Firestarter - Livin' on the Heat

I first met the guys who became Firestarter when Teengenerate, a wild'n'crazed Japanese punk rock band, played in LA and discovered that they were well-versed in garage rock'n'roll as well as punk rock and knew everyone in the LA garage scene. I kept in touch with them and Fifi, Fink and Sammy (along with new drummer Jimbo) went on to form Firestarter, retaining their ferociousness, but adding a power-pop edge. Along with the melodies, though, the emphasis was on the power - this has some of the heaviest guitars you have ever heard on a pop record! This terrific combination lasted for a couple of records and the results are pretty freakin' amazing!

Huge, chunky guitar chords open their original, "The Beat Goes On", but when the vocals come in, it is true power-pop wonderment! Super catchy, hip guitar licks but never relinquishing the energy. This continues into "She's Red" (the girl's a commie, I think), a riff-laden pop-tune that reminds me a bit of the Records, "Judy Judy Judy" is another ridiculously catchy tune, and they sorta channel the Boys for "Automatic Hero". Really great, harmony/rock'n'roll guitar work here.

"Flying Guillotine" has a bit of a Buzzcocks feel - a little more punk rock with a bit odder melodic twists'n'turns - and "Keen Reaction" is absurdly sing-along/catchy, at least as much as you can do with their somewhat broken English. Crazily enough, the title track almost has hints of Bruce Springsteen among the memorable rockin' roll, but that might just be my imagination! "Modern Raids" is cool punk rock with hot-shot guitar work, "Radio's Are Dead" is pure pop, and then they do a song for me - no kidding! "Rich's Eyes" (especially funny since I wore sunglasses most of the time back then) is ultra-frantic, unadulterated rock'n'roll and a real honor for me to be represented by this number!

Back to anthemic rock'n'roll with "Hard Games", "Don't Mind" is more of a chant-along punk tune written by Fink (as opposed to Fifi, who authored most of the album), giving it a different feel, "Johnny Moped Was Right" is a choppy punker and the record concludes with "Pretty Number", a prerequisite pop song about desiring a girl you've only seen from a distance. 

These cats really knew how to combine the best of rock'n'roll throughout the years and here they really concentrated on the best of 70's hard rock, glitter, punk and yes, power pop. They do their homework and churn out truly creative'n'catchy songs! This is from the early '00's, but find it if you can!

"Rich's Eyes"

Rich's Eyes

Are clear as crystal balls

Rich's eyes just set my soul on fire

They say "go rock and roll"

Rich's Eyes 

As hard as diamond rocks

They're gonna shine on forever

Rich's eyes never give me no fuck

They're gonna kill those lame rock

(Fifi Firestarter, 2002)