This Is Not An Exit
On January 24, indie rock band The Backfires released their debut album, “This Is Not An Exit.” With 10 songs creating a runtime of 30 minutes, the band proves quality over quantity to be true on every track.
The band first joined forces in 2019 under the name of Qualia Noir. The group consisted of Alex Gomez as lead vocalist, Harry Ruprecht as guitarist, Matthew Walter as bassist, and at the time, Max Wanduragala as drummer.
Their first album has been long awaited by fans, considering the New York City based band made their debut with the Extended Playlist (EP) “Consider The Backfires,” back in 2021.
Since then, they have released a few singles. On July 18, 2024, they released “Brighter Lights,” beginning their first-ever album cycle.
Their first single was followed by three more: “Dressed For A Funeral,” “Replace It All” and “Turn Off The Lights.”
Originally, the project was supposed to be an EP made up of five songs. However, after talking with their manager, they made the decision to create their first album.
“This record is a culmination of our years going back and forth between shows, between continents,” Gomez told Chorus.fm. “It’s the end of a chapter and the start of an era.”
The much-awaited album opens with the lead single: “Brighter Lights,” which explores the feelings that come with unattainable dreams. The track delves into search for a better life but discovering it is something everyone waits for but never truly finds.
Throughout the album, the listener can take away a theme of longing for more, yet being met with indecision.
The second track of the album, “Never Seen You Before,” explores this idea of wanting more out of a relationship. The Backfires described it on an Instagram reel as being like “When it’s 2am and your best friend is starting to look like they could be more than a friend.”
Many of the tracks feature such growth of feelings with relationships, such as “Replace It All” and “I Know You Know.”
Not only do their lyrics show development, but their musical skill also shines through. The band has done nothing but improve their technique and sound throughout the recording of this album.
The album features captivating bass lines and addicting guitar riffs that make up the ideal indie rock record.
With guitar tones inspired by songs such as “Brianstorm” by Arctic Monkeys and “Twice” by Catfish and the Bottlemen, the album is reminiscent of the 2010s and the bands that shaped what indie rock is today.
“It’s the soundtrack of our journey so far and a love letter to the guitar music we grew up on,” the band told Music Junkie Press.
The album also takes influences from more current indie rock bands as well. According to Gomez’s Spotify, while recording, they were listening to songs like “Dublin in Ecstasy” by Inhaler and “I Love You” by Fontaines D.C.
When creating music, so much of what is created has to do with influences, and it is important to balance these influences between past work that has shaped today’s music and new ideas that are working for current music.
The Backfires find this balance effortlessly and equally balance slow and fast-paced music.
The closing track, the title track “This Is Not An Exit,” demonstrates their skill perfectly. As the most memorable of the album, the song starts slow, featuring just a melodic phrase from the guitar. The drums slowly kick in, speeding up to a drum fill and is joined by the rest of the band. Gomez’s voice progresses from slow and poignant to louder and more desperate as the music builds.
The outro of the song features a return of the single guitar line, as Gomez’s voice turns to mainly pleading for a person’s love. “And I could bleed out, bleed out, bleed out if that’s what you need,” Gomez sang.
Keeping with the theme of wanting more even if it hurts, the album closes slowly, yet still just as impactful as the rest of the tracks. The impact of the song is only amplified when hearing it live.
This Is A Tour
On February 8, The Backfires continued “This Is Not An Exit (This Is A Tour)” at The Atlantis in Washington, D.C.
I arrived with my boyfriend one hour before doors opened and was surprised to see about 15-20 fans already waiting. The cold was not enough to kill the excitement for their fans.
I have listened to The Backfires for months prior to the show and have been eager to see them live since they replied to me on X, “you should def come to the dc show gonna be sick.”
So, when the doors to the venue opened at 7:30 p.m., allowing fans waiting outside to escape the cold weather, I could not wait for an incredible show.
At 8:30 p.m., before the Backfires’ set, the band Foxtide warmed up the stage. Born and raised in California, the band grew from its humble garage band session beginnings to touring across the country. Despite their more recent entrance to the music scene, Foxtide is reminiscent of early 2010s alternative rock.
During their show, the band’s great stage presence made it feel like the attendee bought a ticket to see them, not just The Backfires. For some in the crowd, that is what they actually did. Foxtide played an extra song for their fans in the crowd requesting “Cycles” before exiting the stage.
Once the opener finished and the stage was reset at 9:30 p.m., The Backfires made their entrance. They opened their show the same way the album does, with “Brighter Lights.” The crowd’s energy immediately went through the roof.
With every song played, Gomez showcased his rockstar vibe. He knows how to work a crowd, and the way he carries himself makes him the perfect frontman.
Ruprecht’s work on the guitar is not to be underestimated. He captivates the audience, especially when he steps down to the barricade to play closer to the fans.
Walter’s skills on bass set the foundation of the performance, and he did not disappoint.
Dylan Spiro, the band’s new drummer from NYC, joined The Backfires for this tour at only 18 and has put on an incredible show every night.
Since Gomez and Walter grew up in Washington, the concert was a special one for viewers and band members alike. The pair had the opportunity to play a sold out show right next to the venue they grew up attending.
Despite the heartwarming aspect of his homecoming, Gomez expressed concern in coming to D.C.. He brought voice to the frustration of many in regards to what is currently happening in the government and created a safe place for people to convey those feelings.
“I think that a lot of us here can probably relate that we’re very angry about the things that are going on,” Gomez said to the crowd. “So, I think a rock concert is a good place to get that out [and] feel together. We are all here together and able to share a space where we are a community, where we can be friends because we should. So, if you’re feeling angry and you just want to…get it out, do it.”
He followed his speech with the song “Matador,” which is the perfect song to channel one’s frustration with the current political climate.
“Push your knife and twist the blade/Taste of blood keeps you entertained,” Gomez sang, and the audience yelled with him.
They kept up the loud energy of the show, with some older songs like “Going Gets Easy” and “Preoccupied” making the setlist.
Nearing the end of the show, the band finished playing the entirety of their debut album and the title track became even more insane live. “Dressed For A Funeral” was particularly memorable, as the venue was filled with fans wearing all black like the lyrics of the song read.
They followed with one final song,“Blindsided,” the band’s most popular song. Then, the group exited the stage, but this was not an actual exit.
Walter’s brother and sister-in-law in the second row of the pit began chanting for an encore, and the rest of the audience joined in. Heeding to the demands of the crowd, the band came back on stage for one final song.
As they walked by to grab their instruments, I stood at the barricade, holding a sign that read, “Play ‘Anything’ for my birthday.” Seeing the sign, Ruprecht walked to the edge of the stage and asked for my name, which I told him.
“This one’s for Hannah’s birthday,” Ruprecht said, pointing at me, as the band began playing the song “Anything.”
“I’ve never been any good at goodbyes,” Gomez sang before the band exited the stage of their first-ever sold out show.
The Backfires will be back in Maryland at Let’s Go Music Festival on June 6. Anyone interested in seeing the band live can buy tickets here.
