Torches To Rome

Torches To Rome
OriginSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1995–1998
LabelEbullition
Spinoffs
  • Bread And Circuits
  • Please Inform The Captain This Is A Hijack
  • Baader Brains
  • Mothercountry Motherfuckers
Spinoff of
Past membersSarah Kirsch
Steve Chamberlain
Aaron Lee Schlieve

Torches To Rome was an American post-hardcore band from the San Francisco Bay Area, that was active from 1995 to 1998. Formed by Sarah Kirsch (formerly of Fuel,[1] Pinhead Gunpowder,[2] Sawhorse,[3] John Henry West,[4] Navio Forge[5]), alongside Steve Chamberlain and Aaron Lee Schlieve (formerly of Portraits of Past),[6] the band released a self-titled demo tape and a single studio album on Ebullition Records.[7]

Musical style

Influenced by the likes of Fugazi and other D.C. bands,[7] Torches To Rome's musical style has often been described as aggressive, urgent, and powerful.[6][8][9] In a review of their sole full-length release, Andy Malcolm of Collective Zine labeled them as "A more political, more frantic, more intense, more heavy Hot Water Music,"[10] while Jason Rockhill of Ink 19 praised their spirit on the record by dubbing them "Rebel Rock overflowing with passion and smarts."[8] Kent McClard, owner of Ebullition, defined the band by writing: "The Torches To Rome sound was powerful and aggressive hardcore that always maintained a fantastic sense of groove and melody with impassioned singing." Furthermore, he explained that though the band's sound was a combination of all three members' musical input, they primarily shared sonic relations to Kirsch's previous acts.[6]

Band members

  • Sarah Kirsch[a] - vocals, guitar (1995–1998)
  • Steve Chamberlain - vocals, bass (1995–1998)
  • Aaron Lee Schlieve - drums (1995–1998)

Discography

Studio albums

Demos

Compilation appearances

  • For Want Of... (1995, X-Mist)
  • The Ebullition Records Box Set (2000, Ebullition)

Notes

  1. ↑ She was known as Mike Kirsch during the band's existence before coming out as a transgender woman many years after their dissolution.

References

  1. ↑ Battan, Carrie (December 7, 2012). "R.I.P. Bay Area Punk Fixture Sarah Kirsch". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  2. ↑ Adams, Gregory (December 5, 2012). "R.I.P. Sarah Kirsch of Pinhead Gunpowder, Fuel, Torches to Rome". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  3. ↑ Mack, Shane (December 6, 2012). "RIP: Sarah Kirsch, formerly known as Mike Kirsch, of Pinhead Gunpowder (with Billie Joe Armstrong), Fuel". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Queercore". DIY Conspiracy. January 28, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  5. ↑ Rettman, Tony (September 19, 2025). "The Forgotten Post-Hardcore Records That Deserve a Reissue". Discogs. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "Torches To Rome - 12"". Ebullition Records. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Coons, Kevin (February 8, 2024). "25 Emo Albums That Turn 25 This Year, Which Is Perfect Because You're Getting A Divorce". The Hard Times. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Rockhill, Jason (May 25, 1998). "Torches to Rome". Ink 19. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  9. ↑ Dumarey, Tom (September 22, 2019). "Crossed Keys: 10 albums you should love as much as they do". Punk Rock Theory. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  10. ↑ Malcolm, Andy (June 13, 2007). "Torches to Rome – s/t – LP (1999)". Collective Zine. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.