Kids on Fire is an explosive, hi-energy band from Seattle, Washington. They sweat passion and strum lightning bolts and have been doing so for almost two decades, establishing themselves as a pillar of the Seattle punk community. They're known for playing melodic, emotional, streetpunk in a way that's both familiar and unique to raise fists and light up pits. I was extremely excited when I shot some images of them at their Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and they agreed to answer some burning questions I've had about their history, approach, sound, and plans. Check it out:
I feel like 2023 was a big year for Kids on Fire and we’ll talk about those key moments in a bit, but first congratulations to all of you for not just making it through “one more night,” but one more year….and you’ve spent quite a few years together. Can we start by sharing a bit about who each of you are, what you do in the band, and how you came to be part of the band?
Mikey:
Mikey- guitar and vocals; I’m the grumpy one. I met Jonny through our homie Andy back in the mid-2000’s at a Halloween party, we started a band then and later, it eventually evolved into Kids on Fire.
Jonny- guitar and vocals; he’s the chill one. Basically the same story as Mikey. We both had bands that didn’t work out, started jamming with our buddy, and later down the road we started Kids on Fire.
Kevin- Drums and backing vocals, and booking (he’d be hurt inside if I didn’t mention that); he’s the one with the never ending dad jokes; Kevin had been coming out shows in the punk scene for a while, and was always at our shows, so when we’re looking for a drummer in 2018, he tried out, and we haven’t been able to shake him since, haha. He really helped kick things into overdrive for us for sure when he came on board.
Sam- Bass and backing vocals; he’s the young one with chaotic energy. Kind of a similar story to Kevin actually. He had been playing in the punk scene for a few years before he joined us, and we’d played a handful of shows with his old band.
Sam:
RIP Everything Sux
Mikey:
It came about that he was looking for a new project and we were needing a bass player, and he decided to make the jump from guitar to bass, and he blew us away with how much dedication he put into it.
Rachel- social media & merch; she’s the band mom that keeps all of us idiots in line. We met Rachel sometime in 2018, after Kevin came on board. Kevin and Rachel were friends, and Rachel started helping out with running our merch, and eventually started helping out with the business side of things. She is a big part of the success with the band and we can’t imagine her not being with us.
There are key parts of the band that have been consistent over the years, but this feels like the most stable line-up…would you say that’s true?
Kevin:
I don't know that this is the longest standing line-up, but I do feel like this is the most driven lineup we have had in terms of wanting to push the band to the next level and continue the grind that is required to make that happen.
Mikey:
Jonny and I have definitely been the two constants in the band (and obviously the oldest farts in the band), being the primary songwriters of the group, but yea, I would say this is probably the most stable line-up, in that everyone here is on the same wavelength in terms of goals, direction and commitment that we want for this band. Things have been really clicking creatively and on the performance side of things, and that feels good. We are all on the same page as what we want to achieve, and where we’d like to see things go. Plus, we’ve all been in a van with one another on multiple tours and still wanna hang out with each other afterwards, so yea, pretty stable, haha!
Jonny:
I would agree with Mikey that this is the most driven lineup of the band. And that’s not to say that any of the other members we’ve had over the years were not all in. I just think that in the early years of the band our goals were not as defined as they are now. All of us have played in other bands through varying degrees of success. This band has always been my baby, with the direction and songwriting being something that I am directly involved in, and help steer. Other bands I’ve played with usually were already established, and I was there to contribute, but my influence was not the same as it is in this band.
So, let’s talk about your sound…you’ve been described as “melodic streetpunk.” And I hear a lot of the “icons of punk” in your sound, like Bouncing Souls, Against Me!, Bad Religion, etc. What does Melodic Streetpunk mean to you and what pushes your sound forward?
Kevin:
It's an honor to be compared to the likes of any of the afore mentioned bands as they all are influences on us in one way or another.
We jokingly, but also seriously call ourselves Bummer Core, which is reallu just a verison of melodic punk.
The best way to describe what we write is depressing lyrics that sound perky.
I like to think that we try to write material that is relatble to anyone who is a regular person.
Anxiety, depression, injustice, bad relationships, these are things most people experience in their life and we like to wrtie about them based on our own experiences in hopes that it resosoantes with even 1 person.
Occasionally we sneak in party song or a song about celebrating the people & places we love.
Mikey:
Definitely love and appreciate those comparisons, as those are for sure bands we’ve grown up listening to and are influential to our sound for sure.
I feel like we’ve definitely had a few different descriptors that we’ve heard from people; melodic punk, street punk, pop punk, orange county-style punk, street pop, etc…we used to describe our music as bummer-core, because we always seemed to write songs that were poppy and upbeat in nature, but lyrically were just about the crappier sides of day to day life…the anxiety and depression, etc etc. However, I would say melodic punk is probably the best description of our style, as we draw from all aspects of punk rock, to the raw and angry, the poppy and upbeat, and even the post-punk emo side of things. although, we’ll always be bummer-core in our hearts, haha.
As far as pushing our sound forward, it’s just allowing ourselves to evolve as musicians and find ways of allowing ourselves to incorporate more aspects of music that we like into our songs. We all have interests outside of punk rock, and over time, those things are going to seep into your songwriting, and allow yourself to evolve as a musician and songwriter. It’s a fine balance of keeping hold of your roots but also allowing yourself to grow and evolve.
We also take inspiration for our homies in the punk scene in general…it’s a pretty fantastic scene and seeing things some of those folks are doing is inspiring.
Sam:
I was just stoked to have someone give us the The Loved Ones comparison. But overall, I find that there is a pretty versatile approach to the music and lyricism where no matter what, you'll find yourself wanting to sing along and dance in a circle with others!
Jonny:
To be even put in the same sentence with any of those bands is a huge honor for me and I know for the rest of the guys. I personally feel like our sound is a mix of pop hooks and heavier chord progressions. We can lean one way or the other, depending on the song. I think everybody’s individual eclectic tastes in music finds a good balance when we start to write. I agree with Mikey that it’s hard to pinpoint. We just know when it is a Kids On Fire song. There are elements and parts that have to be there. But I think that just comes naturally, from the four of us being in a room. I’ve always liked the idea of rock ‘n’ roll that can musically and rhythmically put you into an emotional place, but with the contrasting lyrics to energize or highlight the emotion of the song. So basically, a pop sounding song that deals with heavier subject matter. That’s essentially how a lot of our songs come out. It’s really kind of natural because I think we all can be self-deprecating but also wanting to not give up and to find the positive. The songs can be a real bummer, but at the same time, kind of uplifting or motivating with the music. I personally take a lot of influence from bands like Off with their Heads, who meld difficult subject matter with fun 4 chord punk. It hits emotionally. And then taking a lot of influence from the relatable subjects that bands like Bouncing Souls, Social Distortion, Cock Sparrer and Swingin Utters write about. Gritty and real, but fun, driving and positive too.
Who are some of the current, underappreciated bands that are inspiring you now?
Kevin:
Mikey:
The drowns, the Disorderlies, parker, ol Doris, fox hole normon, Land of Wolves, Bugs, Dead Streets, Well Adjusted, Year of the Fist... Honestly too many to name…the PNW punk rock scene is mighty and strong! Go out and see some shows, you won’t regret it!
Sam:
In addition, I'd like to add Storm Boy (heh), One Drink and Other Lies!, Mutual Stoke, the Scoffs, Head Honcho, Trash Sound Conglomerate, Filthy Traitors, Subjunctives, Kaizo, Boxcutter, and many more!
Jonny:
Every band that has been mentioned I agree with 100% Honestly, I think we all feel very lucky to be surrounded by so many talented, an amazing people and bands. There’s a reason that the Pacific Northwest is well known for great music. We feel very lucky to be a part of it.
Family, community, the punk scene are recurring motifs in your writing. While your single “This is Family” really speaks to that community aspect, can you
expand on what the community means to you and how we can improve the scene?
Kevin:
Community means standing by and standing up for friends and family and sticking by the people who you care about even when others are ready to abandon them.
It means, being inclusive and welcoming to the next generation and also willing to look at your generation and ask if you can be doing better.
I think we could definitely do a better job of integrating the different scenes more and diversifying the shows we book and try to book more at spaces that favoring including all ages shows.
Mikey:
Community is everything; if we don’t have each other’s backs in this punk community then nothing works. It should be about lifting each other up, not step on each other’s backs to get ahead. For me, this scene was super important and places like the kraken bar, the victory lounge, the old funhouse…those places and those communities were and are important, because they provide a place for everyone to feel like they belong and to feel home. That’s what community is for me…we stand by each other and have each other’s backs.
Ways to improve the scene is fostering more diversity, from the perspectives and outlooks in the bands and music to making sure each of the shows is known to be a safe place for everyone to come and experience. The scene is definitely more diverse than when we started, but it can always get better, and I believe it will continue to do so.
Sam:
Being Korean American, I always found myself feeling weird for liking punk music since I traveled a lot and didn't really feel I fit anywhere well until I went to college and really started playing in bands more. Punk just really solidified that it was okay to make my own identity and be unapologetic when I've had comments about how I should be “one or the other” when it came to my cultural identity. I choose to be a whole different experience!
When I came to Seattle, I was eager to play music and find this amazing scene with my previous band.
Having come to love this scene, it's important to check in on one another, stand up for the little guy and to have the courage to shut down harmful behaviors and to have tough convos. A community cannot grow without doing either, at least I think so.
Jonny:
Honestly, I don’t know where I would be without punk rock. When I was a kid, I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere. But when I found the Punk and hardcore community I finally felt like I
belonged somewhere. I think everybody that’s into the things that we’re into can remember the moment where they discovered it. Every direction my life has taken since I found a home in punk rock has been directly related. I was exposed to new and exciting ideas, politics, beliefs, music, and art. I am a tattoo artist by trade, and I can absolutely connect the dots that led me to my career. And it all connects to finding the DIY community. To me the Punk scene has always been a safe space for people who feel like outcasts in society… Whatever that might mean. There was always an open armed feeling of acceptance no matter who you are or where you come from. Everybody is equal. Over the last few years it’s been disheartening seeing the division and people with hateful attitudes infiltrating the Punk and hardcore scenes. To me punk is not about hate or nihilism… it’s about acceptance, change and action.
This connects to the previous question, we talked a little bit about the history of the band, and I’d like to pick that up again…as mentioned, we brought up how long you’ve been playing together and your connection to the scene. How has the scene evolved over the years?
Kevin:
In the 10 years i've been in seattle, i've seen multiple venues go under that at one point were pinnacles of the local punk scene.
The scene has become more divers and open arms to new bands people who aren't already part of the community.
People are less likely to sweep problematic behavior under the rug, which is great, but some times it's to a performative level.
Overall the scene is still alive and well and ever thriving, but it feels sometime slike we have to scrap more and more to hold onto that places that support the punk scene and allow it to thrive.
I still think Seattle has one fo the healthiest and strongest punk scenes in the US.
Mikey:
The scene over the years has been finding ways to survive. Our resources in venues and places to play has been dwindling over the years, but thankfully, the people in this community refuse to let it just die. It would be awesome if the city helped support and foster the music scene that it loves to use so proudly when promoting the city, but we can’t count on that, so the community finds ways to make it happen, and thank you to those amazing folks who bust their asses to keep it going.
Sam:
Having seen bands come and go and with new ones popping up often, it's a constantly evolving world and I'm so glad to see newer bands come up. Life happens but you also maintain connections with those that went a different direction and foster new connections with other amazing people in this scene! Punk ebbs and flows but I don't ever see it truly dying out.
Jonny:
There’s always been a strong sense of community in the Seattle and PNW music scene. I do feel like it can be splintered by neighborhoods and genre sometimes, but we all know each other and support each other. I often hear things about other scenes in other cities where there is not that same level of support. So I think we are all very grateful for the level of love and respect everyone gives each other here. I think over the years, the main issue has been the loss of many important and legendary spaces to play music. I know that’s happening pretty much all over the country… but it’s especially rough in Seattle and Portland. But whenever one club closes down, everyone rallies to a new spot. It’s a bummer that Seattle is so well known for music, yet the city itself doesn’t seem to support the local underground where all of these legendary bands came from. Hopefully the city council and arts divisions can be more supportive of one of its biggest draws. Until then we’re gonna keep fighting to keep our spaces.
I mentioned your single “This is Family” from your newest release “The Best of the Worst of Times,” the whole of which is a banger, I hope you’re proud of it, but it’s been in the works for awhile. Can you tell us about how it came to be?
Kevin:
This was really mainly written during the shutdown & leading up to it.
Not having any shows to play really gave us the time we needed to sit down and grind out this album and flesh it out.
The Album title really says what the album is at its core.
When all of us collectively and indivudiauuly were going through some pretty rough times, we still try to make the best of it in one way or another.
Mikey:
Yea, the album was definitely a reflection of things happening during the pandemic
shutdown, and surrounding it. It was a crazy and unprecedented time, so a lot of these songs are coming from a more introspective place as we watched what was going on in the world. There were also things going on in our individual lives that we tapped into for sure. For the most part, we just got together at band rehearsals, as that was the only thing we could do safely at the time, and crafted this new album, which was also something different. The previous album was half and half new material and songs that had been around for awhile, so this was a new experience just crafting an entirely new album from beginning to end.
The process of recording and getting it out was a fucking rollercoaster, but that’s a story for another time, but we’re excited to have it out and in peoples hands!
Jonny:
that song really just came out of our growing frustration with alt-right, and old head punks causing issues at shows and online. I think the pandemic really exposed a few people with some really bad and negative beliefs. I felt very disheartened that people I had grown up looking up to had become exactly what they used to rally against. Punk is about thinking for yourself and trying to create something new without being limited. But to me, thinking for yourself, doesn’t mean adopting conservative or hateful values. There was a lot of misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and racism in punk and hardcore in the old days. And nazi punks were usually driven out of shows or fought with. When I was younger, it was pretty much a given that if you showed up with hateful intentions or beliefs you were gonna get into a fight. And that was true then and it’s still true now. A lot of these fence walkers that long for the old days when punk was better to them or whatever because it was edgy and
dangerous, and there were no safe spaces are longing for a past that didn’t exist. It just exposes that they have become exactly what they used to fight against which is sad. Not adapting to the positive changes in society is no one’s fault but your own. It’s been an exciting time to see how much more diversity there is in the community now. And it’s an awesome thing that people feel comfortable creating and expressing themselves in these spaces that have been historically sometimes hostile to women, POC and the lgbtqia+ community. Any of these dinosaurs that want to go back to a time when people felt unsafe or uncomfortable are assholes. That song basically is a saying we have zero tolerance for hateful and small minded behavior. We’re a family of misfits who take care of each other, so don't mess with our family. Fuck around and find out.
Speaking of the new album, do you have a sort of process that you go through that helps new songs maintain a specific Kids on Fire sound or does that come naturally? And while we’re at it, looking back at Eaten by Sharks and Kids on Fire Proudly Present… vs the new one are there any songs you’ve previously recorded that you’d like to revisit a la “Taylor’s Take?”
Mikey:
I will say it’s a pretty natural process…I don’t really know how to explain it in great detail, but when you know, you just know, ya know? In all honesty, I don’t even know if I could pin point what the KOF sound is per se…like, I know what it feels like to me, so I guess that’s what I use as a barometer of what works for us and what doesn’t. I mentioned earlier, that I feel like we’ve been evolving as songwriters, so with this album there was definitely a conscious choice to try and incorporate some new things into our sound. It’s probably cheesy as hell to say, but I think as long as it’s the four of us jamming it out in a room, it’s gonna sound like KOF.
As far as revisiting songs from early EPs, we actually did that right after releasing “songs in the key of bummer”, when we had plans to go to Japan for a tour. We had recorded a handful of tracks from both EPs to include as bonus tracks.
While I’ve got you waxing nostalgic about that big release from this past year, you did a couple big tours in 2023- one down the west coast of the US and another around much of the UK and that area of Europe with your homies the Disorderlies. How did those go? What did you learn and what do you think you’ll do differently next time?
Kevin:
The tour went great!
We definitely learned some lesson & There were some suprise cities that floored us.
We will probably try to keep it to 1 band next time as not having a local on most of our bills made it a lot harder to spread the word about shows and build local hyp ine the places that people didn't know us.
Also, I think we were a bit zelous
in our merch expectations, so we will likely pack lighter next time so to speak.
Mikey:
The tours were great, full of fun times and learning experiences, as I think all tours are. This was our first time ever playing overseas, so when we do it again, I think we’ll have a better preparation for it, now knowing what it’s like. Maybe give ourselves more time to see the countries that were in; we didn’t really allow ourselves much free time while we were on tour in Ireland and uk. Overall though, it was an amazing experience, made some great friends while we were there, and can’t wait to go back.
West coast tour was fun as well; we hadn’t been on tour in the west coast since 2019, so it was great to get back.
Sam:
Being this was my first major tour (and overseas for that matter), UK and Ireland was a grand time and I think I managed to handle myself well for the most part. It's also awesome to see the punk spirit and emphasis on respect, solidarity, and inclusion in full display with the shows we played, the friends we made, and the music we got to experience.
It also did give me a newfound appreciation for curry cheese chips and buckfast.
The west coast tour was also a great experience and a great lesson in discipline (weekends are for fun, weekdays are for work and recovery 😅)
Jonny:
it felt like a very big year for us. We played a lot of really fun shows with a lot of rad bands. And both tours were super fun. Playing in the UK and Ireland was an unforgettable
experience. I absolutely fell in love with being over there. There was a lot of love and support from the Punks out there. It was very rad to play shows in places that are so important to the history of the music that we play. Seriously cannot wait to get back over and tour.
And it was really cool to be able to tour with the Disorderlies. Both us and them share Kevin as our drummer, and unfortunately, our buddy Kevin (Diesel) who plays bass for the Disorderlies, couldn’t make it for this tour. So Sam filled in on bass for them. The disorderlies are one of the best bands in the Pacific Northwest. Lizzie (their singer/guitar player) is not only a really good friend but one of the most talented people we know. She writes amazing music. So it was really cool to be able to play shows with them every night. The Irish leg of the tour was really fun to do with Parker. Seriously one of the best bands I’ve ever heard. So talented. They are truly great. I wish everybody knew about them. They deserve it. There are some really good bands in Ireland. The UK leg of the tour was also amazing. We did those shows with our friends Fluffy Machine from Swed… Switzerland haha. Some of the best guys in the world. And an incredibly talented band that should be famous already. We learned a lot from being on the road with both of them.
There are some amazing bands in the UK as well. All in all it was incredible.
The West Coast tour was super fun. We have not been to some of the cities we hit since 2019. And it was great to come back. The West Coast is home. So many friends and so many bands that we love. It just feels like a Nonstop party. Absolutely can’t wait to get back on the road and to see our buds on the left coast next year. But we will also finally be hitting the East Coast and the Midwest. Something that we have been needing to do, and I’m very excited about.
Looking ahead, what are the band's plans for 2024? Any upcoming tours, collaborations, or other projects you can tease for us?
Kevin:
No major international stuff on the radar for next year, but we plan to make a stronger foothold domestically and are looking at moving our way east next year in the fall.
Also, working on the new record, we have 1 song in the bag so far!
Mikey:
For 2024, definitely trying to make our way down the west coast again and say hey to our buddies, but also do a 2 week tour in the midwest or east coast. We haven’t made out in that direction as yet, and so it’s time for us to get out there and bum some people out over there!
Other plans are to get work on writing a new album; no rest for the wicked, as they say.
In closing, what message would you like to convey to your fans, both longtime supporters and those discovering KoF for the first time?
Kevin:
Part of what we love about playing and writing music is the support we get from our fans & the friends we get to make in all of the different cities we go to.
The fans are part of what makes this so special and part of why we keep doing it.
Sam:
If you feel an urge to play and perform with others, go and do it (responsibly). But f'real, do the things you're passionate about while supporting others in their passion. Support and protect community. Don't be a dick and shit down asshole behavior!
Jonny:
the main thing is just being so grateful that people support the band. We are really blessed having some really great friends and fans of the band. People go out of their way to say very kind things. And I’m never not grateful and blown away by that. I really just wanna say thank you to everybody who has supported the band in anyway. Connecting with us on social media, coming out to shows, streaming, or buying the music and the merch, and just being a rad community of people. I think we are all beyond stoked that people dig it.
We really appreciate it and we’re gonna keep trying to put out music that people enjoy.