Feb 2009, the Australian Defense Force flew us to the Solomon Islands to entertain soldiers and police, deployed there as part of an international peace-keeping force. It was a profound and life-changing experience, vividly remembered. We lived with the soldiers, stayed in their bunkers & played shows at the main military and maritime bases. But as well as that, we were taken out to remote villages to play for school kids & communities. Just awesome.

The On Fires playing for school kids – Solomon Islands Feb 2009.

The ‘Hokey Pokey’ was a big hit.
Fires out.

European tour poster artwork for April. We’re opening for The Vagrants on a tour through Germany and surrounding countries. After Europe we’re heading to China for a tour including some amazing festivals. Dates announced soon.

We haven’t toured Europe since midway through 2010 – and it’s fair to say we’ve missed it. We’re also excited about going out on the road there with the mighty Vagrants. It’s gonna be awesome.

Fires out.

Chang Jiang Festival, near Shanghai – April 2012. We had the sunset time-slot. Started at dusk & finished an hour later at night. An amazing crowd & huge stage with several giant video screens.

The next China tour coming in May this year, after Europe in April. Dates announced soon.

Fires out.

Surfin’ Dogs…

Thanks to Ronda C for sending this video link.

Fires out.

Shot taken from a live video in Kiev, 2007. After opening the show, we were called up on stage to play AC-DC’s ‘Touch Too Much’ with legendary headliners Borshch. The crowd went nuts. Our bass-player at the time, Naomi, leapt from the stage & crowd surfed the room. She’s hard to see in this pic, but that’s her being held up.

Borshch’s founder & bass-player, Sasha Pipa was our host for that leg of the 2007 European tour. We arrived a few days before the show. Sasha & crew picked us up at Kiev airport, took us back to stay at their apartment, fed us & showed us around the city. We even recorded & rehearsed in their studio. The experience & their generosity was stunning. That show at Club Bochka in Kiev changed the entire direction of our band – still one of the wildest shows we’ve played.

Fires out.

Just got back in from a few days camping & writing. We were holed up in an empty caravan park at Beechworth (near the Vic/NSW border), working on a few new songs with almost no distraction. Never seen Beechworth til now. Amazing historic township whose heyday was around the mid 1800’s when the gold-rush hit the region.

Strawberry Festival Beijing 2012.

Beechworth – Victoria, Australia.

Fires out.

Camped at Beechworth, Victoria Australia – songwriting. Home Sunday.

Fires out.

March 2010, we played the South by South West festival in Austin Texas. An overwhelming experience – thousands of bands playing all day, every day. We were on the main street (6th Avenue). Outside, hundreds of thousands of people were trawling the clubs & bars. When you first arrive, it’s difficult to know where to start. Apart from getting through the crowds, any shop-front on the street with a spare few metres of space has a band playing there. We had a great time. Our friends, Kevin Radomski & Chris Bourke form Houston, came down to play the show with us. Later that year, the guys came to Poland for Seven Festival.

The On Fires at South by South West Festival, Austin Texas, March 2010.

Have a great weekend.
Fires out.