Above This Fire knows how to do hardcore right. The Cleveland lads have taken the best elements of the genre and super glued it to some fine metal riffing. This unlikely adhesion has created a rejuvenated tasty treat for the city that rocks to call its own. Even though it seems the gentleman may have forgotten where the closest recording studio is, 2005’s In Perspective being its last album. Fear not, Above This Fire have buried the hatchet with its recording qualms and are back in the studio. We sat down with guitarists Aaron Salo and LT Magnotto along with bassist Oliver Barrett to talk about the new record, Steven Segal, and the perfect evening of live music.
S*KM: Let’s talk about the current music scene in Cleveland, are you guys encouraged with what you have heard from other bands or does it sound like they are all starting to run together?
LT: We’ve been at this thing for a pretty long time and we have seen a lot of bands come and go. There are a lot of new young bands popping up, and whats cool is a lot of these kids are working pretty hard to make things happen for themselves. It’s cool to see a new band out of Cleveland surviving on the road!
S*KM: Back in February you announced guitars Rick Sans would be leaving the band and replacing him would be Aaron Salo. What kind of impact has it had on the band, especially the songwriting process for the new album?
LT: Getting Aaron in the band has been such a great thing, for the past few years I had been doing all of the writing ( as far as riffs are concerned ) and now the process is much less stressful having someone that I can jam with and bounce ideas off of like Aaron. He is a mega motivated cat, and it really gets us all pumped to do things!
S*KM: Keeping with the new material, what can be expected from the new album? Are there any surprises in the direction of the bands sound this time out?
OB: Not to sound clichĂ©, but this new album has more mature songwriting. It’s a good progression from the last record as it should be. It’s taken three years to get this thing done. As far as the actual material goes, you’ll just have to listen to it when the record comes out. It’s different, in a good way. It’s a pretty fun album, and we’re proud of it.
S*KM: What kind of details can we squeeze out about the new album, recording plans, title, track list etc.?
OB: We started last Friday. The album is currently untitled. It contains the three demo songs that were on our myspace, and seven others. We’ve played a few of them live recently. I’d say the release will probably be in late September, but don’t quote me on that.
S*KM: Here at S*KM we have dubbed 2008 the year of live music, do you think there is a large gap between the live and recorded listening experiences?
OB: Depends on the band. If the bands you listen to do a lot of extra stuff in the studio that they can’t do live, then obviously there’s a big gap there. I know it sucks when you go see a band, and you ask to hear your favorite song only to find out it’s a “studio track.” In general, I wouldn’t say there’s too big of a gap in this genre.
S*KM: If you could only pick one medium for fans to experience your music for the rest of your careers, either playing live shows or putting out studio albums, which would it be?
OB: Tough question. We have a lot of fun playing out, but we don’t tour extensively. So, ideally, it would be playing out.
AS: Live shows for sure. I love going into the studio and recording, but I’d go crazy if I couldn’t play live. The connection you get with fans, especially at our shows, is amazing. When you see someone that sings along with all the words to every song, nothing beats that.
S*KM: Which actor would best embody all that is Above This Fire?
ATF: Steven Segal and “Back to the Future” era Michael J Fox’s child
S*KM: Which super power would you rather have, flight or invisibility?
AS: Definitely flight. Have you seen Iron Man?! I always love flying in planes, so that fits perfect for me. I’m not the “stalking Sally in her shower” type.
OB: Aaron wants to fly like Harry Potter.
S*KM: Describe the components that make up Above This Fire’s favorite summer back yard BBQ?
LT: Backyard? Above This Fire parties at the beach. Were talking chicken fights, marco polo, and jet skiing. You’ll always find a grill packed to the edge with: Hot Dogs, Beer Brats, Burgers, BBQ Chicken, Corn on the cob, and steaks.
S*KM: If you guys could organize the perfect evening of live music, who would play?
LT: Man, well Above This Fire would have to open, and than I’d say The Fucking Champs would play, than maybe Minus The Bear, probably followed by Fu Manchu, and than Lebron James would introduce Iron Maiden circa its “Somewhere in Time” album.
AS: That’s a tough one. I know we’d probably have Minus The Bear there, who we’re all huge fans of. Just to be the chill band of the night. I’d also have Terror play so I can get my dose of hardcore inspiration from Scott Vogel.
OB: At the Drive-In would open it up. Then David Ruffin would magically come back to life and the Temptations would headline with Chuck Mangione playing his flugelhorn between sets.
You can check out Above This Fire for yourself at www.myspace.com/abovethisfire.