ALEXISONFIRE

'Alexisonfire' (IPA: /ə.lɛks.ɪs.ɔn.faɪ.ɹ/)^[1] is a five-piece post-hardcore band that formed in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada Band is a scream Mike Ross in 2001. The band consists of George Pettit (vocals), Dallas Green (guitar/vocals), Wade MacNeil (guitar/vocals), Chris Steele (bass), and Jordan Hastings (drums/percussion).
The band describes their music as aggressive and energetic,^[2] with a unique sound. The band's uniqueness is suggested by the fact that they are named after porn star Alexis Fire, the only "lactating contortionist in the world."Commonly known, but confirmed by Chris Steele in an interview, viewable here The band plays on the extremes of multiple vocalists, with Dallas Green providing melody with his soft singing, George Pettit's polar-opposite explosive screaming, and with Wade MacNeil lending his punk rock vocals to the mixture. Over the years their style has progressed, their lyrics have evolved, with subject matters from go-karting to relationship troubles, and musically they have developed a more mature and available sound. Their most recent music video reflects their stance shift and stylistic progression.
The band is managed by Joel Carriere, co-founder of the popular Canadian online music magazine Bedlam Society, and their label, Dine Alone Records. Alexisonfire's latest album, ''Crisis'', debuted at number one on the Canadian charts, and the band is currently in the midst of their North American tour.

Contents

History

Origins

''Crisis''

Future Plans

Fanbase

Side Projects

City and Colour

The Black Lungs

Bergenfield Four

Fucked Up

Members

Former members

Discography

Videography

Awards/Nominations

See also

Notes

External links

History

Origins

Alexisonfire consists of five friends who formed a band in late 2001 as the result of a three-band break up. They played their very first show in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 2001. The band's name is a sort-of homage to Alexis Fire, who claimed to be the world's only lactating contortionist stripper. This caused problems when she discovered that they were using her website name as their band name, and threatened to sue. However, since she had never trademarked the title, nothing became of these threats. The band released its first EP, ''Math Sheet Demos'' in 2002 so named because the CD was wrapped in former drummer, Jesse Ingelevics' math homework. The first, self-titled studio album ''Alexisonfire'' was released that same year. Initially they faced hard times and received virtually no radio airtime, which continues to stand true today regardless of their popularity. This didn't hold the band back though, they broke out, gaining notoriety in the underground, and eventually with the support of MuchMusic.
The band then went on to release ''Watch Out!'' in 2004. While touring in support of the album with Johnny Truant and The Blood Roses in Glasgow, Scotland in October 2005, each member of all three bands had the word "Yeti" tattooed on themselves. On an episode of the MuchMusic program The New Music, Pettit and Green revealed that the inspiration for their "Yeti" tattoos came from the 1988 Gary Oldman film ''The Firm''.

''Crisis''

In 2006, Alexisonfire signed to Vagrant Records in the United States after leaving there former label Equal Vision Records and released their third studio album, ''Crisis''. AllMusic Guide considered the album to be their best to date. [1] With their change of musical style, the band also changed their style of video from a more lo-fi style using the director Marc Ricciardelli, to a more cinematic approach. In May 2007 they headlined the SolidSonic Music Festival in New Zealand playing alongside The Rabble, City Newton Bombers and The Bleeders.

Future Plans

In a recent interview, vocalist George Pettit states that he is unaware of the direction that the band will head in for their next album, but that it will be a big departure from their post hardcore roots. "The next record, I think, is us pretty much wanting to put the knife in screamo. I don't want to be the band that saves it, I want to be the band that kills it.^[3]

Fanbase

While their largest fanbase is in their home country of Canada, they are also becoming more popular in other parts of the world. In early 2005 they toured Europe and Australia with Rise Against. Numerous European venues sold out or had to be upgraded to accommodate the large number of fans. In October 2005, the band embarked on their first ever headlining tour of Europe with British bands, The Blood Roses and Johnny Truant. They were also on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour, where they have stated on their MySpace account that they turned down the mainstage for the Canadian venues

Side Projects

The members of the band have many side projects:

City and Colour

City and Colour is Dallas Green's solo side project, under which he has released an EP, The Death of Me, a studio album, Sometimes, and a live album, Live; all under the label Dine Alone Records. The Alexisonfire song, "Where No One Knows", was originally (in part) a song by Dallas Green (as City and Colour). He is set to release a second full-length in summer 2007. The side projects name derives from Dallas Green's name, City being his first name and Colour being his last name.

The Black Lungs

The Black Lungs is a band formed by Wade MacNeil. Originally its members were George Pettit, Jordan "Ratbeard" Hastings and Sean McNabb of the now dissolved band Jersey. After playing a few shows the band broke up leaving only Wade MacNeil. The Black Lungs is now Wade MacNeil's solo project. Sammi Bogdanski plays the piano over Wade's vocals and guitar. Wade has recorded an album which will be released on Dine Alone Records sometime in the winter/spring of 2007. Two tracks have been released onto MySpace.

Bergenfield Four

George Pettit played a show on September 1 2006 in a band with members of Attack in Black, Keep It Up and Fucked Up. Named after the suicides in BergenField, N.J. the quartet has recently released their first 7" on LowDown Records.

Fucked Up

George Pettit, from time to time, plays bass for the Toronto hardcore band Fucked Up.

Members

★ George Pettit - vocals

★ Dallas Green - guitar, vocals

★ Wade MacNeil - guitar, vocals

★ Chris Steele - bass

★ Jordan Hastings - drums, percussion

Former members

★ Jesse Ingelevics - drums
As of June 14, 2005, Alexisonfire made a statement on their website that Jesse Ingelevics would no longer be part of the band. The news story cited that the band and Ingelevics had slowly grown apart, and that he wanted to spend more time with his family and his fiancée.

Discography

Main articles: Alexisonfire Discography, Alexisonfire Discography

Videography

Main articles: Alexisonfire Discography, Alexisonfire Videography

Awards/Nominations

★ '''2004 Canadian Independent Music Awards:'''
::'Won' Best Video ("Pulmonary Archery")

★ '''2004 CASBY Awards:'''
::'Won' NXNE Favourite Indie Band

★ '''2004 MuchMusic Video Awards:'''
::'Won' VideoFACT ("Counterparts and Number Them")

::'Nominated' Best Independent Video ("Counterparts and Number Them")

★ '2005 Juno Awards:'
::'Won' New Group Of The Year

★ ''2005 MuchMusic Video Awards:'''
::'Won' Best Independent Video ("Accidents")

::'Nominated' Peoples' Choice Award - Favourite Canadian Group, MuchLOUD Best Rock Video ("Accidents")

★ '''2005 SPIN.com Band of the Year:'''
::'Nominated' Band of the Year in the "All-Ages" category

★ '''2006 CASBY Awards:'''
::'Won' Favorite New Indie Release (''Crisis'')

★ '''2007 Juno Awards:'''
::'Nominated' Group of the Year

★ '''2007 MuchMusic Video Awards:'''
::'Won' Best Cinematography ("This Could Be Anywhere In The World")

::'Nominated' Peoples' Choice Award - Favourite Canadian Group, MuchLOUD Best Rock Video ("This Could Be Anywhere In The World")

See also

★ Dine Alone Records

★ City and Colour

★ Jersey

★ Moneen

★ List of bands from Canada

★ 905 music scene

Notes

1. As taken from the official website's FAQ: "What kind of an idiot would name a band alex is on fire?"
2. As seen on MuchMusic's Adrenaline
3. http://www.canadaeast.com/ce2/docroot/article.php?articleID=29123

External links

★ Alexisonfire Official Site (Flash site)

★

★ Alexisonfire Forum and Blog

★ Upcoming Tour Dates

★ Alexisonfire on Fabchannel full length concert recording

★ Dine Alone Records

★ Vagrant Records

★ Distort Entertainment

★ Sore Point Records

★ Alexisonfire Interview Dec 2006

★ Bio, Interview and Album Reviews

★ Interview with Alexisonfire

★ Review of 'Crisis'