11/14/05 — WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Erie County — “I can’t commit myself to the childhood life,” 14-year-old Josh Karickhoff said recently. “I don’t have the time.”
That’s because the Edinboro-area teen and his Bluefire bandmates are too busy committing themselves to laying down the big sound that’s grabbed the attention of serious rock fans, critics and music industry types in places like New York City, Cleveland and all around the local music circuit.
And that sound — a technically masterful, original blend of progressive rock, old- and new-school metal, and multiple other influences — keeps traveling.
On Tuesday, Karickhoff, bassist Gus Ward, 16, and new drummer Dave Keem, 23, will play the Alpha Music Group National Showcase at Don Hill’s on Greenwich Street in lower Manhattan.
One of just six rock bands and nine hip-hop artists selected from nationwide auditions, Bluefire will perform for industry representatives from major recording labels such as Koch, TVT, Atlantic, Universal, Def Jam and Sony.
Already having the titles of “Best Teen Band” (New York International Music Festival), “Best New Artist” (Great Lakes Film Association Music Video Festival) and others under their belts, the trio said Tuesday’s show just might be the one that opens the door to the next level.
The band “doesn’t want to do this as a hobby,” Keem said.
Bluefire’s commitment to getting signed to a major record label shows. The trio lives together, and spends around four hours a day in their studio north of Edinboro practicing, writing material and recording.
Upcoming plans include recording the newest Bluefire tracks at the Lava Room in Cleveland, the studio that’s laid down tracks from Velvet Revolver, Fear Factory, Judas Priest, Altar Bridge and others.
Last spring’s addition of Keem to the lineup has been exactly what Bluefire’s needed, Karickhoff and Ward said.
Bluefire’s sixth drummer in five years, he “should’ve been with us all along,” said Karickhoff. “He is the real deal.”
Since Keem’s come onto the scene, Bluefire has written and recorded several tracks to add to its growing song list.
Taking to their respective posts recently at their studio off Route 99, Karickhoff, Ward and Keem didn’t waste any time warming up.
Like it’s their job, they jumped seamlessly from the wail of “Does Experience Pay (DEP),” to the acid-blues and power-rock infusion of the instrumental “Larry, Jerry Barry and Dan,” to the teeth-bared stomp of “Initiation.”
Put simply, “that was really good,” 16-year-old Brea Schroek said, looking amazed and at a loss for words after seeing and hearing Bluefire perform live for the first time.
That’s understandable because in a popular musical climate that’s largely absent of real rock and real rockers, Bluefire’s sound is richly-detailed, fast, sharp and mean.
And they’re not shy about it.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BLUEFIRE: For Bluefire sound and video clips, and to find out more about
the band, visit www.bluefireband.com on the Internet
Ryan Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at rsmith@meadvilletribune.com
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