The Electric Rag Band is a guitar driven rock band that draws on many styles of American music of the last 100 years. Blues, Ragtime, Rockabilly, Hillbilly, Punk and everything in between. They play hard and they engage the crowd. The song structures and the playing are a bit more complex than your average modern rock band. They don’t fit easily into any established genre. They are never boring or formula. Their new CD, “The Esoteric Ramblings of” was released on February 12.

Influences range from country blues artists like Blind Willie McTell and Big Bill Broonzy to newer acts like The Reverend Horton Heat, The Gourds, and The Black Keys.

Fireking is a rock experience for the twenty-first century. The two founding members, Anthony Kaczynski and Smitt E. Smitty, both formerly of Figures on a Beach (Sire Records), have been musical collaborators in various forms for years, and Fireking represents their newest, loudest, and best incarnation. Andrew Morrison on bass rounds out this power-pop-rock trio.

Anthony Kaczynski serves as Fireking’s band leader and lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, as well as being the actual King of Fyre himself. Smitt E. Smitty proudly powers the group from underneath his long tassled fez and behind his classic red Pearl drum kit. The new addition of bass player Andrew Morrison raises the bar for Fireking in every way possible.

Fireking specializes in hook-filled slamming rock tunes. Unafraid to tread where others have trod, yet somehow totally original, Fireking aims for that sweet spot somewhere between “Face to Face”-era Kinks and Iggy & The Stooges’ “Funhouse,” owing to their original roots in the Motor City.

It’s good to be Fireking.