Fire Ants

The Fire Ants were an early ‘90s American grunge and alternative rock band from Seattle. With blues-driven guitar riffs and a fiery rock n’roll influence, The Fire Ants’ music helped pioneer Seattle’s grunge scene at a time when iconic bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam were gaining attention. The Fire Ants are widely regarded as having had the potential to become a supergroup, despite the band breaking up in 1993.

Best known for their one and only album ‘Stripped’ (1992), the would-be supergroup contained prominent members of the Seattle grunge scene including drummer Chad Channing (Nirvana), guitarist Kevin Wood (Malfunkshun), vocalist Brian Wood (Devilhead/ Hater) and bassist Dan McDonald (Native Messiah). Kevin and Brian’s other brother, Andy Wood, formed Malfunkshun together with Kevin but left to start Mother Love Bone (which later became Pearl Jam), whereas Kevin went on to form The Fire Ants.

‘Stripped’ was a 6-track EP that included lead single ‘Bodies by the Side of the Road’, as well as ‘Mine, His, Alive’, ‘100 Wives’, ‘Waiting on your love’, ‘Powerhead’ and ‘The Letter Says (live)’. Chad said of the EP: “While the disc is pretty grungy at times, the music is always clean and tight, and makes for a good listen. ‘Stripped' is a fine first effort.” Kevin described their sound as “loud, crushing rock” that “tended to be a bit bluesier at times.”

Recorded by Jack Endino, commonly known as the godfather of grunge for his work on seminal albums from bands like Nirvana, Mudhoney and Soundgarden, and assisted by Phil Ek (Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Mudhoney), the album was recorded at Seattle’s Reciprocal Recording - the same legendary studio where Chad and Jack had previously recorded Nirvana’s ‘Bleach’ together. Initial demo sessions were produced and engineered by Marty Jourard (The Motels).

The band broke up in ’93 after releasing their one album due to issues with lead singer Brian Wood. After The Fire Ants, Brian and Kevin signed with Loosegroove Records, formed by Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard, and released two albums under the name Devilhead. Chad formed a new band, Before Cars, and continued releasing music.