Fireproof singing, playing, sharing message of faith
Some guys get together to watch football. Sean Bos, Mike Ruscio and Brian Migliore get together to play music. Their band, Fireproof, is their avenue to spread the message of hope.
Their calling as musicians came early on. Migliore, 39, began drumming in fourth grade and is self-taught. Bos, 29, picked up a guitar and bass in sixth grade and studied classically in high school. Ruscio, 34, started playing the guitar when he was 14 and took it all the way to college, minoring in music at Eastern Washington University.
They met at Grace Harvest Fellowship about four years ago. Realizing their shared interest in music, they decided to play together as a band.
Though they haven’t played in public as a group, they are moving quickly toward their common goal.
“We want to pack heaven with souls,” said Bos, “not hell.”
Christian based, the songs reflect their desire to draw others toward Jesus. Their title song, “I’m Not Going Down,” starts with, “You can’t take me down, with your lustful mind tricks. You can’t lead me astray, with all the desires of the world.” Another song entitled, “Slam It Down,” says, “I don’t care what you have to say/I don’t care what you think about me/I don’t care what you want me to do/All you do is keep bringing me down… don’t let the world take us down.”
Their songs are comparable to the latest hard rock bands without the vulgarity that so often comes with the territory. “The parental warnings they put on CDs are good,” says Migliore, “but it should be enforced. Or maybe the music should be rated – from G to X-rated.”
The band rehearses about six hours a week in Migliore’s basement in Spokane Valley. They use the latest technology including computer software, direct-recording devices and ear monitors. They do all of their own recording and completed their first CD in January. The CD, Not Going Down, has eight original songs.
They put their music on an independent artists’ Web site called Pure Volume less than a year ago and already are on the Top 100 list of checked-out music. From their exposure on Pure Volume, they earned a spot on the Extreme Tour, a traveling show of lesser-known youth ministry bands. The concerts will include extreme sports.
They are the only band from the Spokane area to be included. They will play twice on the Extreme Tour in Eastern Washington at the end of August.
“We look at this as a business,” said Bos, “We want to be seen and heard. We want to spread our message.”
Bos’ day job is a computer technician for UPS, and Ruscio works for the Spokane Arena. Migliore drums full time in his studio where he gives private lessons.
They all found their faith at different points in their lives. Ruscio was raised Christian. Bos found Christianity in the military, and Migliore said he went to church to keep his parents from nagging him. Someone was playing the drums, and he was sold. However their vocation came to be, they are ready to rock.