The Present
Unfortunately, 2005 saw the departure of original member and lead guitarist Josh Megyessy (who focused on a career as a gallery owner), and cellist Dana Feder who went on to join national acts Matt Pond PA and Anomie Belle. Suitable replacements were found in Derek Mabra (guitar) and Kristen Antolik (Cello), but within six months both musicians moved elsewhere in the US for other personal commitments. The final blow came when original drummer and long time musical collaborator of Korkidis’, Mike Ushinski moved to New York City. At that same time Alex Maniatis decided to focus more time on his own group Radka.
In the spring of 2006, after contemplating dissolving what was left of the band completely, the main composers and founding members of the group - Shumaker and Korkidis - decided to push forward slowly and carefully, focusing on re-arranging/composing new music, adding strong multi instrumentalists/collaborators from different musical backgrounds, and abandoning the typical ensemble format that they had been using (two guitars, vocals, bass, keys, cellos, and drums) since the group’s inception. On Fire added Clara Kebabian (ex-Jumblies, Emily Grogan) on violin and vocals; Sean Will (ex-Tint, ex-Brass Monkeys) on trumpet/flugelhorn, piano, samples; Nick Knouf on viola and samples, and Alex Mihm on drums. The new sextet maximizes each individual musician and pushes all elements of their original orchestral post rock sound to new levels coming off more immediate, dynamic and cinematic than ever.
In 2008 On Fire decided with the new line-up, altered instrumentation, and new direction to change the name of the group to Eksi Ekso. 2008 marks the emergence of Eksi Ekso, both live and on record, with the long awaited full length I Am Your Bastard Wings due out June 10 on VA’s Magic Bullet Records, with subsequent tours following.
Read more about this topic: On Fire (band)
Famous quotes containing the word present:
“‘Tis the world-old way of the rain
When it comes to a mountain farm
To exact for a present gain
A little of future harm.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“Politics is still the man’s game. The women are allowed to do the chores, the dirty work, and now and then—but only occasionally—one is present at some secret conference or other. But it’s not the rule. They can go out and get the vote, if they can and will; they can collect money, they can be grateful for being permitted to work. But that is all.”
—Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876–1958)