California has a rich history of producing some of the world's greatest metal bands. Whether it be thrash, glam or traditional metal, California has always been a Mecca of heavy metal in the United States. This is the perfect place for a band to find inspiration and possibly stardom. The state's grand history has shown a great impact on newcomer, Fueled By Fire. Playing a style recalling their compatriots to the north, FBF has awed southern California audiences to the point that metal label icons, Metal Blade took notice and signed the band. Now these vigorous young thrashers are reaching a much bigger audience with the recent release of their Metal Blade debut, "Spread the Fire". The following interview was conducted via phone with rhythm guitarist Rick Rangel.
Metal Mayhem: You just released your Metal Blade debut "Spread the Fire." How do you feel about this album?
Rick Rangel: We feel great about it. t is a re-release with some bonus tracks on it and we had it remixed. It sounds really good.
MM: "Spread the Fire" has an authentic California bay area sound. How did you arrive at such a sound?
RR: We kind of developed into the bay area sound. When we first started, we were playing more of a classic heavy metal sound like Iron Maiden and Priest and just developed into a heavier, thrashier sound.
MM: What about the production?
RR: We never thought much about the production. We just wanted a good, quality release.
MM: You had Joey Very remix the album.
RR: Yeah, he remixed it. Originally we did it ourselves at a studio we use. Metal Blade wanted us to remix it and remaster it, so they got Joey Vera to do it. That's pretty cool. He was in Armored Saint. Armored Saint rocks!
MM: (Rick reveals that the band is under twenty-one-years old). So you guys are pretty young. How does it feel to be so young and already be on one of the world's premiere metal labels?
RR: It's surreal. We didn't expect to be here. It's so cool and exciting. We wanted to be on Metal Blade, but we didn't think it would happen this soon.
MM: "Spread the Fire" is not FBF's first album. Can you give us some details about your other releases?
RR: We have two demos ("Life, Death, and FBF" and "Spread the Fire.") "Life, Death…" is more of a classic heavy metal album. We probably won't re-record those songs.
MM: Fueled by Fire began in 2002. Between that time and now, you experienced many lineup changes. You've found consistency with the current lineup. When did you know you had found the perfect lineup?
RR: The chemistry between us told us we had the perfect lineup. Before, we had certain members that would do certain things that not everyone would like in the band. These were abnormalities that we no longer have with the current lineup. We have a chemistry that makes us no this is the perfect lineup.
MM: Fueled by Fire plays a variety of cover tunes. Did the band begin as a cover band? Would you ever consider doing a cover album or participating on a tribute album?
RR: That would be cool, man! We never started off as a cover band, we just played a heavy metal style, but we covered a few songs. We did a medley of Iron Maiden songs like "Prowler", "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and "Killers." We did a Judas Priest cover. Later on we started doing thrash covers like from Exodus, Slayer, Megadeth, and Vio-lence. If a tribute album came out of something we really liked, it would be cool to be on it. We liked jamming out to some of those songs.
MM: Is that how you arrived at your style? You started playing the classic heavy metal stuff then you went to the thrash. Now you have a sound that is primarily thrash, but still you hear a lot of Judas Priest, some Maiden, and bands of the classic metal era.
RR: Oh yeah, we're influenced by all that stuff. We like the thrash. We like the heavy metal. We took all our influences and put it all in there.
MM: One fact from your history that stands out is the infamous first show at The Whiskey in Hollywood. Tell our readers about that show.
RR: (Laughs). We played there many, many times. The first time we played there, there wasn't really anyone there. Most of the crowd was the bands who played there that night, and that was about it. They watched us. We've played there many times, but when we first played there metal wasn't as big. People were more into doom metal or whatever. It went much better for us later on. I love playing The Whiskey. It's a classic club. Our friends' band was there watching us. We like playing with our friends.
MM: Another important gig for you was opening for Hallows Eve and Hirax. Why was this show of such significance?
RR: It was a good show. Hallows Eve and Hirax are awesome bands. It was cool opening for them. The crowd went crazy for us and we talked to Metal Blade at that show.
MM: Owner and founder of Metal Blade, Brian Slagel came down to witness your performance at this gig. Did you know he was coming before you went on stage?
RR: He didn't go to that show. We met him at another little fest we've played at the Knitting Factory. He watched us play and we met him.
MM: So were you nervous to meet Brian Slagel? He was one of the architects of the American heavy metal scene. He released the first Metallica recording.
RR: Oh yeah, we were like "whoa". It took us a while to meet him. We went to the offices of Metal Blade and he wasn't there. It was cool when we got to meet him. This is the guy that broke out Metallica and Slayer!
MM: The aforementioned shows were just two of many great shows. What were some your other tours/opening gigs?
RR: It was really great when we went to the bay area. We got to meet a lot of the guys who were original members in bay-area bands. We talked to a lot of guys who were around the scene back in the day. We got to talk to Gary Holt of Exodus.
MM: How do you feel about playing with Exodus?
RR: Yeah, we play with them soon. We got to meet them on Saturday in San Diego. That was pretty cool. That show is going to be at the Showcase Theater in Corona (California). We are very excited. We got to see the set they'll be playing and we love it.
MM: I mentioned in my review of "Spread the Fire" that some of the chugging riffs remind me of Exodus. They are obviously a big influence. What other bands would be ideal for Fueled by Fire to tour with?
RR: It would be great to play with Testament. Vio-lence would be pretty cool, too. I got to meet Testament at a show. I snuck back stage and was hanging out with Testament, with Chuck Billy and Alex Skolnick. They put on a good show.
I couldn't get over their volume. That was last summer. They played with all original members, but Paul Bostaph filled in for Louie Clement on drums. He used to jam in Exodus and Slayer for a while, too.
MM: "Spread the Fire" is filled to the brim with head banging, circle pit action. How does this equate in a live setting?
RR: That's all it's about: circle pits and head banging.
MM: Do you guys see a lot of people sporting the throw-back wear like denim jackets and aviator sunglasses?
RR: Oh yeah. It's actually hard to find out here. You have to go to a thrift store to buy that stuff. I wear my jacket Jim Durkin from Dark Angel style, with no patches.
MM: That's about it for my questions. Do you have anything you would like to add?
RR: Not really. Cool interview. Buy our album, "Spread the Fire" which came out 8-07-07 in U.S and spread the fire!
