Heralded by music critics as being one of the best new bands between 2008 and 2009, In Case of Fire were a force to be reckoned. Their only full length release, Align the Planets, was critically acclaimed and stands tall as one of the best releases to come from Northern Ireland.
The following years were challenging for the band, with a split from their management and the failure to record their second album leading to the band going on hiatus. There was excitement when In Case Of Fire reformed in 2016 and returned to the live arena with a full play through of Align the Planets. Since then aside from a few sporadic demos, things have been quiet in the camp.
That changed earlier this year with the release of not one but two new singles from the band as well as intimate live show in the Union Bar. With further releases planned and a headline performance on the hallowed Empire stage on the horizon, we thought it was the ideal opportunity to catch up with the trio.
On previous occasions it looked like the band were done for good. What has prompted it’s revival this time round?
We felt like the band just gradually ground to a halt but we never sat down and decided to call it a day. I started to write some ideas again a couple of years ago and that was the catalyst for us to get back together and make some noise in the practice room. When we did, it just felt right, so we decided to record some tunes and take it from there.
We’ve been fortunate to have two new singles from the band in 2024, should fans be hopeful of a new album in the not too distant future?
All 3 of us love being in the studio and crafting ideas into fully fledged complete songs, so getting the chance to do it again on Prisoner and Rescue Me was a lot of fun. Both tunes were recorded/produced by our good friend Daniel Ball on a very tight budget over a few days/evenings and he did an amazing job.
We’ve a collection of new songs nearly ready to go and would jump at the opportunity to get in with Danny and have more time to create an album, but as everything we do is self-financed these days, we just need to figure out the best way to make it work.
Reflecting back on Align the Planets, do you have a favourite track from the record?
Plan A. I remember having the music written for Plan A and wanting to have lyrics centred around inequality/the civil rights movement and questioning why society holds onto insidious notions from previous generations. I had some ideas for the verses but couldn’t shape a good melody over the chorus guitar line. Col and I spoke about it and wanted to try and push the envelope a little by doing something different.
We had used some JFK samples in linking our setlist live and thought we could maybe integrate a section of Martin Luther King’s immortal speech into Plan A. When we heard it for the first time, we knew it just worked and that it said so much more than anything I could ever hope to sing.
When it came time to record the album properly, we had to write a letter to the representatives of Martin Luther King explaining our reasoning for wanting to use the sample. We were panicking that it would be declined and that Plan A wouldn’t make the album, but thankfully they liked the song and were happy for the speech to be included.
At the time of recording Align the Planets, were there any songs that influenced how it sounded?
Mars Volta – Inertiatic ESP
Muse – Map Of The Problematique
Refused – New Noise
On your latest singles, were there any songs that gave you inspiration?
Manchester Orchestra – Angel Of Death
Cave In – Stained Silver
Eva Cassidy – I Know You By Heart
Although we never got the full length follow up, you’ve release a fair few singles and demos. Is there one that stands out?
Burn the bridges. This was one of the first songs we wrote for our second album which unfortunately was never recorded. It has a main riff which kicks in and lets you know what you’re in for for the next 3 and a half minutes and doesn’t let up.
I don’t like looking back over my lyrics but Burn The Bridges is about making a break from a darkness that was consuming me at the time, so it feels cathartic when I hear it or play it live.
You played your first show in over 8 years earlier this year, how did it feel to bring ICOF back to the stage?
Nerve-wracking! Once we had Prisoner ready to release, we knew we’d need to follow it up with a gig, but it had been so long since we played that it felt like a mountain to climb to even get on stage again. Adam is a seasoned live player and has been continuously playing with other bands/artists in the years since ICOF has been dormant, but Col and I haven’t stepped foot on a stage of any kind in 8 years.
After a few rehearsals the muscle memory kicked back in which helped us relax a little. To actually get to the night and step up in front of what was an unbelievably intimate and friendly crowd who knew our songs, that was a special feeling for the 3 of us.
If you had to pick one, which song is the most enjoyable to play live?
Enemies. No frills, just a flat out punchy rock track.
You’ve supported some huge artists and played at Reading & Leeds so what can fans expect from seeing you live in the Empire?
If you’ve seen us play live before, you’ll know that we like to bring a lot of energy to our shows and will hopefully fill the Empire with huge choruses and a lot of noise! We’ve only had the chance to play the Empire once a long time ago but always hoped to get a chance to play it again.
Thursday 17th is an amazing line up with 4 brilliant local bands and we’re very excited and grateful to Gifted to be a part of it.
In Case Of Fire headline the Belfast Empire on Thursday 17th October 2024. Their edition of the GIFTED showcases also features Lord Jane, VERA and Franklin. Tickets are available here.
