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I Set My Friends on Fire

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I Set My Friends on Fire
Matt Mehana with Joe Nelson, at Vans Warped Tour 2011
Matt Mehana with Joe Nelson, at Vans Warped Tour 2011
Background information
OriginMiami, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Years active2007–present
Labels
Members
  • Matt Mehana
  • Chris Thompson
  • Connor Mitchener
  • Jimmy Bennett
Past members

I Set My Friends on Fire (often abbreviated as ISMFOF) is a post-hardcore band from Miami, Florida. The band was formed in 2007 by Matt Mehana and Nabil Moo. The group signed with Epitaph Records before releasing their debut album, You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter, in 2008. Drummer Chris Lent joined the band in 2009. The group's second album, Astral Rejection, was scheduled to be released on June 22, 2010, but it was shelved for a year by Epitaph. Moo left the band in 2010, then Lent left the band. The group's third album, Caterpillar Sex, was announced in 2013 but has never seen a release.

History

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I Set My Friends on Fire EP (2007–2008)

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Matt Mehana and Nabil Moo performed previously in a local band named We Are the Cavalry. After the band disbanded, Mehana and Moo began creating songs under the name I Set My Friends on Fire. Some assumed that the new name was derived from the Aiden song of the same title. However, the group explained they were unaware of this at the time. Mehana has expressed his dismay over fans assuming that they used an Aiden song for their name, stating that Aiden "sucks".[6] They garnered a large audience due in part to MySpace, where their first single, a rendition of Soulja Boy Tell 'Em's "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" (originally entitled "Crank That Cavalry Boy") received more than one million plays.[7][8] The duo's MySpace page was removed three times because the MySpace staff believed that the duo were using software to increase the song's play count.[7] The band released a self-titled EP before releasing their first album. The EP features the songs "Crank That", "ASL", and "Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beerholder".

You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter (2008–2009)

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The duo then signed to Epitaph Records,[9] which released their debut album You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter on October 7, 2008.[7] The album garnered a negative to mixed reception from various critics. You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter reached number 29 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.[10] The song "Things That Rhyme with Orange" was the second single from the album and their third career single.

Works with Smosh (2008–2009)

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On November 21, 2008, the comedy duo Smosh had teamed up with I Set My Friends on Fire and released their first music video and second single, called "Sex Ed Rocks" which had over 20 million views.[11] Later in September 2009, they teamed up yet again and released their second music video and fourth single, entitled "Four Years Foreplay" which attracted over 7 million views.[12] "Four Years Foreplay" featured I Set My Friends On Fire's new drummer Chris Lent from From First To Last.

Astral Rejection and Nabil's Departure (2010–2012)

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I Set My Friends on Fire entered the studio in early 2010 to write and record their second album. The group performed at The Bamboozle music festival in New Jersey on May 1, 2010, and then entered the studio for a second time on June 2, 2010, to finish their upcoming album.

On July 20, 2010, Matt explained in a YouTube interview that Nabil had left the band to focus on school and to be with his family.[13]

The first single from the album, "Excite Dyke", was released exclusively via digital download on June 15, 2010, as part of a new Epitaph compilation CD entitled "New Noise Vol. 1".[14][15]

The full album Astral Rejection was released and streamed on ISMFOF's website on June 16, 2011.[16] Astral Rejection was released in stores on June 21, 2011.[17] On July 18, the music video for "It Comes Naturally" was released on YouTube directed by Nicholas Lent and co-founder and ex-member Nabil Moo.[18]

Caterpillar Sex (2013–2017)

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In September 2015, Mehana announced that the band had a new line up featuring former members of The Bunny The Bear. In November, the band departed on their first tour in over three years. They toured consistently for the next nine months, playing over 150 shows in 24 countries.

Mehana had started releasing several demos for a new album entitled Caterpillar Sex. These demos showed a much more experimental side, being almost completely electronic with no real drums, and very little guitar. Caterpillar Sex was postponed many times, with Mehana stating that his style kept changing. The album was slated to be released on July 21, 2017, and was expected to contain 24 tracks. Its first single, entitled "The Vision and Scarlet Witch," was released on June 28, 2017. According to the band's official Facebook page, the album has still gone unreleased, no reason has been given, but issues with their label at the time are a likely culprit.

My Uzi Holds A Hundred Round Conscience (2017)

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On December 9, 2016, the band announced on their Facebook page that they have signed to Tragic Hero Records and have released the first single from their upcoming fourth studio album My Uzi Holds A Hundred Round Conscience. A music video was also filmed for the single. The band toured the US, Canada, Europe, and Russia in early 2017. They announced that they were going to be on the first ever Tragic Hero Records Tour as direct support for The Dead Rabbitts in June and July. The album was scheduled for July 21 but had been pushed to Fall due to unforeseen "production issues", as of December 2019 neither this album or Caterpillar Sex have seen release.

10 Years Of Slaughter, fourth record, Original Astral Rejection, Caterpillar Sex update (2018–present)

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In January 2018, the band announced that they would be doing a 10 Year anniversary tour for "You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter" called 10 Years Of Slaughter tour. Later that week, the band announced their first leg which covered major cities in the US and also announced Kissing Candice and Awaken I am as support. The tour kicked off on February 15 in Pittsburgh and ended March 16th in Oklahoma City. The tour consisted of multiple festival appearances and headline shows in small clubs, which resulted in most dates selling out.

On March 20, the band announced a second leg of the tour which covered major cities in Canada and cities they had previously missed in the US on the first leg. The next day, the Germany-based Metal band Annisokay was announced as direct support. Red Handed Denial and The Funeral Portrait were then announced as the other support bands on this tour.

In April, the band announced they were in the studio recording the rest of the fourth record.

The band went on to tour Europe in October and released a new single titled "Don't Take Me For Pomegranate" featuring rapper Lil Lotus.

In an interview with DEAD PRESS! while touring the UK in 2018,[19] Mehana shared that Epitaph Records' decision to scrap the original version of their second record Astral Rejection caused tension between him and Moo, and that the stress forced him to leave the band. Mehana was then left to handle the writing duties solo, later recruiting Chris Lent of From First To Last into the line-up.

Reportedly, in the same interview, Mehana stated that Epitaph Records have since been in touch with him with the intention of releasing the originally recorded album officially under the name of "O.G. Astral Rejection" or "Original Astral Rejection".

On March 7, 2019, the band confirmed that the shelved and original version of Astral Rejection would get an official release through Epitaph Records on March 29, 2019.[20]

The band has stated that they currently don't have tour plans in the works but they were hoping to tour sometime before the end of 2019. This didn't happen, however.

In May 2019, the band released a mini EP in collaboration with rapper Lil Lotus, entitled Online Now.

On August 19, 2019, the band made a post on Instagram confirming that Caterpillar Sex did still exist and was seemingly in the finishing stages of production.

Musical style

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"Infinite Suck"
"Infinite Suck", the second track on I Set My Friends on Fire's second album, Astral Rejection, demonstrates the band's experimental style and use of electronica characteristics.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

I Set My Friends on Fire is recognized for their experimental musical style. The group blends elements from a variety of genres including electronica, crunkcore, post-hardcore, metalcore, electronicore, alternative metal, screamo, dance-pop, mathcore, and glitch. AllMusic describes the group's style as "a tornado of musical influences and genres".[21]

Band members

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Matt Mehana and Nabil Moo in 2008

Current members

  • Matt Mehana – lead vocals (2007–present), keyboards, programming (2010–present)
  • Chris Thompson – drums (2016–present)
  • Connor Mitchener – bass (2016–present)
  • Jimmy Bennett –  lead guitar, backing vocals (2022–present), rhythm guitar (2018, 2022–present)

Former members

  • Nabil Moo – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, bass, sequencer, programming (2007–2010), drums (2007–2009)
  • Chris Lent – drums (2009–2011), guitar, keyboards, sequencer (2010–2011)[22]
  • Nate Blasdell  – lead guitar, backing vocals (2015–2022)
  • Josh Miller – drums (2015–2016)
  • Jonathan Rosell – rhythm guitar (2015–2017), bass (2015–2016)
  • Hector Bagnod  – rhythm guitar (2017–2022)

Touring members

  • Salem Vex – bass (2024)
  • Cobrette Bardole – lead guitar (2023–present)
  • Paul Felix – bass (2022)
  • Evan Fortgang – lead guitar (2022–2023)
  • Kane Buckley –  guitar (2016–2017), bass (2016)
  • Steven Colaianni – guitar (2017)
  • Cody Wagner – drums (2016)
  • Blake Steiner – guitar (2010–2011)
  • Evan Perry – DJ (2011)
  • Ashton Howarth – guitar (2011)
  • Andrew Tapley – guitar, bass (2011)
  • Matt Mingus – drums (2012)
  • Joe Nelson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2011–2012)
  • Airick Delgado – guitar (2012)
  • August Bartell – drums (2012)

Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums and extended plays

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Date Album Label Peak Chart Position
US Indie US Heat
2008 I Set My Friends on Fire (EP) Self-released — —
You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter Epitaph — 29
2011 Astral Rejection 47 9
2019 Astral Rejection (OG) — —
2019 Online Now! (EP) (w/ Lil Lotus) Death Quartz — —
TBA Caterpillar Sex TBA — —
TBA Forthcoming Fourth Album — —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart, or has not charted yet.

Singles

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Name Release Date Album
"Crank That" September 16, 2008 You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter
"Sex Ed Rocks" November 21, 2008 Non-album single
"Things That Rhyme with Orange" July 22, 2009 You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter
"Four Years Foreplay" September 17, 2009 Non-album single
"Excite Dyke" June 15, 2010 Astral Rejection
"It Comes Naturally" March 22, 2011
"Life Hertz" May 24, 2011
"Astral Rejection" June 14, 2011
"Midwife Toad" April 16, 2013 Caterpillar Sex*
"The "D" in Capitation" September 2, 2013
"My Little Cabbage Planetarium" December 13, 2013
"Pro Seizures" February 27, 2014
"Nobody Wants To Be Parrot Man" May 15, 2014
"Nail Biting Therapy" December 25, 2015
"My Uzi Holds A Hundred Round Conscience" December 9, 2016 TBA
"The Vision and Scarlet Witch" June 28, 2017 Caterpillar Sex
"Don't Take Me For Pomegranate" September 6, 2018 TBA
"Versace Tamagotchi" June 12, 2019 TBA
"2 Short Breaths In 2 Minute Days" June 13, 2020 Non-album single
"Addictions (Juice WRLD Cover)" [23] January 1, 2021 Non-album single
"PURÉE EVIL" [24] February 6, 2023 Non-album single

* these are possible songs to be released on this album, but are not verified

Music videos

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Name Release Date Album
"Sex Ed Rocks"[25] November 21, 2008 Non-album single
"Things That Rhyme With Orange" July 22, 2009 You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter
"Four Years Foreplay" September 17, 2009 Non-album single
"Astral Rejection" June 14, 2011 Astral Rejection
"It Comes Naturally" July 18, 2011
"My Way (Featuring Johnytiger)" (Fetty Wap Cover) September 7, 2015 Non-album single
"My Uzi Holds A Hundred Round Conscience" December 9, 2016 TBA

References

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  1. ^ "I Set My Friends on Fire Sputnik". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  2. ^ "I Set My Friends on Fire Sputnik". Metalmusicarchives. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  3. ^ "I Set My Friends On Fire prove they're marketing geniuses by purchasing the WWWY Festival domain name". The New Fury. January 20, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  4. ^ Cannon, Kristine (November 3, 2017). "I Set My Friends On Fire announce 10-year anniversary tour". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  5. ^ "I Set My Friends on Fire - You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter". AllMusic. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Marchese, David (February 7, 2011). "Why They're Called… I Set My Friends on Fire". spin.com. Billboard Music. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c Castillo, Arielle (September 25, 2008). "Kendall Band I Set My Friends on Fire Makes It Big the MySpace Way". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on September 27, 2008. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
  8. ^ "I Set My Friends on Fire". ilikemusic. April 29, 2008. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
  9. ^ "Set My Friends on Fire sign to Epitaph Records". Skope. April 29, 2008. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
  10. ^ "Heatseekers Albums: Up and Coming Musicians Chart - Billboard". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  11. ^ "I Set My Friends On Fire Teach Kids Safe Sex". epitaph.com. November 24, 2008. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  12. ^ "Smosh: Four Years Foreplay (Feat. I Set My Friends On Fire)". YouTube. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011.
  13. ^ "Nabil Moo Leaves I Set My Friends On Fire".
  14. ^ I Set My Friends On Fire myspace blog post. "Featured Content on Myspace". Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  15. ^ New Demo Featured On New Epitaph Compilation - 'New Noise' Vol. 1
  16. ^ "Stream I Set My Friends On Fire's New Album 'Astral Rejection'". June 16, 2011. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011.
  17. ^ "I Set My Friends On Fire 'Astral Rejection' Out Now". June 21, 2011. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011.
  18. ^ "I Set My Friends On Fire Release New Video For "It Comes Naturally"". July 19, 2011. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011.
  19. ^ "INTERVIEW: I Set My Friends On Fire (20/10/2018)". www.deadpress.co.uk. October 20, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "NEWS: I Set My Friends On Fire to release shelved version of 'Astral Rejection'!". www.deadpress.co.uk. March 7, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  21. ^ Gregory Heaney. "I Set My Friends on Fire". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  22. ^ "Did chris lent leave i set my friends on fire". chacha.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  23. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "I Set My Friends On Fire - Addictions (Juice WRLD Cover) R.I.P Juice". YouTube.
  24. ^ "I Set My Friends on Fire X Berried Alive - PURÉE EVIL". YouTube.
  25. ^ Paul, Aubin (November 25, 2008). "I Set My Friends on Fire: "Sex Ed Rocks"". Retrieved December 18, 2020 – via punknews.org.
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