Meadville Tribune

Local News

November 13, 2005

Edinboro band quickly playing itself into the national spotlight

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

Text Only
Local News
  • Completion of $6.8M expansion marks C&J's 50th year

    With its 50th year in business under way — and business continuing to boom — a local high-tech tooling and plastic parts manufacturer appears at the ready for an even higher-tech future.

    February 4, 2012

  • Cochranton Carl says winter will be done soon

    So here’s the deal. Some groundhogs  — animals christened Marmota monax by the Swedish botanist Linnaeus in 1758 and also known colloquially as woodchucks, whistle-pigs and land-beavers — are remarkably high maintenance.

    February 3, 2012

  • City council hears what applicants have to offer

    Seven applicants for the vacant seat on Meadville City Council interviewed with council members during an extended public session. Council members have 30 days to select a replacement for Chandler Mason, who won a place on the November ballot in the May primary, won again in November, and then opted to not take the seat.

    February 3, 2012

  • Second interviews set for two council hopefuls

    Nine applications were received, seven applicants were interviewed and two have been asked to return for a second round of talks as the search for Meadville City Council’s tie-breaking fifth member swings into high gear.

    February 2, 2012

  • Next stop Carnegie Hall for Maplewood singer

    Michael Miller stands alone on the stage of Ford Chapel on the campus of Allegheny College. He draws in a breath, opens his mouth and, with no visible effort, fills the entire room with the sound of his voice.

    February 2, 2012

  • Scholarships helping women get back in the classroom

    “As long back as I can remember, there’s been this little voice inside me that says, ‘You can do more,’ ” Vanessa Shaffer recalled. “I’d done a brilliant job in ignoring that voice — and I was ready to give it an ear.”

    February 1, 2012

  • Plan unveiled that could save more than $20 million

    A citizens’ advisory committee recommends Crawford County split almost all of its courthouse functions among two sites — the former Talon Inc. Plant No. 5 on upper Arch Street and the present Crawford County Courthouse in downtown Meadville — and at a 40 percent lower cost than previously anticipated.

    February 1, 2012

  • Cochranton Carl now on Facebook and ready to forecast

    As the annual Groundhog Day gets near, one local weather-watching critter is starting to cause a stir on Facebook.

    January 31, 2012

  • DA: Argument shows accused killer's ill will

    A verbal argument related to a drug store robbery is what Crawford County District Attorney Francis Schultz alleges led a Linesville man to murder a Linesville-area couple almost two years ago.

    January 31, 2012

  • Accident closes Route 322 in western Crawford County

    Route 322 is closed from West State Road/Turnersville Road in West Shenango Township to Water Street in Jamestown Borough, Mercer County, due to an accident that downed utility lines at County Line Road in Jamestown. The road is expected to reopen by noon today, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

    January 30, 2012

Business Marquee
AP Video
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East 2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3% Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy? Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
Poll

Lunches provided in schools:

Are fine ... or at least ‘good enough’ for the low cost
Are poor. They really don’t amount to much more than “junk food”
Don’t matter to us — our kids carry their lunch
     View Results
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Stocks