R.I.P. Firehouse's CJ Snare

[Captain Howdy]

 

[Captain Howdy]

There was actually a band he was in before Firehouse as well, but it was far removed from their sound. Maxx Warrior was old school heavy metal, and CJ went by the name Carl Snare back then. He is a transcript of a write up Dave Reynolds did in 1985 in Metal Forces Magazine.

https://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/feature-maxx-warrior-mf15/

[Metal T]

They have been pretty active doing shows/tours all these years but their last release of original material dates back to 2003?...that is just ridiculous considering their continued popularity for a band of their ilk.

[tts42572]

19 minutes ago, Metal T said:

They have been pretty active doing shows/tours all these years but their last release of original material dates back to 2003?...that is just ridiculous considering their continued popularity for a band of their ilk.

Agree.

I had posed that question to CJ a few years ago on social media and he responded to me saying that he didn't think people wanted to hear new Firehouse music and that he didn't feel the time/effort/cost to do new music was worth it as a result.   

However, I feel like there was a bit of a revival of melodic rock somewhere around 2012 and forward.  Granted, nowhere near it was in it's 80's prime but I feel like it was somewhere around there it started to become a little cool again.  Maybe that's when all us 40+ year olds were hitting mid-life crises and looking to relive our youth lol.  Either way, I feel like even a band like Firehouse saw some resurgence.  I mean, I remember seeing them live back around 2012 and there couldn't have been more than about 250 people in the place.  However, the last few times I've seen them they were playing to substantially larger crowds than that....probably 10 times bigger. 

I feel like somewhere in the last 5 years was ripe for them to put out new music.  I think sometimes these artists just focus on the sales not being there like they were back in the day but I think there's a lot of other intangibles that new music provides.  It just gives people something to talk about, do interviews about, share around and just bring positive attention to a band.  CJ still sounded phenomenal....I think they could've been capable of putting out one more killer album with a bit of focus and desire.

Such is life though and no use crying over spilt milk so to speak.  Will just enjoy what they did create.    

[Captain Howdy]

Certain bands just feel it is better to live off live dates playing their hits rather than record new albums.

Poison has not recorded an original album since 2002 and a covers album in 2007.

Motley Crue has only recorded a handful of new tracks since their last studio album in 2008.

Slaughter have not recorded an album as a band since 1999

Vixens last studio album was 2006

[KarpetRydOFunk]

I never wanted another FireHouse album. The last two weren't very good. Many bands can't recapture the magic of their earlier work, or evolve into something better.

[Captain Howdy]

1 hour ago, KarpetRydOFunk said:

I never wanted another FireHouse album. The last two weren't very good. Many bands can't recapture the magic of their earlier work, or evolve into something better.

While not as classic as their early stuff, I thought tracks like Jumpin, Take it off, Don't you fade on me, I'd rather be making love, Prime time & Door to door were cool songs. I will admit the sound on Prime time was a bit muffled though.

[Captain Cowardly]

On 4/7/2024 at 8:43 PM, Metal T said:

IMO, band should end.

I mean as a functioning, creative, recording band, they're done anyway and have been for 20 years.

But I was surprised to see they are still going on as early as this weekend, with the guy off of American Idol, who's been filling in for CJ since his last surgery.

I think because they are just a pretty faceless heritage act nowadays, they will continue doing the state fairs, pubs & clubs circuit they've been doing, and many people will be none the wiser...

[auslander]

51 minutes ago, Captain Cowardly said:

I mean as a functioning, creative, recording band, they're done anyway and have been for 20 years.

But I was surprised to see they are still going on as early as this weekend, with the guy off of American Idol, who's been filling in for CJ since his last surgery.

I think because they are just a pretty faceless heritage act nowadays, they will continue doing the state fairs, pubs & clubs circuit they've been doing, and many people will be none the wiser...

Seems a bit shady to play a gig like a week after CJ died... 

[tts42572]

3 hours ago, Captain Cowardly said:

I mean as a functioning, creative, recording band, they're done anyway and have been for 20 years.

But I was surprised to see they are still going on as early as this weekend, with the guy off of American Idol, who's been filling in for CJ since his last surgery.

I think because they are just a pretty faceless heritage act nowadays, they will continue doing the state fairs, pubs & clubs circuit they've been doing, and many people will be none the wiser...

Yeah....Now they're basically the same as bands like Warrant, Great White, Skid Row, Foreigner....and the list could go on.

Also kind of surprised they're back at it so soon.  I'm not sure if this was a scheduled gig already or not.  That Peck dude has been playing with them though for months so I guess he'll just continue.  To be honest though, I have very little interest in seeing them without CJ. 

They'll likely keep going though and they'll probably still draw decent enough crowds as people eat up this nostalgia stuff.  And half the time people are so clueless that they'll probably think it's the same band.  I mean, I've had 2 stories in the past couple years that illustrate the types of people that attend some of these shows.   One was a few years ago at a festival after Warrant performed.  Some dude sitting next to me looks at me and says "Man, that Jani Lane can still sing!".  I had to tell him Jani died 10 years ago....he had no idea.  Then last year I was walking out of a Skid Row show and hear a guy in front of me say "That Skid Row singer still sounds as good as he did 30 years ago!"  Yeah, those people are out there lol.

At the end of the day, I guess Firehouse and these other bands with "new" singers are just sort of paying tribute to themselves more than anything else and a lot of people are fine with that.

  

[CureTheSane]

On 4/10/2024 at 7:22 AM, Captain Howdy said:

While not as classic as their early stuff, I thought tracks like Jumpin, Take it off, Don't you fade on me, I'd rather be making love, Prime time & Door to door were cool songs. I will admit the sound on Prime time was a bit muffled though.

+1

Regarding any upcoming gig, to make it an easier transition they should dedicate it to CJ, all proceeds go to his family etc.

[Captain Cowardly]

2 hours ago, CureTheSane said:

+1

Regarding any upcoming gig, to make it an easier transition they should dedicate it to CJ, all proceeds go to his family etc.

They're classing it as a Tribute To CJ Snare, although I think it was already in the diary.

[CureTheSane]

Yeah, just need to donate proceeds now and they will look less greedy and more compassionate.

[Captain Howdy]

FireHouse officially name Nate Peck as their new full-time frontman and lead vocalist

Metal Sludge — News from the FireHouse camp as they announce their new lead vocalist.

Fans of FireHouse and our readers here at Metal Sludge are all aware of the unfortunate news of CJ Snare‘s sad passing back in April and now the band have named his replacement.

The band had been performing with fill-in vocalist Nate Peck since 2023 when Snare had to take a leave to deal with medical issues and surgery.

Now the band are embracing the move forward and have officially named Nate Peck as their new frontman and vocalist.

Read the band’s full statement below as was shared on their social media.

 

---

 

Nate Peck and FireHouse paying tribute to CJ Snare

 

**AMERICAN ROCK BAND FIREHOUSE ANNOUNCES NEW VOCALIST, NATE PECK**

With the untimely passing of CJ Snare, American rock band, FireHouse, has officially announced their new lead vocalist, Nate Peck.

Peck, 2023 American Idol golden ticket recipient, performed an outstanding audition for Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Richie praised Nate’s performance saying, “That was brilliant…The best rock singer EVER that we’ve had. You’ve got it!” Katy Perry looked to the sky and said, “Actually, he’s SO good!” High praises from all 3 judges got him unanimous consent to move onto the next level of the competition. Peck ultimately decided to leave the show to pursue his career in music his own way: playing live music in Nashville’s booming rock scene and guest singing with national artists like Jack Russell’s Great White.

Peck was first introduced to Bill Leverty by Jack Russell’s Great White guitarist, Robbie Lochner. Leverty explained, “When I first heard Nate’s vocal range, tone and control, I immediately knew that he’d be the perfect fit, filling in for CJ who was recovering from surgery. I advocated hard to get Nate out to play at New England Rockfest in October of 2023. He learned our songs very quickly and absolutely crushed it at the show. I then sent some video to CJ and he agreed saying, THAT’S the guy!”

CJ and Nate immediately became very good friends. According to Peck, “CJ and I would talk regularly, a few times a week. He would give me vocal coaching, advice on touring and life in general. He was definitely a great mentor for me.”

Peck has been singing with FireHouse since October of 2023, wowing audiences around the country. “I am honored to be working with these guys and singing these great songs.”

FireHouse music will stand the test of time. Catch them on tour performing their hits “Love of a Lifetime”, “When I Look Into Your Eyes”, “Don’t Treat Me Bad”, “All She Wrote”, “Reach for the Sky”, “Shake and Tumble” and many more, bringing the fans the melodic hard rock they’ve loved for decades.

https://metalsludge.tv/firehouse-officially-name-nate-peck-as-their-new-full-time-frontman-and-lead-vocalist/

[Captain Howdy]

https://www.facebook.com/FireHouseMusic/posts/969966661165147?ref=embed_post

[tts42572]

Good news.  Nate seems like a great dude and from what I've seen, he does a nice job.  I think he's the right guy for that gig being he was filling in with CJ's blessing and he has the right tone in his voice to do the songs justice.  Granted, there's no replacing CJ's unique voice but good that they'll still be out there celebrating the music.

One thing I wonder is if they'll maybe considering doing some new music with Nate?  I mean, he's a young guy and would probably love to record some new music with them.  Not sure how much demand there would be for it but I like to see them put out a new song at least and just see how it goes.  It would be nice to give Nate something of his own in the setlist too.  I'm not gonna hold my breath though lol.

 

[Captain Howdy]

On Instagram where Stevie Rachelle posted the link to the story it was crazy how many people don't know anything about the bands recent history or read the article. Several people moaning how they are replacing him too quick etc without realising he has been touring with the band since last year when he was covering for a recovering CJ and that Nate and CJ actually became really good friends. CJ would have wanted them to carry on and gave this guy his blessing, essentially.

[whiplash1972]

Nate seems like a legit nice guy too…

From his FB page:

I just want to thank everyone for such a positive response on the latest announcement! It means the world❤️ I will do my absolute best to honor Cj’s legacy and keep his name alive each show. Hope to see you all soon

Best Regards 

Nate Peck
 

And from earlier this year, this lovely pic of him and CJ