INSPIRATIONAL, semi-sophisticated, and anthemic. This is Firefalldown.
Influenced by a slew of artists coming from different musical genres, the London-based three piece continues to be inflamed by a passion to reach people through music.
Jon Blaylock leads the band vocally and plays the guitar. He was instrumental in getting the band going, and has taken the lead with the songwriting. Joel Sablayan is the bassist and does backing vocals. Andrew Hodgson is the drummer and also does backing vocals. He calls himself an “ex-metalhead,” and this sometimes shows through in his drum grooves.
The band’s music is a fusion of punk, funk, and solid rock, with a hint of something heavier. No song sounds the same.
“Our plea is that you listen,” the guys post in their MySpace. “Our joy is made complete once a lyric, chord, or beat causes you to seek.”
Tell us about your brand of sound.
JON BLAYLOCK: Though the band is in many ways the culmination of our individual dreams, it’s a means to an end really. We want to touch lives more than anything else. And, considering our talents, skills, and personalities, music seems the most effective way to do this. As regards the brand of music, I think it’s an avant-garde mixture of the new and the old: punking, funking rock interspersed with smooth, soulish vibes and a touch of tribal rhythms.
How did you all get together?
ANDREW HODGSON: Joel, who’s from the Philippines, and I, from South Africa, met in a church in London where we ended up playing together for a few years in the same church band.
Sometime during 2005, we decided to jam together, using my kitchen as a makeshift studio. In 2006 we met Jon, another Pinoy who ended up in the same church in London! We realized that, personally and musically, we sang from the same hymn sheet. And the flames started burning from there.
At that point, what were the struggles you faced?
JB: Mostly problems with schedules. Andrew and Joel had very hectic full-time jobs and families, and I was pretty busy with music school, then a master’s course in music business after that. It was also a bit tough deciding on certain things musically and creatively—mainly because the other two had yet to realize that I’m always right. (Laughs)
AH: As with 99 percent of bands out there, our beginnings are humble, and being unknown means very small audiences in equally small venues. The band has made a conscious effort to give each performance our all, making sure that even if there are only a handful of people, the songs are passionately delivered, making the most of each opportunity that we have.
Being unknown also means that practicing and gigs have to be done after hours, while day-jobs are needed to pay the bills. It’s always going to be tough to play into the early hours of the morning, and then be up and ready for work a few hours later.
What was your most memorable gig like?
JB: The Philippine tour is definitely up there somewhere. It was great getting the other two to meet all my old friends and bandmates, and getting them exposed to the scene I grew up in. I know they were both deeply moved by the experience.
AH: The tour we did in Manila in August. This included a live TV performance and also the filming of our first music video.
Being placed in the regional semi-finals of the 2008 surface unsigned competition (UK) was another high point, giving us the opportunity to play to more people, including the fans of the other bands in the competition.
What’s the one thing not a lot of people know about you three?
JB: We all owe Andrew money.
AH: The fact that we met in a church would be a fairly strange concept for some people. It’s probably not too commonplace for rock musicians to find each other in a church and decide to be in a band together. So it started with God really, He breathed the fire into us first. The music then followed. Dreams for the band?
JB: That we might be remembered as a band that actually made a difference in society. I hope that people will remember us for positively impacting their lives in some way—for saying something that in some way brought them closer to living out their dreams, closer to living out their lives to the fullest.
AH: Whether live or recorded, we want to have our music heard by as many people as possible. We believe music is more than a tune or a song. It is also a way to speak out and express opinions. It is a powerful art form that has the ability to influence, create a mood, or deliver a message. If we can entertain loads of people, have our tunes in their heads, or have them singing along with us, then we’d be very happy!
Who do you dream of sharing the stage with?
JB: Would love to open for MXPX or Mutemath. 10 years ago it would have been NOFX, but I heard from friends who handled their tour in Manila that they weren’t the nicest of guys. So sad.
AH: That must be one of the hardest questions to answer because there are so many great bands. Choosing any one or two in particular would seem like we have ranked them. If that’s not impossible, then getting the three of us to agree on any one band would be. We are honored to share the stage with any band that is passionate about the music they’re making, and that works hard to perfect or fine-tune their sound. Tell us what’s next for the band.
JB: Our focus is gonna be on touring. We plan on playing as much as we possibly can around the whole of the UK over the next year. There are plans to visit the Philippines again in 2009. Now we will have the time to write, practice, and tour our butts off. We’re nowhere near our peak in terms of the explosiveness and tightness of the shows we put on, but I doubt it will take very long for us to get there. Watch this space.
Everything that you’re doing—the music, the performing—what do they all mean to you?
JB: Right now, pretty much everything. It’s what I believe I was created to do and the most effective way I feel I can touch people’s lives. To quote Eric Lidell, “When I play, I feel God’s pleasure.”
AH: Music is in our bones. I don’t think any of us could think of a more constructive way to spend our lives, but to create and perform music. Knowing that people are entertained by what you have created is a very fulfilling feeling. I hope we can continue with Firefalldown for many years to come!
Any last words?
JB: Yeah, people need to know that the music coming from the South East Asia is mind-numbingly amazing. The best artists from over here will give the best of the best from the UK a run for their money. I’m so looking forward to being a part of the generation that gets the sound of the South East heard across the globe.
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