Ben Redlich’s band, Whodafunkit, launch their debut EP this Saturday night at Prince Of Wales, St kilda. Ben was our star percussionist at Revelry last month. He was also The Vagrants’ drummer for a couple of years, which was how we first met – celebrating his 21st birthday in Berlin when both our bands were on tour there in 2008.

Whodafunkit – Ben Redlich on drums.

We’ll be down at POW this Saturday for the show. I caught Whodafunkit at IDGAFF earlier this year. They were really great fun, complete with outlandish costumes (and costume changes – we love that). As the band’s name suggests, it’s a funky, dancing kinda show – not to be missed. Seeya there.

CLFO.

Caught the lastest Bond movie last night at iMax, Carlton. What a magnificent film – not just one of the best Bond movies ever, but a thrilling suspense-laden action beast which rivals the very best in the genre. As mentioned, we did see this at iMax, which pounds the senses from go to whoa. That said, the realism of the action and the depth of complexity in the characters was truly gripping – and at times, thoroughly unnerving.

Skyfall dives deep into Bond’s psyche – an unusual approach in a 007 flick. We’re shown a rare insight into the emotional state of a man in a continual kill-or-be-killed cenario. Skyfall is one of those great movies where you wake up the next morning still thinking about it (and the ride it took you on). Not a movie for the faint-hearted & certainly not one you’ll forget in a hurry. Five freekin’ stars, James.

CLFO

Went down to IDGAFF last night to see some old mates play in their new band, Chapter Ray. Guitarist Brendan Young & drummer Mick Brown have played in bands together, on and off, for years – I’ve been fortunate enough to have been in a couple of their bands, prior to TOF. While I’m at it, Mick also played drums on our first album, Sky Caves In & various other releases after that. The band were really tight last night & having a lot of fun on stage. They had a good sized crowd too, everybody getting in to it.

Chapter Ray at IDGAFF last night.

Chapter Ray are currently recording for their first release (their nearly done). We’ll let you know when it comes out & when their next show is.

Have a great weekend.
CLFO

Our good friends in New York, The Bloody Muffs, just released a compilation record featuring a bunch of US punk, rock & garage bands – and The On Fires. Click here to go to the album website. While you’re there, scroll down the album tracks (we’re number 17) to hear our previously unreleased track ‘Got This Feeling’. We recorded the song earlier this year as a ‘B side’, but never actually released it… til now.

This Is Now – New York punk, rock & garage compilation album.

We met The Bloody Muffs in New York City, when we were on tour last year. The guys came to a show we did at Arlene’s Grocery in Manhattan. We hung out for drinks after the show, before packing up & heading over to New Jersey for a show the following day.

CLFO

Our tech wiz TC (who is also our roadie & equipment supplier) and I, have been viewing our website stats for the past month or so. And we’ve been getting a large number of hits from the Palo Alto area of California, near San Francisco. Hello to y’all out there in sunny Palo Alto/San Francisco! Drop us a line, guys – we’d love to chat. Leave a comment below – or hit us up on Facebook.

We’re not sure why the good folks around San Francisco Bay are hitting us up right now – but we’d like to! Cheers guys & hope to hear from you soon.

Checkya later.
Fires out.

Today we’ve been looking through promo & live shots to create a press package for a possible European tour, June/July next year. Found this shot from the China Tour 2011. This show in Beijing was out of control – we’d rolled in on a tour bus just before the show, the crowd was massive (50 thousand), we played the show covered in dust whipped up by the mosh, left the stage, straight back onto the bus & off to the airport for another festival in Chengdu the next day.

More tour news coming soon. Our next ‘show’ will be in the park – Browns Reserve, Nicholson St Abbotsford – Friday 21st Dec. It’ll be pretty casual & laid back. Mainly an acoustic thing with the BBQ going. Feel free to bring your guitar or bongo drums & join in.

CLFO

Working on tour branding & poster design for next year’s European tour in March / April. We’ll be out on the road for a month with The Vagrants, playing shows in Germany, Netherlands and Austria (more countries to be announced). Here’s a sample of the tour artwork developed so far –

After Europe, it’s China in May. We’re also in preliminary talks about European festival shows midyear in 2013 – we’ll see how that pans out & keep you posted.

CLFO

Craigie sent us a link to this video below – The Shaper by Crayfish Films.

Have a great weekend.
CLFO

We’re having our On Fires Christmas party at Browns Reserve, Nicholson St Abbotsford. 6pm Friday 21st December, winding up by 10pm. BYO barbie stuff & beer (free BBQ facilities) . We’ll be playing a few tunes unplugged. It’ll be a cruisy early evening. Bring your acoustic (or whatever you fancy) if you feel like jamming.

Browns Reserve, Nicholson St Abbotsford.

CLFO.

Caught the Paul Kelly movie last night at Nova, Carlton. An amazing, inspiring film about an Aussie icon who continues to defy convention, creating a musical legacy that will last through the ages. Kelly is truly a masterful songwriter. My earliest memories of his work began with the Coloured Girls – and epic tunes like ‘Leaps and Bounds’ which for me, evoke a sense of pride about our life, music and culture in Melbourne-town.

There were tears shed during the movie – Kelly’s work conjures up, exposes and reflects our emotional attachment to this land, our ‘Aussie-ness’, love, loss and sex. A brilliant, must-see documentary.

CLFO