Spit Hot Fire

Greenhouse is known for it’s jungle decor, but last night, party-goers had a different tree in mind- that is, the Acacia, the African tree for which the charity Under the Acacia is named. As its name suggests, Under the Acacia is a charity that reached out to children under-developed regions in Africa that have little government structure or support.

At the Music for Mtoto Benefit Spit Hot Fire performed to raise funds for the Loita Hills Academy music program in Africa, so the children could participate in the national competition in Kenya this year.

Spit Hot Fire has been on fire themselves lately, lighting up New York nightlife with their unique and infectious sound- think The Clash meets Sublime.

The band performed to a full house of over two hundred fans and supports of Under the Acacia. Lead singer Bryce Alvord, never one to disappoint, put on an energetic show with his hip hop-reggae-rock blend and mixed-martial-arts dance routine.

The benefactors of the evening included Brie Zabierek, Sophie Elgort, Jordan Lines Middendorf, Jess Teutonico and Aaron Ross.

The event raised over $1,000, all of which will go to the children at Loita Hills Academy. We can all be Under The Acacia, too- for information and to donate, visit http://www.undertheacacia.org/
- Avenue Insider

Greenhouse is known for it’s jungle decor, but last night, party-goers had a different tree in mind- that is, the Acacia, the African tree for which the charity Under the Acacia is named. As its name suggests, Under the Acacia is a charity that reached out to children under-developed regions in Africa that have little government structure or support.

At the Music for Mtoto Benefit Spit Hot Fire performed to raise funds for the Loita Hills Academy music program in Africa, so the children could participate in the national competition in Kenya this year.

Spit Hot Fire has been on fire themselves lately, lighting up New York nightlife with their unique and infectious sound- think The Clash meets Sublime.

The band performed to a full house of over two hundred fans and supports of Under the Acacia. Lead singer Bryce Alvord, never one to disappoint, put on an energetic show with his hip hop-reggae-rock blend and mixed-martial-arts dance routine.

The benefactors of the evening included Brie Zabierek, Sophie Elgort, Jordan Lines Middendorf, Jess Teutonico and Aaron Ross.

The event raised over $1,000, all of which will go to the children at Loita Hills Academy. We can all be Under The Acacia, too- for information and to donate, visit http://www.undertheacacia.org/
- Avenue Insider

* I'm obsessed with the idea of "secret celebrities." Who do you think deserves more attention in the spotlight, and who do you think deserves less?

More attention: The band Spit Hot Fire. They deserve to be huge.
Less attention: The whole Kardashian clan. I am sure they are nice, but I just don't care. That said, I have never seen their show. The only reality TV program I watch is Intervention on A&E - I own every episode on iTunes. - Guest of a Guest

Interview: Spit Hot Fire
By
Wael Davis
on September 20, 2011 1:51 PM



Spit Hot Fire is one of this years biggest break out bands. With a new sound and energy they are making waves on the music scene. I got a chance to sit down with Bryce lead singer of the band for a fun interview. Check it out after the jump!



Spit Hot Fire.jpg



Where did you get the name Spit Hot Fire?

We were just starting out and tried a couple names that we knew didn't fit; we didn't like them. Then I saw the old skit on the Dave Chappelle show that was the parody of P Diddy's "Making The Band", where Dylon shouts emphatically: "I Spit Hot Fire!" and some other classic lines. I thought it fit perfectly. It has it's roots coming from hip-hop and reggae, but this TV show gave it a comic spin, and we took that and made it our own. We have grown over the years, but I still love the name. It works. And our logo is dope.

What is the creative process when working in a duo?

As in any artistic and creative endeavor, it can vary greatly. However, the most traditional and tried and true way is for myself to write a song with a guitar, lyrics and all, and than show it to Ben. He then produces everything around that skeleton, including drums, bass, and every other musical instrument, including my guitar. That's why he plays guitar live and I normally just sing, he's just an amazing musician and producer. He'll also add in his two cents creatively; a chord change here, a bridge idea there... But we do different things as well. Right now we're working on a song together, as we have in the past, top to bottom. John Lennon and Paul McCartney style. We switch it up.True partners; we need each other for this project.

How would you describe your sound?

I call us Alternative. We are an alternative band influenced by pop, rock, reggae, hip-hop and soul. It's 2011; Music is so wordly now that accurately describing us or many bands is an agonizing and ultimately failing experience. We're Bruno Mars meets Kanye West. We're Sublime meets MGMT. We're The Beatles meets Lil Wayne. I could go on forever like that.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Ok since you asked I will go on! Nirvana was everything when I was a kid; that's why I got into music and songwriting. They introduced me to The Beatles, which is basically still like the Bible for pop music. Sublime introduced me to Bob Marley, who introduced me to Buju Banton, Yellowman, etc... A Tribe Called Quest and The Roots introduced me to Wu-Tang. That's all old stuff. Current chart topping favorites include Lil Wayne, Arctic Monkeys, Kanye West, Bruno Mars, Adele, The Strokes, Ratatat, Rihanna, The Red Hot Chili Peppers. I like edgy, yet accesible music, and that's also what we try to make. Attractive danger.

Will you be touring this fall?

Our touring falls into 2 categories at the moment and you'll be hearing about both this fall. New York City, and college campuses. New York because it is the best, most exciting, most competetive, most electrifying city in the world and this is where we're from and it defnes us. We want to play huge shows in NYC. Our next one will be in October. College shows are also so cool because you can really connect with young kids who are very eager to join some type of movement or catch on to something getting bigger. And they're just so so fun. We like to party :-)

How can fans connect with you?


Start with our website: (www.spithotfire.com) From there, scroll down and download any one or all of about 15 songs for free from our soundcloud player (http://snd.sc/prsKzN). Get them in your iPod and go. The site itself is actually a Tumblr blog, so follow us if you are on Tumblr. And of course we on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Spit-Hot-Fire/14999572366) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/SpitHotFireNYC). We love connecting with people and fans so hit me and I will hit you back, personally! I love social media and the personal connections it allows. We're everywhere!



You can also check out pictures from Spit Hot Fire's performance at the Aliomi One Year Anniversary party here!





Spit Hot Fire.jpg

Stay up to date with my CW blog by following me on twitter @waeldavis!



- CW DC Network Blog

I normally only like live music when I know the band's songs very well and thus exactly who the crowd will be (and look like). But after two shows, I am now a huge fan of Spit Hot Fire -- I even follow them on Twitter, a true sign of devotion on my part. The band is only two people, Bryce Alvord the lead singer and main songwriter and Ben Altman, who plays a wicked lead guitar and is a master producer and musical engineer. Their sound is perfect for anyone who likes ska, reggae, The Clash and hi- hop. The band is cutting an album now but you can see them live all around town and download their tunes on their website. I talked to lead singer Bryce Alvord after their recent show at Hotel Chantelle.

What's it like being in a duo?

I consider Spit Hot Fire just as much a studio project as I do a band. I don't think the whole 'band' thing is cool anymore. The t-shirts, the van... When we create a song, we have an endless amount of sounds and effects to choose from, so why would we limit ourselves to guitar, bass, and keys? It would take 12 guys to play live all the parts we lay in a track. Of course you have to sound live too. Hip-Hop and pop shows can never match a rock show because a DJ just can't pack the punch live musicians do. That's why we have the best of both worlds; man and machine. We're Darth Vader. And there's also less cooks in the kitchen creatively.

Where can people score your music?

We have two EP's and one full-length album on iTunes, from when we were a four and five piece. For the last year we have been recording and remixing tracks that will be on our next album as a duo. They are available for free download now on our site/blog. We are trying to go the mixtape route to get more fans, inspired by artists like Drake and Mike Posner. That's how I got into them, through free music.

So how did you come up with the name Spit Hot Fire?

I came up with the name after seeing that Dave Chapelle skit where he was making fun of the P. Diddy's Making the Band. "Who are the best five rappers of all time? Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan and Dylan. I Spit Hot Fire!" Everyone knows that skit; it was one of the best of the series. And I just thought it sounded like our music too. I got the .com and a hot logo that shit is mine! - PAPER MAGAZINE

No matter how many other cities claim to be important rock proving grounds, New York will always be the true Mecca for upstart bands. Musicians of every stripe—acoustic folkies, experimental jazz-funk trios, ambient metal soundscapers—still come here angling to get booked, signed, and out ahead of the pack. This week's tale from the trenches comes from Bryce Alvord and Ben Altman of Spit Hot Fire, a reggae-pop band coming off of a successful year of CMJ showcases, new EPs, and tons of love from loyal fans.

SCOUT: Let's start with the important stuff: if Spit Hot Fire could play with any band in existence, who would you choose?
BRYCE: Spit Hot Fire is putting it out there that we would like to open up for the Red Hot Chili Peppers next time they put out a record! They are pretty iconic to us as a rock band that incorporates lots of different genres without being cheesy. Other than that, Maybe Gnarls Barkley and Ratatat. They're pretty awesome ... and I think I'd like to play this show for a packed house at The Canal Room!

SCOUT: Have you always had musical ambitions?
BRYCE: We definitely all grew up knowing we wanted to be musicians, performers, artists. Personally, I knew I wanted to be a songwriter. I wanted to create. It's been my daily pursuit since I was 14. Same for both of us. We are from the the DC area and Connecticut, and we came to New York to make something happen!

SCOUT: How did Spit Hot Fire come together?
BRYCE: New York City, baby, plus Craigslist and the persistence to find the right people. That's all you need. This is the place the creatives flock. This is where the talent is, where you meet like minded individuals! We started playing together, and have now been friends for years. You spend all this time and energy together; it really is like a family.

SCOUT: Who are your major musical influences?
BRYCE: Great songwriters like The Beatles, Bob Marley, Nirvana, Lil Wayne to name a very few... Everything else follows from that. Genre, time period doesn't matter. Fads come and go but good songs and artists will always be what people like.

SCOUT: What's in heavy rotation in the Spit Hot Fire tour van?
BRYCE: We flip from super old skool Jazz and reggae to new stuff like Mike Posner, the new The Strokes record, the new Adele, The Avett Brothers. Then we'll flip on the radio to see what's relevant and hate on 97% of it. It's tough to find a good song on the iTunes Top 100 these days. We like pop; we are pop! But most of this stuff is just too much.

SCOUT: Are there local, under the radar artists you're listening to?
BRYCE: There's this new young dude The Weeknd (that is spelled correctly) from Canada, smooth R&B cat. He sounds like Trey Songz but with edgier production and lyrical content. Got a free mixtape online right now you should grab. He's gonna be big.

SCOUT: What's on the horizon for SHF?
BRYCE: Go to our website and download for free a few tracks that will be on out next album (coming next fall), as well as some older stuff. The site is a Tumblr blog, so please follow us if you are on that, and otherwise use the links to like us on Facebook or Twitter. The next NYC show will be in late July or August, and then back for the CMJ festival in October. Go get some free music and wait for the next updates! We have shows and release free new material to our closest fans pretty much every month. The next single release is just a few weeks away.... - Scoutmob.com

My new favorite band Spit Hot Fire...Basically, they fuse all the musical genres I listen to - reggae, alternative, rock, and pop - and dude, trust me: IT WORKS! - Fishtankology

"This is a hot and hilariously creative band. You've got to check out the music. Lyrics, musical blend, and momentum in the music is really good... Their one song "Player" is really good and could easily be a hot single for next summer. Beats, rhythm, style and lyrics make you want to play it again and again..." - Urban Mainstream Magazine Vol. #26 Aug 22nd 07

Written by: David Talmage

“Spit Hot Fire,” the self-titled first full length from the New York City band known as Spit Hot Fire is doe sure to impress. I have to admit I was expecting the same old indie sound that has become so popular in the New York City scene, but I was pleasantly surprised with a fun alternative, reggae, rock album that somewhat reminded me of the latest 311 release. This album combines heavy rock riffs while grooving to some reggae and hip hopping through each track.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Bryce Alvord tells tales of fun, exaltation, loss, anger and a whole lot of passion in the comedic yet raw and straight pressed album. This album has a great mix of reggae styles with gnarly bass lines and sick vocal tracks that just kick start your engines into party mode. There sound is simply refreshing to my ears and I for one and my excited to hear more from these guys in the future. Sure I’m not hoping that this reggae, rock, indie music starts becoming the fad out of every major city in the country but it sure wouldn’t hurt for these guys to put out another album or two.

If you are fans of bands like The Police, 311 or Sublime then you need to for sure check out this fresh new sound straight out of New York that’s bringing a whole new edge to the indie scene. Be sure to check out the tracks, “Far From Home,” “Playin’ Girl,” and “My Baby Likes Ladies Now” which are my personal favorites. Overall I’d say go grab this album, its simply refreshing. - BearcastRadio.com

.."Spit Hot Fire" self titled album is a stellar throwback to the reggae dub rock mix that reigned supreme in the 90's. The arrangements are fantastic in the album, with a great mix of reggae styles that feature heavy bass lines and melodic vocals. The album is chock full of upstrokes, head nodding drum beats and creative harmonies. The stand out track is "Good morning" which brings about the urge to want to roam the famous Orange County beaches as these east coasters fill your ears with sounds made famous by bands like Sublime, 311 and The Long Beach Dub All-Stars. Other highlights are the opener "Poet on Payday", which bangs right into it with a big electric reggae riff, and "October Night", with it's gritty bass line and catchy melody. Hey Ska fans, these guys are your new favorite band.
..-Ross & The RadioIndy. com Review Team
Check out Spit Hot Fire's music on RadioIndy. com with link to purchase and links to popular sites
http://www. radioindy. - Radioindy.com

"New York quintet Spit Hot Fire has made a reputation at home and up and down the Atlantic seaboard playing an exhilerating blend of funk-fused alternative rock and a swinging mesh of melodic pop and dub reggae...
Dig it: Edgy alt. rock with a dubby twist of dancehall reggae, like the Chili Peppers backing Buju Banton." - City Beat (Cincinnati) 9/26/07

...our team unanimously agreed that this band portrayed that unique flair and sound not present in so many other bands...
We enjoy their music because it is different, yet overall appealing to the masses. You can tell they really spend time thinking about every bit of the arrangements, sounds, words, and quality of each song...
Bands who bring the full package are what brings the life back into the music. This band shows their appreciation for the genres they fuse together and have undoubtedly earned the right to grace our covers and receive ongoing support from our magazine. We look forward to seeing great things from Spit Hot Fire... - Urban Mainstream Magazine Sept 25th, Vol. # 28