Formed in 2013 in the Vale, Guernsey, Coastal Fire Dept. serves as a throwback to the heady days of 90s alt rock & grunge guitar bands with a modern twist & other influences thrown in from time to time. 
 
Coastal Fire Department is all about big driving melodic guitars with catchy choruses that stick in your head. 
 
The band consists of guitarist/vocalist Ollie Goddard, bassist Saad Frihmat, drummer Ozzy Austin & lead guitarist Jon Langlois. 
 
The band first started releasing music in 2019 with their mini-album ‘Control’ & have pushed themselves ever since. 
 
In 2020, Ken Andrews (Failure, Stone Temple Pilots, Chris Cornell & more) mixed their single ‘You Are Stuck’ which they followed with their catchy two-minute grunge song ‘I Don’t Wanna Hold Your Hand’. This song’s lyrics comprise of the 6 words from the title of the song!
 
Keen to evolve their sound, 2021 saw a move towards a harder guitar driven vibe. It also saw the band record three singles with Kellii Scott (Failure, QOTSA, Veruca Salt & more) on drums. 
 
All three singles took on different grunge influences and lead to much more radio play and press coverage globally.
 
Often compared to Nirvana & Pixies, the band is unashamedly influenced by those iconic bands, but is also influenced by later bands such as Violent Soho, Superheaven, Balance & Composure & Title Fight.
 
The band said of the song:
 
‘Cry Your Heart Out’ is a gritty post grunge/alt rock track set in the here and now. It’s about people who give themselves & everything they own to others in need until there is nothing left to give. Lyrically it’s influenced by an Oscar Wilde short story & sonically US guitar driven bands such as Nirvana, Failure, Balance & Composure & Teenage Wrist. 
 
A song hugely influenced by US bands recorded by an under the radar band about to break cover. Enjoy the gritty verses, love the guitars and singalong with the choruses.“
 
 
Upcoming tour dates
 
Vraicfest 23 Festival – Guernsey 16 Sept 2023
The Hope and Anchor – 25 Nov 2023

https://www.youtube.com/@CoastalFireDept

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com