By Alex Kantarelis

Attention Worcester and beyond. If Fuel of War isn’t on your radar yet, they’re going to be soon…and it’s going to be really loud. The hard-rock/metal band has burst onto the scene with what they call “a testosterone fueled kick in the teeth.” With influences like Black Sabbath, Pantera, and Metallica, and a lineup that’s more experienced than any other band’s out there, it’s easy to see why Fuel of War will be blowing up soon.

While the band got their start in 2007, it took several lineup changes and some ups and downs before things started rolling. In August of 2009, founding members Josh Pineo (lead guitar) Mike Brodmerkle (bass), Nick Delman (rhythm guitar), and Bill Harding (drums) joined forces with their new front man, Craig Gaumond of Skulltoboggan fame. “They didn’t even audition me, Josh just asked me to put my style into what they do,” Gaumond said. He also explained the name of the band: “The idea or reason behind the name was a theory I came up with. If life is a constant battle, a war even, something has to fuel you to get through it…so, what’s your Fuel of War?

Playing shows all over the Central MA area, the guys quickly started building a following, even landing themselves on the bill of the annual WAAF Indoor Beach Party in Fitchburg.

But all of this is secondary to the bigger story. Guitarist Josh Pineo is living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a condition causing extremely fragile bones which has him playing guitar in a wheelchair. At first glance, people may be surprised to see this from a metal band, but rest assured it does not hinder his ability to shred at all. “He’s 21 and is leading a very productive life. He’s an inspiration to all of us in the band and to anyone who comes in contact with him,” said Gaumond.

Pineo doesn’t see his wheel chair status as a problem at all: “First and foremost I’m a guitar player. The way If I can use people’s ignorance and inspire them correctly, I’m going to be doing the right thing for me, and 75 years from now I can die a happy man,” he said. This simple attitude defines Fuel of War. “I want to send the message that it doesn’t matter what situation you’re in… you can do whatever you want. Fuel of War to me has been the biggest middle finger to anyone who has doubted what I’ve done and what I’ll continue to do,” he added.

With the lineup coming together well and the guys gelling musically, the band is putting the finishing touches on their debut album, which should be available later this spring. It will be released through their independent label, Dirtnap Entertainment. Keep your eye out because Fuel of War is a band that will be making big moves. “The one thing that we’ve all collectively wanted is…to continue the tradition of balls out metal,” Gaumond said. And that they do very well.

www.myspace.com/fuelofwarmetal

Photograph courtesy of Innovative Photography