Susan Boyle is not, as is commonly believed, from Bathgate (she’s from down the road in Blackburn). Which is handy, as she might have otherwise faced a challenge to her crown of biggest, most rocking behemoth in the sleepy, music-starved, West Lothian town.
The Fire and I formed from the ashes of a four-piece band in 2008, becoming a duo – of drums and bass. Curiously, or just thanks to their impressive sound, their lack of numbers is not something you’d notice. Also suitably impresesed: Biffy Clyro, Amy Macdonald and The Young Knives, all of whom the band have supported, as well as their finding a fan in Jim Gellatly who selected ‘Revenge’ in his top 10 of the year.
As ever, we let the band do the talking.
who?
Gordon Love – bass, vocals
Hooligan Sadikson – drums, vocals, synth
when?
The Fire and I started life at the start of 2007, from the ashes of a previous four piece band.
Since then, we have been gigging hard all over Scotland and England and had a tour in Mexico City with Teleferico (Hooligan’s previous bandmates). Highlights include headlining T-Break stage at T in the Park, Wickerman, playing to a sold out crowd with Amy Macdonald at the Barrowland Ballroom, supporting Biffy Clyro and Sucioperro in Sheffield.
where?
Hooligan had moved to Bathgate (where his mother originally grew up) and had been working on his Scottish accent for 2 years. We met and started bouncing musical ideas off each other within a week of meeting. Soon after we were in the studio recording our demos, which lead to our first single in 2008, ‘Revenge (To the Bloody Angel)’ and then in 2009 our joint singles were released ‘Just Face It’ and ‘Dark In The Shade’ both of which sold out!
Now, we are touring to promote our debut album ‘Stampede Finale’. Coming out on the 1st of November.
what?
alternative catchy unique energetic rock 🙂
why?
We love it, we are both big fans of music. We love the tours, the live shows, the recordings – NOTHING else gives you that kick!
We make music that we want to hear. as long as it sounds like nothing else we like it.
Inspiration from bands we like was why we started playing music but passion for what we create drives us forward.
Debut album Stampede Finale is out on November on the CrashCar label.
www.myspace.com/thefireandi
http://listn.to/thefireandi
Also chief newshound at Jockrock
- F.O. Machete - 18 April 2025
- Henge - 18 April 2025
- Divorce - 16 April 2025