FRIDAY 18th OCTOBER 2013


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Formed in Toronto in 1987 by singer Harry Hess and guitarist Pete Lesperence, Harem Scarem released no less than a dozen studio albums in the next two decades, along with seven live recordings and numerous compilations. Initially successful in Japan and their native Canada, their sound toughened up in the mid-90s and had morphed into modern power pop by the turn of the century when they released two records under the name of Rubber. Reverting back to the Harem Scarem moniker for 2002's 'Weight Of The World', the remainder of the decade saw four more albums that were a hybrid of their early melodic rock style and the darker, more modern slant of their late 90s albums. In Europe it was the pure AOR of their debut album and the clever arena rock of the follow-up 'Mood Swings' that were most fondly remembered, so despite officially splitting up in 2008, the band will return to live action in 2013 with a set showcasing 'Mood Swings' and a few songs from their debut, with a re-recording of 'Mood Swings' and the promise of new music to follow.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Put together by Thin Lizzy keyboard player Darren Wharton in 1985, Oldham-based Dare made a mark with their revered debut album 'Out Of The Silence' three years later. A tour with Europe and the heavier follow-up 'Blood From Stone' cemented their reputation before a period of inactivity eventually saw Wharton return in 1998 with a new line-up and a more atmospheric, celtic-influenced sound. A series of albums has followed in the lighter, celtic-influenced style; 'Calm Before The Storm' (1998), 'Belief (2001), 'Beneath The Shining Water' (2004), 'Arc Of The Dawn' (2009) and the live CD/DVD 'The Power Of Nature' (2005), with their live shows regained a little intensity when original guitarist Vinny Burns rejoined in 2009. In 2012 there was a re-recording of 'Calm Before The Storm' and with Wharton's occasional stint in recent Thin Lizzy line-ups now seemingly at an end, he intends to concentrate more on Dare, with rumours of more early tracks being added to the live shows. Always a favourite with the Firefest crowd, Dare return for the third time at Firefest X.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Originally an idea by the label they were signed to, Work Of Art's Robert Sall, Eclipse's Erik Martensson and Talisman/Journey/solo star Jeff Scott Soto put together their debut album in 2009. The self-titled W.E.T. album gained rave reviews across the board for its great songs, performances and production, going on to become one of the best selling debut albums of the genre in recent years, with the band (completed by Martensson's Eclipse bandmates Magnus Henrikssen and Robben Back) making an impressive live debut at Firefest in 2011. With the equally impressive second album 'Rise Up' just released, W.E.T. are a late but very welcome addition to this year's event and are set to become one of the favourites of the festival yet again.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Although thought of as a new band, drummer Herman Furin and Robert Sall originally started working together in 1992 with Lars Safsund involved in the recording of demos as a keyboard player and backing vocalist. Work on other projects put Work Of Art on haitus and the trio tried to get the band off the ground several more times, eventually showcasing some demo tracks on their Myspace page in 2007, immediately earning themselves a deal with Frontiers Records. The following year 'Artwork' got incredible reviews across the board for its Toto-inspired AOR and 2011's 'In Progress' was another great album that added to their growing reputation, whilst 2012 saw them expanding to a five piece and playing their first live shows to similar acclaim. Their stellar performance last year made them an obvious choice for an immediate return.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Formed in 2006 by ex-Cry Havoc bassist and songwriter Paul Logue and American singer Michael Eden, the multi-national Eden's Curse were soon completed by ex-Paul DiAnno/Steve Grimmett drummer Pete Newdeck and two Germans - guitarist Thorsten Koehne and Axel Rudi Pell keyboard player Ferdy Doernberg. Their 2007 debut was a favourite amongst press and fans of epic melodic metal alike, the band following it up with an acoustic album and their second full album, 'The Second Coming' (with guest appearances from Tony Harnell and Pamela Moore)  in 2008. They played their first live shows the following year with several festival appearances and a tour with Stratovarius and Firewind, followed by the departure of Doernberg, his place taken by renowned Italian Alessandro DelVecchio (Edge Of Forever/Hardline/Mitch Malloy/Axe etc.) Their third full album 'Trinity' was released in 2011 (with guest appearances from Helloween's Andi Deris and James LaBriefrom Dream Theater, who the band supported on their UK tour), but later in 2012 saw an acrimonious split with vocalist Michael Eden. Whilst Eden's immediate replacement didn't work out, they're currently working on a new album and will announce their new vocalist in plenty of time for their long-awaited appearance at Firefest in October.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

A relatively new name on the scene, The Magnificent are a collaboration between two Scandinavians who not only come from different countries, but also from different musical genres. Norwegian singer Michael Eriksen has been lauded as one of the best voices in Progressive Metal with his band Circus Maximus, whilst producer and guitarist Torsti Spoof is best known for his work with Finnish melodic rockers Leverage, and together they released a debut album of soaring, keyboard-drenched melody that was one of the surprise successes of 2011. Helped by other members of both their bands, Michael and Torsti are looking forward to playing their first ever live shows together later this year.


SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER 2013


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

After the failure of their band Brunette to secure a major record deal, brothers Johnny and Joey Gioeli fell on their feet by hooking up with bassist Todd Jensen, drummer Deen Castronovo and Journey guitarist Neal Schon to form Hardline. Their 1991 debut album has since become a melodic hard rock classic with iconic tunes like 'Hot Cherie', 'Rhythm Of A Red Car' and 'Dr Love', but unfortunately didn't sell well enough to keep the band together. In 2002 the Gioeli brothers returned with a new line up that included ex-The Storm guitarist Josh Ramos, and released 'II' before going underground again after the release of a live album a year later. Singer Johnny Gioeli and guitarist Ramos came back again in 2009 with the excellent 'Leaving The End Open' and yet another new line-up released the 'Danger Zone' album in 2012, Gioeli this time backed by members of Eden's Curse and Mitch Malloy's Italian band. The live band will feature the returning Josh Ramos as well as monster drummer Mike Terrana and keyboard player Alessandro DelVecchio, as Hardline return to the UK to headline day two of Firefest.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Kansas City's finest, Shooting Star began their musical journey in various bands in the late sixties before guitarist Van McLain and singer/guitarist/keyboardist Gary West joined forces to become the first US band to be signed by Richard Branson's Virgin label. The sextet built up quite a following in the American mid-west through their classy pomp/AOR albums 'Shooting Star' (1980), 'Hang On For Your Life' (1981), 'III Wishes' (1982) and 'Burning' (1983), later signing to Geffen records for the popular 'Silent Scream' in 1985. Since their major label days released have been few and far between, with West leaving the band in the late 80s to be replaced by Keith Mitchell for the musically upbeat 'It's Not Over' and 'Leap Of Faith' in 1991 and 2000 respectively, as well as several compilations and a live CD. After suffering vocal problems Mitchell had to forego involvement with their last studio album, 'Circles' in 2006, his place taken by ex-The Storm/Two Fires/707 singer Kevin Chalfant, but Mitchell has since rejoined McLain, as has original drummer Steve Thomas, to bring their distinctive style to a UK stage for the very first time.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Formed in New Jersey back in 1983, Trixter arrived at their most stable line-up in 1988 when bassist P J Farley joined mainstays Pete Loran (vocals/guitar), Steve Brown (lead guitar) and Mark 'Gus' Scott (drums). Signing a deal with MCA/Mechanic, their 1990 debut album hit the US top 30 and earned them a gold disc, followed two years later by 'Hear!' Unfortunately the switch of interest in the media, to what was happening in Seattle, all but killed the initial interest in their sophomore release, but the band tried to carry on, independently releasing the 'Undercovers' album in 1994 before disbanding to concentrate on other things. However, a surge of interest in 2008 resulted in two new tracks being recorded for the 'Alive In Japan' live CD and the same year a 'Best Of Trixter' was released, accompanied by some live dates by the original recording line-up. The band came storming back last year with the excellent 'New Audio Machine' CD, so it should come as no surprise that an appearance at the premier UK melodic rock festival should bring the band right back in the public eye.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Treat were one of the main bands in the Scandinavian melodic hard rock boom of the mid 80s, erupting from Stockholm with their 'Scratch & Bite' album in 1985 and 'The Pleasure Principle' the following year. Their iconic 'Dreamhunter' album took the name of Treat around the globe, with 1989's 'Organized Crime' gaining them a worldwide release and prestigious tours. However, the loss of singer Robert Ernlund in 1991 stalled their momentum and things didn't pick up sufficiently after the release of their self-titled album a year later, the band calling it a day soon after. Fast forward thirteen years and growing domestic interest resulted in live dates with original members Robert Ernlund and Anders Wikstrom (guitars/keys), as well as long-term drummer Jamie Borger and keyboard player Patrick Appelgren, the band put out 'Weapons Of Choice', a compilation CD that featured two new songs and an unreleased one. Treat appeared at Firefest twice, returning to the studio for the awesome 'Coup De Grace' CD in 2010, and because they've announced their desire to disband immediately after this year's Firefest, it'll be the one and only chance to hear songs from their best album played live.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Philadelphia natives Heaven's Edge were hand picked from popular local bands like Network and Stikki Sweet and followed their peers Cinderella and Britny Fox in gaining themselves a major deal with Columbia. Their 1990 debut remains one of the best and most varied slabs of hard rock from that era, built upon the inventive guitar work of Reggie Wu and Stephen Parry, Dave Rath's pounding drums and the thumping bass of George 'G.G' Guidotti, with former Network bassist Mark Evans confidently stepping up into the role of frontman. Like a lot of the bands listed here, it was sadly the wrong place and wrong time for Heaven's Edge, although they did get as far as sessions for a slightly lighter second album, which were eventually released by MTM in 1999 along with some newer recordings. The band called it a day in 2002 but remained friends, so when the Rock Candy label released a remastered version of their Neil Kernon-produced debut, it was just a question of pestering them to play at Firefest until they eventually agreed to do it.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Toronto trio Von Groove came together in the early 90s after amassing a wealth of writing and recording credits with artists like Triumph, Kim Mitchell and Boston. Vocalist/drummer Mike Shotton, guitarist Mladen and bassist/keyboardist Matthew Gerrard were sent to L.A. to work with producer Richie Zito, but he only ended up producing a handful of tracks on their awesome 1992 debut, with the band finishing off the rest. It was three years until their next album, the darker and more organic sounding 'Rainmaker', but by 1997 they'd gone back towards the sound of the debut for the Japan-only release 'Mission Man', which was later released in Europe with a few different tracks under the name of 'Chameleon'. The same year, 'Test Of Faith' showed a lighter AOR direction, followed by '3 Faces Past' with its acoustic versions of some of their songs. Both 'Driving Off The Edge Of The World' (2000) and 'The Seventh Day' (2001) have some very strong moments but by the latter Matthew Gerrard had left to pen million-selling pop hits in L.A. and Mladen left to concentrate on Final Frontier and session work. The band played a couple of festivals in the UK around the turn of the millennium and Mike Shotton came over a few years ago to play Von Groove songs with a UK-based band, but Firefest will be the first time he and Mladen will have played together in over a decade.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Probably the least well-known band on this year's Firefest bill, Swedish melodic metallers Nation will undoubtedly provide something a little bit different. Formed in the early 90s by guitarist Johnny Ohlin, singer Isaac Isaacson, keyboard player Kalle Carlsson, drummer Anders Wallberg and peculiarly named bassist Nobby, Nation first entered the CD stores with the superb 'Chased By Time' in 1994. A fine mix of hard rock, neoclassical metal and a hint of prog, the band create hook-filled tunes with impressive musicianship and soaring vocals, which got them noticed by UK label Now & Then who put out the 'Without Remorse' release the following year. If anything 'Without Remorse' was even better and their version of Abba's 'Waterloo' has to be heard to be believed, but apart from a compilation from their two albums released in 1997, nothing more was heard from Nation. Ohlin has continued to have a career in music but jumped at the chance of re-uniting Nation for Firefest 2013.


SUNDAY 20th OCTOBER 2013


BUY (Joe Lynn Turner): AMAZON / PLAY
BUY (Eric Martin): AMAZON / PLAY
BUY (Fergie Frederikson): AMAZON / PLAY
BUY (Deep Purple): AMAZON / PLAY
BUY (Rainbow): AMAZON / PLAY
BUY (Mr. Big): AMAZON / PLAY
BUY (Toto): AMAZON / PLAY

Now, where to start? Legends is a collaboration between three of rock's most distinctive voices; Eric Martin, Joe Lynn Turner and Fergie Frederiksen. Eric started his recording career with the Eric Martin Band, who released one album (the excellent 'Sucker For A Pretty Face') before the band split and he released a brace of soulful AOR records. In 1988 he got together with drummer Pat Torpey, bassist Billy Sheehan and guitarist Paul Gilbert to form Mr Big, becoming massively successful with their second album 'Lean Into It' and worldwide number one single 'To Be With You'. Mr Big had a few successful years and big selling studio and live albums before breaking up in 2002, at which point Eric resumed his solo career, only for the band to reform in 2009 and continue where they left off with the impressive 'What If..'.

Joe Lynn Turner cut his teeth with RCA act Fandango, who cut four albums between 1977 and 1980 ('Cadillac' is a closet AOR classic!) before being head hunted by Richie Blackmore for his band Rainbow. Joe sang on the albums 'Difficult To Cure' (1981), 'Straight Between The Eyes' (1982), 'Bent Out Of Shape' (1983) and 'Final Vinyl' (1986) and huge hits like 'I Surrender', 'Stone Cold', 'Spotlight Kid' and 'Street Of Dreams'. After his Rainbow years he's amassed too many albums to mention, with numerous solo discs and collaborations with, amongst others, Yngwie Malmsteen, Brazen Abbot, Glenn Hughes, Mother's Army, Deep Purple, and most recently, Sunstorm.

Dennis 'Fergie' Frederiksen also has an interesting story to tell. He replaced his friend Tommy Shaw in his pre-Styx band MS Funk, sang on the awesome debut album by cult pomp rockers Trillion, released a poppy solo album as David London and then joined a 1981 version of Gregg Giuffria's Angel alongside future collaborator Ricky Phillips. After narrowly missing out on replacing a sick Dave Bickler on Survivor's 'Eye Of The Tiger' album he replaced the departed Jeff Pollard in Le Roux, singing on their killer AOR record 'So Fired Up'. He was in the process of getting a band with Ricky Phillips signed when he was unexpectedly asked by his friend Jeff Porcaro to audition for Toto, getting the gig (ironically he beat Eric Martin to the post!) and singing on their much-loved 'Isolation' album. Since then he's had periods out of the music business but still put out the Frederiksen-Phillips album, Federiksen-Denander, his solo albums 'Equilibrium' and 'Happiness Is The Road' and many guest spots with Radioactive, Mecca, AOR, Northern Light and Voices Of Classic Rock.

With a top-class band put together by resident Firefest axe hero Tommy Denander, Eric, Joe and Fergie will be concentrating on their hits with Mr Big, Rainbow & Toto, so you can rest assured that every song will be a classic.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Original guitarist Jan Kuehnemund first formed Vixen whilst still at school in 1980, but it would be 1983 before singer Janet Gardner joined the group, with ex-Madam X drummer Roxy Petrucci joining in 1986 and bassist Share Pedersen a year later. Signing to EMI, their self-titled 1988 debut album was a big success, with 'Edge Of A Broken Heart', 'Cryin'' and 'Love Made Me' all released as MTV-friendly singles. In 1990 the follow-up 'Rev It Up' rocked a little harder and featured more self-written songs, and although Vixen continued to tour, the arrival of grunge soon made the quartet one of the bands that were underperforming in their record company's eyes. A period of inactivity was followed in 1998 by 'Tangerine', but Kuehnemund and Pedersen were long gone and the darker album saw Gardner and Petrucci joined by ex-Poison Dollys guitarist Gina Stile and a session bass player. At the behest of MTV the most famous line-up were reunited for a tour in 2004, but that again fizzled out and Kuehnemund formed her own version of Vixen that continues to this day. Unable to use the name, Janet Gardner, Roxy Petrucci and Share Ross (formerly Pedersen) have reunited with Gina Stile to play the songs you know and love.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

US rockers Baton Rouge went under many names after forming in 1986 and were still called Cheetah when guitarist Kelly Keeling and singer Lance Bulen relocated from their native Mississippi to Los Angeles in 1987. And no, that wasn't a typo, Keeling and Bulen actually swapped roles within the band later on, picking up drummer Corky McClellan and bassist Scott Bender along the way, hooked up with songwriter and producer Jack Ponti (Bon Jovi, Surgin) and signed an abortive deal with MCA. Switching to Atlantic and adding guitarist/keyboardist David Cremin, they recorded the superb 'Shake Your Soul' in 1990, following it up with 'Lights Out In The Playground' the following year, with former Keel guitarist Tony Palmucci replacing the short-lived Cremin. The second album failed to sell and the band split up, with Keeling and Ponti reuniting for a self-titled Baton Rouge CD back in 1997. All members went onto other things, especially Keeling who joined Blue Murder and toured with John Norum, Michael Schenker, Dokken and George Lynch before landing a lucrative role with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The 'Shake Your Soul' line-up of Baton Rouge reunited in 2009 for Rocklahoma and will do so again for Firefest X, for which we are eternally grateful.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Formed in Gothenburg in the mid 80s by guitarist Tony Borg, Alien were successful in the native Sweden straight out of the gate with their third single, a cover of the Marbles 'Only One Woman', which spent six weeks at the top of the Swedish chart. Their 1988 debut album also did well, but surprisingly Jidhed left not long after, his place taken by Pete Sandberg, who sang two songs on a radically different international release of the album. By the time the tougher sounding 'Shiftin' Gear' came out in 1990 Borg was the only original member left, and that became a pattern throughout their career with Sandberg replaced by Daniel Zangger Borch for the self-titled album and 1995 release 'Crash', and other musicians coming and going on a yearly basis. In 1997 'Best And Rare' was a fine double CD of singles, b-sides, demos and alternate mixes. Jidhed returned for a new CD called 'Dark Eyes' in 2005 but it would be 2010 before original bassist Ken Sandin, drummer Toby Tarrach and keyboard player Jimmy Wandroph returned for the third time for festival shows in Sweden and at Firefest in the UK. Eighteen months on, Alien's performance is still talked about in revered tones, so bringing them back this year was a no-brainer.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

New Jersey pomp rockers Prophet gained a cult following with their Kansas/Styx-influenced 1985 debut album and are especially notable for having Danger Danger singer Ted Poley on drums throughout that period. Singer Dean Fasano and Ted Poley left before a label switch from RCA to Megaforce/Atlantic and the iconic 'Cycle Of The Moon' album in 1988, for which core members Scott Metaxas (bass/vocals), Ken Dubman (guitars) and Joe Zujkowski (keys) were joined by drummer Michael Sterlacci and ex-Surgin singer Russell Arcara. The nucleus of the band stayed together for the more hard rock-oriented 'Recycled' in 1991 but the band faded away soon after. After a couple of reunion shows last year (sadly Joe Zujkowski and original singer Dean Fasano are no longer with us) it was only right that they be invited to Firefest, and a line up that includes Russell Arcara, Scott Metaxas, Ken Dubman and 'Recycled' drummer Jim Callahan, will surely be one of the hits of the festival.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Hailing from Niagara Falls in Southern Ontario, singer Gerry McGhee, guitarist Greg Fraser, bassist Stevie Skreebs, drummer Mark Cavarzan and keyboard player Martin Victor changed their name to Brighton Rock just after making the finals of Toronto radio station Q107's Homegrown talent competition. Their first release was a self-titled mini LP in 1986 and by the time Victor had been replaced by keyboard player/guitarist Johnny Rogers they'd already recorded their debut album 'Young, Wild & Free'. The well-received 'Take A Deep Breath' arrived in 1988 and the band made their first foray into Europe, but the usual label problems meant that it was 1991 by the time they released their next album, the heavier 'Love Machine', Rogers had left the band. They split up soon after, reforming at various points for a few shows and the live recording 'A Room For 5 Live' in 2002. Thankfully their triumphant set at Firefest 2012 has energized the band and they should have their first studio album in 22 years available when they come back this October.


BUY: AMAZON / PLAY

Current favourites of the melodic rock scene, Stockholm's Eclipse first came to our attention back in 2001 when the fresh faced youngsters put out their debut album 'The Truth And A Little More'. Singer Erik Martensson, guitarist Magnus Henriksson, bassist Frederik Folkare and drummer Magnus Ulfstedt were barely out of their teens, but made a hard rock album that showed enough potential for Italian label Frontiers to pick them up for their next album, 'Second To None'. With Martensson busy with many other projects it would be 2008 before he and Henriksson, the two surviving members, released 'Are You Ready To Rock', an album that defined their new, harder sound and resulted in universal acclaim. Eclipse began to play live more regularly and Martensson became an in demand writer and producer on a series of high profile projects, but in 2012 Eclipse, now with drummer Robben Back and keyboard player Johan Berlin firmly in the ranks, released the impressive 'Bleed & Scream'. Making their second visit to Firefest, three quarters of the band will also be doing double duty with W.E.T.