3/1 SMOKE OR FIRE @ The Middle East Upstairs with Fake Problems, Movers And Shakers and Smartbomb March 1, 2008

Saturday, March 1, 2008The Middle East Upstairs
SMOKE OR FIRE (Fat Wreck Chords, ex-Jericho RVA)Fake ProblemsMovers And ShakersSmartbomb (featuring members. of No Trigger and Shock Nagasaki)
18+ $109pm Doors

************************SMOKE OR FIRE (Fat Wreck Chords, ex-Jericho RVA)


Smoke or Fire is back after a tour of the world, a lineup change and months spent working on their sophomore full-length, This Sinking Ship. The band has always kept their fans alert over the years, but things are more concrete than ever for Smoke or Fire and their sound remains true. Clearly influenced by predecessors like Hot Water Music and Avail, these young upstarts also blend in some additional elements of Americana with their hints of The Replacements and Springsteen. And it started like this
Smoke or Fire was formed in 1998 while the brainy punks were still attending college in Massachusetts. The long-time pals teamed up originally under the name Jericho and played basements throughout the Northeast. It wasnt long after graduation that they tired of Bostons high cost of living and migrated south to Richmond, Virginia. It was here, tucked beneath the Mason-Dixon line, that the band could not only live affordably and work on their songs, but also be a part of a vibrant musical community that boasts a storied punk rock past and presently teeming with talent. After playing shows and perfecting their songs the band was plucked outta RVA by Fat Wreck Chords just in time to release their debut, 2005s Above The City.
That album made quite a mark for the young band and the lads went on to tour with Against Me!, The Lawrence Arms, The Casualties, Anti-Flag, and more. It bears mentioning that these guys did the entire 2005 Fat Tour. Why is that special? Because it went to ALL 50 STATES, thats why! Yep, a three-month sojourn with Against Me! that took them to the likes of Alaska, Hawaii, DelawareWyomingall of em! After a bit of rest and much deliberation, the band was ready to track some new material and decided that Matt Allison at Atlas Studios (Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms, The Methadones, etc.) would be the best fit for their next LP.
Prior to entering the studio for their sophomore release, the band underwent a member change as long-time drummer Nick exited the group. Right away they knew Dave Atchison was the man for the job. Formerly of the Jade Tree crust-punk-thrash band, From Ashes Rise, Daves percussive talents are heralded throughout the scene and should only strengthen Smoke or Fires already-booming rock assault. With a new record in the can and some shows under their belt with the new lineup, Smoke or Fire is ready to share This Sinking Ship with the rest of the world.
The second full-length is always make-or-break for a band, but Smoke or Fire come correct and have stacked the deck. This Sinking Ship boasts a better performance and bears the bands finest production. Subsequent touring goes without saying.
Artist Website: http://www.myspace.com/smokeorfire

************************FAKE PROBLEMS


Although Naples, Florida is just five short hours from Gainesvillethe birthplace of bands like Against Me! and Hot Water Musicthe area isnt commonly considered to be a punk Mecca; and with good reason. Naples is a really thriving vacation spot, so the whole city revolves around people who come here for three months of the year, explains Fake Problems front man Chris Farren. So its a strange environment, but I think its a good environment creatively because its very nice.
Despite the fact that theyve only been together for a few years, the group of four friendswhich also features bassist Derek Perry, guitarist Casey Lee and drummer Sean Stevensonhave already logged more miles in the van as a full-time touring band than most acts years their senior. Last year we played more than 150 shows and were away from home for something like 200 days, with recording and days off in addition to shows Farren explains. In October, the band blew the minds of fans from around the world at last years Fest in Gainesville, and the band just finished up a largely sold out tour alongside Against Me! and The Riverboat Gamblers.
Recorded with Rob McGregor (Hot Water Music, Grabass Charlestons), the bands full-length debut How Far Our Bodies Go has a timeless feel that pushes the boundaries of punk rock while retaining the youthful exuberance inherent in the bands music. With its blaring horns, swinging tempos, and anthemic vocals, Maestro Of This Rebellious Symphony sounds like its about to combust at any moment; although Astronaut starts with an acoustic intro the song quickly erupts into the cathartic punk of Crest On The Chest; and the confessional ballad Staying & Leaving As Living & Dying evokes Saddle Creek artists like Bright Eyes and The Good Life.
A concept album about morality and driven by a love of life and a fear of death, How Far Our Bodies Go manages to tackle existential subject matter in a way that doesnt come off as preachy or pretentious. In fact, metaphoric references to birth, travel, bones, weather, goals, and uncertainty litter the album, forming a patchwork of experiences that make up one complete life experience. I need to swing, I need to move/You need to stand up, look forward and go, Farren sings during Lifes A Drink, Get Thirsty, trying his best to move ahead amidst all this self-imposed chaos and confusionand his catharsis seems to be working.
In my lyrics I definitely like to say what I feel, but I dont like to alienate people or create a niche so that you can only listen to our music if you share our beliefs, Farren explains about the disc, which begins with birth (We were born in our mothers arms but we have since grown) and ends with imminent death (I missed you, I barely hit you but you could have gone to heaven today). I dont like to bring my problems to other people unless theyre really important, Farren continues, elaborating on the bands curious moniker.
Fake Problems arent concerned about fitting into any type of niche, selling a ton of records or wearing make-up in effort to perpetuate some kind of image. If anything the bands image is that they dont have one, instead choosing to put their energy into seeing the world, writing honest music and pouring their hearts out every nightand now that people are starting to take notice, well, thats just a bonus. We cant wait to hear if you agree.  
Artist Website: http://www.fakeproblems.com/

************************MOVERS AND SHAKERS


"Super catchy tunes and a punched up rythym section reminiscent of the early Police or london Calling era Clash (high praise, maybe a bit hyperbolic, but these boys sounded THAT good last night)" pockefullofchumpchange.com  
Artist Website: http://www.myspace.com/moversandshakers

************************SMARTBOMB (featuring members of No Trigger and Shock Nagasaki)


"The world is always changing for the better or the worse so there is always going to be something that us people have to be thinking about, as there are a lot of things going on that are not in our power. But if we document the events we see tightly, and from our point of view, we think, we can just better prepare one for the future. we are inspired by progressive thinking. But thats only half of it, really. Then you gotta worry about progressive punk rock! We're not some "enter sub genre here" punk band. we listen to as many shades of the music spectrum as we possibly can, just checking out whats happening where/when/why. It's about taking it to the next level. But it's more about the people that are listening to your music. A new school hardcore punk band. Featuring members of No Trigger and Shock Nagasaki. Straight up , fast as fuck punk music." Smartbomb
Artist Website: http://www.myspace.com/smartbombpunks
********************For hi-res press photos or more information, please email Clay S. Fernald: [email protected].


Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of Middle_East.