Local rock band Feed the Flames is hoping to fuse a new sound with the reggae genre and this weekend fans will be treated to sounds that will leave a lasting impression.
The band which has been around since 2008, has been ‘burning’ up the local scene at popular venues in the city and has been working into the hearts of its growing fan base, mainly of the younger generation.
FTF, as it has been referred to by fans, has performed at a few local venues including the Sheriff Nightclub, Karma Bowling Alley, Club Ecstasy, Odyssey Pool Hall and Beer Garden, and the Gourmet Pavilion.
Back in 2008, friends Gavin Singh, Gavin Persaud and Nicholas Verspoor collaborated towards putting together the band. Over time, FTF has experienced several changes in a quest to find and develop its own unique sound and this was made possible when the band encountered Emilio Martins (lead guitarist). Martins has been described by the band as a dedicated musical talent who holds the band together at key moments.
Band spokesperson Candase Naughton told The Scene recently that since its formation, the band has shifted towards producing original music, “to finding our sound and owning it. We want to perform songs that are quality and not some repetitive drone and try to call it music,” she said of the music FTF has been playing.
She added that the fans have certain standards which they look for and noted that they (the fans) deserve musicians who work hard towards bringing quality music to them. “This is mainly why we are producing our own show for people to come hear what we can do, we are fusing reggae and rock – this is a new genre of music!”
The band has ambitions to play beyond these shores, and its members have been developing their talents in that direction; honing their skills not only on the instruments but their vocals and general musical and band presentation.
Verspoor recently returned home from Lagos, Nigeria where he pursued African drumming studies and in a few weeks, he will be heading to London, England along with Martins where they will be pursuing formal training in music production and compilation. “Nick and Emilio will be exploring and learning a wide range of musical repertoire and expand theirs. Hopefully some time in middle 2012 you will be hearing from this band on the international scene,” Naughton said.
In the past, rock bands have appeared on the scene with ambitious plans but fizzled out with time. Naughton said that FTF has been grateful that it has been blessed with the opportunity to take its music to another level, to travel and add to the craft.
“To be educated in a powerful tool that many locals have been denied. Had our predecessors the opportunity to leave Guyana, to work on their craft… To some degree the ‘system’ failed them; the lack of music education in our schools at all levels,” she said.
She noted that had there been funding for music programmes or the establishment of a music in schools programme, more bands and single acts would be present on the local scene today. “There is a great need for formal music education in Guyana… without it our music will only continue to sound karaoke, pitchy, off key, and at times dreadful,” she said.
Asked whether there is room for FTF to gain fame locally, Naughton was affirmative in her response, noting that the local scene is, “thirsty for something fresh but heavy”. She said FTF produces a sound which in one way or another has elements that can please a variety of palates. In recent years, she said society has seen a number of local music artistes who gain both local and international recognition and according to Naughton, FTF was looking forward to generating the same support and lending its talent to further develop Guyanese music.
To date FTF has produced 11 fully arranged tracks and a number of unfinished pieces are currently in production. Asked what the response has been to the sounds of FTF, Naughton said ,’ At our last gig we found our presence to be a little spellbinding at the beginning but after a few songs the good vibes that ensued was something amazing. I hope people remembered that night and can come out to support us doing our own thing. I’d say we are appreciated.’
The band will debut an entire album of fresh material/ songs at the Rumble, its inaugural musical showpiece which will be held tonight at the Wildlife Bond at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Backed by DJ Fyah, FTF will “keep things lively as reggae meets rock.”
