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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, June 18, 2015 | 6 SUPERFIRE heats up Fionn MacCool's to earn $2K by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver Spotlight "Connected to your Community" Oakville-based SUPERFIRE is on a mission to showcase the musical abilities, not disabilities, of its members. The rock band is comprised of seven musicians, some of whom are former clients of the ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development and have developmental challenges. Bill Murray, SUPERFIRE bassist and director of Accent Music Therapy (AMT) -- a healthcare company providing therapy service to children, youths and young adults with special needs -- said the group gives the musicians a chance to "really shine." "You don't focus on the disability of these kids. You focus on all these amazing things they're doing. For the three-and-a-half minutes of that song, they're not thinking of the challenges they have or the disability they have," said Murray. "They're thinking, `This crowd is really into it. I'm a superstar.' Just because they have a label, that doesn't mean that should be the thing you focus on." The musical act held a fundraiser last Thursday (June 11) at Fionn MacCool's, 350 Dundas St. E., to help nance the recording of its second album, which is expected to take place in August for a fall release, according to Murray. SUPERFIRE played to a packed house and raised just over $2,000. The funds will allow SUPERFIRE to proceed with its goal of heading to the recording studio again this summer. The group already had a meeting this week to discuss plans for going forward. The new CD is anticipated to further SUPERFIRE`s attempts to "Change the Face of Disability" within the community and, of course, within the school system (where SUPERFIRE has been performing a lot of assemblies, discussing its disabilities and showcasing its musical talents in front of many student of a rock band. They started learning songs and it moved a lot quicker than I think I anticipated," said Murray. The AMT director describes the band's sound as "edgy" with a punk rock or thrash feel, at times balanced with folk and light rock songs. "All of the members really like rock music. They play soft rock, hard rock and folk rock. It's de nitely got roots in rock 'n' roll," said Murray. The group recorded its rst album, a six-song EP titled Let It Ride, at Metalworks Studios and released it in 2009. "About two years ago, they really started launching their songwriting. We've got a lot of new material now. About 80 per cent of the music is SUPERFIRE originals, but we do like to throw some covers in at live shows to get the crowd really going," said Murray. On Thursday, SUPERFIRE hosted a talent showcase to add at least one more permanent singer to the band, which has a vocalist and a keyboardist that takes the microphone periodically. The contest was created to encourage young adults with special needs who want to join the band full time or if they just want to come on onstage, sing a song and get experience ­ "that's great, too," Murray said. "We're of the philosophy, the more, the merrier. It's really neat... it's almost like a full-circle event where SUPERFIRE can support other young adults with special needs, (so they can) feel what it's like to front a rock band and get up in front of a crowd," said Murray, who is contemplating a switch to guitar. Members of SUPERFIRE heated up Fionn MacCool's last Thursday as they not only entertained their audience, but raised $2,000 toward Although SUPERFIRE didn't set a their upcoming new release. Pictured are Taylor Arbeau and Jamie Perrenoud performing vocals. target for the June 11 charity event, | photo by Jayson Mills ­ special to the Beaver Murray's hopes were met. "When you hear them playing audiences in the GTA). "I did some homework to see what system through a donation from a music, the last thing you are thinking The idea for the band came about was out there and found that there music retailer. of is their disabilities. You're thinking, in 2007 while Murray was working as wasn't really anything that existed Murray said the goal of SUPERFIRE `Man, this band rocks.'" a music therapist at ErinoakKids. like this to support kids that had is to get the members to make music For more information, visit www. He proposed the creation of a challenges," said Murray. and support each other by sharing super re.ca. musical group "where we would get The seven-member out t was any problems they are facing. some young adults together in a rock- equipped with a drum set, amps, "It is a venue for them to talk about band format," he said. guitars and a PA (public address) it and work through it in the format NEIL OLIVER Vice ­President and Group Publisher DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Halton Region Editor in Chief Volume 53 | Number 48 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington (905) 845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. 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