The Lightning Fires are an inspirational rock band from the Tang Hall Smart (THS) Performance Academy, which provides a platform for talented people with learning disabilities to build professional music and dance skills whilst developing as performers.
This summer, The Lightning Fires performed their first live public show at Derwenthorpe Festival to a rapturous response, achieving viral status on social media along the way. The band are keen to bring their unique and passionate brand of rock to the people of York, whilst inspiring other young people to follow their dreams, whatever challenges or obstacles they may face. Ahead of their appearance in an upcoming documentary about the THS Performance Academy and its students, set for release next year, we caught up with band members Ewan (lead vocals), John (guitar and vocals), Finn (bass), Danny (keys) and Rebecca (drums), to discuss songwriting, performing, stage fright, and internet fame…
Hello, The Lightning Fires! Which bands or artists have influenced your music?
Danny: “I like a bit of Muse, a bit of Green Day. I see a lot of people live, and last saw My Chemical Romance in Liverpool.”
Finn: “Nirvana, I do like grunge music. And The Beastie Boys!”
John: “Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day is an absolutely insane punk rock guitarist. One of my favourite singers that I look up to is Michael Jackson.”
Ewan: “I’d probably say The Perfect Shambles. The lead singer, Tommy, really influences my singing.”
Rebecca: “The drummer from Fallout Boy!”
You write your own songs – do you all get involved in the process?
John: “Yes, we do. It’s free-for-all suggestions!”
Ewan: “We come up with a subject, and then we build it from there – it’s like a building block. The foundation is the music, and then we add a melody. Lots of different ideas.”
Danny: “I’m a songwriter, and I come up with ideas for song lyrics.”
Rebecca: “We listen to our tutors as well. We work as a team!”
Did you get stage fright before your first big show, and do you have any advice for nervous performers?
Rebecca: “I did, but the audience and the kids were absolutely unbelievable. Just try not to think about it!”
Ewan: “I kinda did, but managed to get over it. I would say try and relax – jump up and down, and let it all out!”
John: “I haven’t really felt stage fright like that since I first started the academy. As soon as I got on that stage – BAM! When I started performing, all of those worries disappeared.”
You recently went viral on social media, racking up over a million views! How does it feel to have reached so many people across the world?
Danny: “It made me a bit nervous at first, but I got on with it. It was interesting how it went viral on the internet. It got millions of views!”
Rebecca: “It was absolutely unbelievable. I feel so proud, it’s very impressive. A lot of people said they love my drumming!”
John: “I was in this whirlwind of emotions – they were happy emotions, but it was crazy. How did we become so popular? When it happened, I was blown away, but we have to take these things with a grain of salt – you always have to be careful about the level of expectation on social media. There are always going to be people who are jealous of The Lightning Fires, because of how awesome we are, and because they don’t have the life that we do.”
Ewan: “I think the whole experience of being famous is really cool, I like the way things are right now. We’ve totally ignored any backlash that was given to us, the rude comments that were made about us. You’ve just got to take it on the chin. We’re unique. If people don’t like the way we are, then tough!”
Finn: “I replied to lots of the comments, it was fun for me! People wanted us to come to Manchester, and one lady wanted us to come to Northern Ireland – we’ll have to get the boat!”
How has the THS Performance Academy helped you on your musical journey?
Danny: “Yes, if it’s appropriate for them.”
Ewan: “I think it’s developed us well as friends. We’ve learned to adapt to new situations. I’d recommend it to others.”
John: “I would agree. There were obstacles we had to overcome during those rehearsals. It’s made me more professional.”
Are you excited to appear in the upcoming THS Performance Academy documentary?
John: “How exciting! Yes, I’m really looking forward to it and to seeing how people react. It feels like a nostalgic trip down memory lane. People need to know how the academy exists, and how we’ve done what we’ve done.”
Thanks, guys. Finally, what would you like to achieve as a band?
Ewan: “I think that The Lightning Fires is the best rock band that York is gonna see. We’re gonna up our game, and take it as far as we’d like it to go. Our main goal is to get people to accept us – we all have different learning difficulties, and we need people to allow us to be accepted and be heard. There’s no time to be quiet. We’re gonna bring rock to the community!”
John: “You never know how far this Lightning Fires experiment will go…”
Visit www.tanghallsmart.com or follow ‘THS Performance Academy’ on Facebook to find out more about Tang Hall Smart and the THS Performance Academy. Look out for The Lightning Fires, who could soon be performing at a venue near you. Find updates about the THS Performance Academy documentary in upcoming issues of Your Local Link!
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