most that existed previous of this decade.) I remember trying to wrap my head around "Terraform" the first Shellac record I ever purchased, being graced by the power of The Jesus Lizard and at the same time around then, I was giving multiple listens to The Fire Show. I'm not sure why this band was over looked, possibly the vocal styling of Michael Lenzi? Somewhere around sheer cries, sing-talk, and sometimes over the top voice. He would probably have no problem admitting it, as he cries out in the third track, "Explosion Cerebellum" my voice is broken glass!. The Fire Show is a listening experience that is to slow develop, and occasionally anti-climatic. If I said I liked it at first, I'd be lying, but for whatever reason there was always something intriguing about it that brought me back.It was kinda Fugazi'ish at first listen, that was the only thing I could pigeon hole them with at the time. I started to realize this band was attempting to cross a whole another spectrum that is rarely traveled. It's experimental, avant-garde, with post-punk, and dub amongst noise rock dirges. Touching on elements of everything I was liking about music at the time, but there was something unique about it I couldn't really place my finger on, and off putting at the same time. That's sorta the charm I guess, as it grew on me, more, and more after every listen and then it just hit me like a blind slap that there was nothing really like this out there. Vaguely, it's sorta like the Birthday Party meets Electronic, and Dub. It's the most artsy guitar driven rock, record I ever heard, and it can be catchy as hell. Seth Cohen's sharp, fuzzed out guitar lines, cut little jerky solos through snaky backing rhythms, and fuzzing of electronic samples, and organs, strings. While the bass, and drums, hold it down, by the time you're done listening to this album, it's an experience well spent, and probably more sooner than later, you'll find yourself coming back to it.
