My rock n' roll insanity began in 1975 with the ever inspirational "Kiss Alive" album and a couple of years later with AC/DC. So, as they say, the rest is history. I rocked through the 80's with a couple of different bands playing all the 80's hard rock and metal I could find. Around '95 I joined Slick Machine and was a member of the band for about 9 years. My influences range from the simplistic and solid playing of Peter Criss (KISS) and, of course, Phil Rudd (AC/DC) to the power drumming of Tommy Aldridge (Ted Nugent, Ozzy), Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P) and Fritz Randow (Sinner, Victory). I also crave the technical side of Mike Portnoy ( Dream Theater) and Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche) to the all out double bass assault of Bobby Jarzombeil (Riot, Rob Halford), Jorg Michael (Stratovarius) and Uli Kusch (Helloween). Last but not least, I admire the shear determination of Rick Allen (Def Leppard). A one armed drummer--you gotta love it! So there you have it, my little notch in rock n' roll history. Thanks for your support. The boys and I will see you on the road. Metal on and keep it heavy!
Fernando is of Chilean descent and without a doubt, a rocker. He is old enough and was lucky enough to be a teenager from the late 70's to early 80's and was influenced in his playing by the era of the “lead guitar virtuoso”. It was a time when someone would write a difficult guitar riff and play turned away from the audience so it couldn't be copied… yeah… it didn't work. Guys of the like of Ace Frehley, George Lynch, Eddie Van whatever-his-last-name-is and Alex Lifeson were key in molding his guitar technique. He holds a special place in his heart for KISS, since they are the reason he plays guitar still today. If you ever see his basement, you'll understand the passion. His perfect guitar will never be built. When he plays a guitar, the first thing he looks at is the neck. If he likes it, he can work with it. No preference in guitar amplifiers either. With all the technology out in the market, gear can be mixed and matched to try to achieve perfect tone (if you ever find “perfect” tone, please call him right away).
Personally, Fernando is a pretty mellow person, yet one of the busiest people he knows. He's also one to not pull any punches. Typically, he calls things the way he sees them because he believes “beating around the bush” is a technique that ends up wasting valuable time for everyone. He also has no patience for self-serving, irresponsible and lazy people. That said, he values friendships and is very loyal to those he considers his friends. Drugs running your life? Take a hike.
He yearns for the day when hard rock and metal reigns over the airwaves once again (no, not that crap they try to label as “metal” today). Until then, the CD player will be his peace…….
Jason Wetzel began playing guitar in grade school when he discovered heavy metal. Mostly self taught, Jason continued playing guitar and bass with vocal groups through high school. During college, he played bass with a group of friends known as Mother Nature's Eyeball. Their music consisted mostly of classic and alternative rock. Mother Nature's Eyeball produced an independent CD consisting of roughly 15 original songs. Following a five-year layoff after college, Jason was plucked from the depths of a deep, dark ditch to resurrect his bass and join Open Fire. This was, and still is, a great opportunity for Jason to play the music he loves and to play with some truly talented musicians who know how to play and have a hella good time. The genre of music that Open Fire plays fits perfectly into what Jason has a passion for playing, influenced by bands such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Tesla, Kiss, Motley Crue, Rush, and many other bands of the eighties.
Dave MacKenzie picked up the guitar when he was fourteen years old as a means not to be bored while visiting his parents friends on weekend getaways to the mountains. His oldest brother Chuck already knew the basics to playing guitar, and gave Dave a hand teaching him chords. From there Dave was hooked. Learning songs by ear off recordings from bands like Styx, Chicago, Ted Nugent, even Roy Clark(Hee Haw), Dave began to appreciate different playing styles. Joining jazz band in high school added to his knowledge and new player appreciation, like George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, to name a few. Then came Eddie Van Halen and Dave was never the same. Dave soon joined playing in his brother's band for a while, then joined a high school rock band when he was a senior in school. Moving forward several years dave had put the guitar down every so often to raise his two children. During his four year military career, Dave played in an all military member rock band while stationed in Germany, playing Motley Crue, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, and others. After the military, Dave answered an add in the paper for lead guitarist. That position lasted three great years with the band True North. then Dave felt the need to get slightly more progressive, and joined Left of Center from the northern colorado area. A year later Dave ended up chatting with Slick Machine drummer Dave Klein who was putting together Open fire. the rest is history, sort of. Dave's main influence's are Eddie VanHalen, Dann Huff(giant), Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Tony MacAlpine, and local player Jess Redmon.
I started playing guitar at Age 14 mostly because KISS was the taking the world by force and the saxophone mom bought me made my lips numb! My best friend played drums and we formed “Deadlock”, we had lots of fun in those days and went to as many hair metal concerts as we could. Aqua Net and I became very close friends back in those days. I liked all kinds of bands back then(at least the ones that wore zebra stripes or leopard spots). But, after time and after being in a few bands it became evident that singers were in short supply and guitar playing takes a lot more practice. So, I began singing for bands like Hanover Fist back in Illinois.
After, rocking with them for a few years and making lots of great memories I moved to Chicago. I had just gotten outta college, hard rock had fallen outta favor and so I retired my spandex and guitar for a good decade or more. I worked in cubicles, I wore pleated pants, shirts with little pictures on the pocket, cut my hair… but something deep inside me yearned to rock once again. After moving to Colorado my wife and I caught Open Fire opening for Warrant at the Yukon. If I could find a band like that, I’d totally do it again. Imagine my surprise when I got the call from Dave a year later! “Hi Steve, this is Dave”. So I joined the band and haven’t looked back. Bob Seger was right- “Rock and Roll Never Forgets”! Thank God!