In the city of Los Angeles, California---specifically, the lost neighborhood called Frogtown---the band Ears on Fire was formed. While all five members are born and raised in LA, their true habitat is the vast aural cosmos, and like a modern day pied piper they beckon their listeners along on their journey. Ears on Fire rose from the ashes of Serruchos, a weekly blues/funk jam session where Rafael Martinez (bass) and Rey Dominguez (drums) first locked into their funky rhythms. They were soon joined by Jud Kilgore on guitar and then sister Iberia Martinez on vocals and they realized something special had been formed. Six months later they were joined by guitar whiz Jonny Hendrick whose fluid rigging added the missing ingredient. The band members are influenced by a myriad of musical styles, although they all share a love of jazz, funk, and rock. Iberia has been inspired by Ella, Billie, Janis, the Brazilian Flora Purim, Portishead, and Hope Sandoval, while her brother Rafael is a devotee of Jaco, Anthony Jackson, Ron Carter, and Mingus. Jud’s in love with the Beatles, early punk a la Television, the swirly sounds of the Stone Roses and My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, and John Coltrane. Jonny’s influenced by classic rock gods like Clapton, Page, and Hendrix. Rey’s steeped by such drummers as Art Blakey, Mitch Mitchell, Stuart Copeland, Sly Dunbar, Doug Clifford, and Mickey Heart. The five musicians are mostly self-taught, although Jonny studied music for two years; he also spent his early years playing in the local ska/punk scene with the band SooperSlooth, opening for legends such as Fishbone and Reel Big Fish. Rafael played extensively with experimental bands such as Yndojun and the Camarillo Blues Triangle. The Ears on Fire members all feel they’ve been searching and waiting for this group: a unique vehicle to traverse their aural cosmos and a genuine musical experience to grab their listeners by the ass and set their ears on fire.
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