In 1997, with a major record label contract on the line, Tod A threw away the free meal ticket to begin a band that fused punk rock with gypsy and klezmer tunes. The idea was ridiculous and unheard of at the time, but we’ve got the ex-Cop Shoot Cop member to thank inspiring diverse bands such as Gogol Bordello, Balkan Beat Box and Beirut. Tod A first drew inspiration from a dusty box full of klezmer tunes, but now is inspired by the stories, people and music of the places he has traveled. His albums have included musical influences ranging from spy jazz to Mexican banda, from Russian Folk to Classic Bollywood. Firewater’s music transcends any neat genre box you could place it in.
Tod continues to challenge himself and his fans musically by constantly re-inventing the band. Firewater is best described as a loose music collective, whose ever rotating members have included Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard), Jennifer Charles (Elysian Fields), Oren Kaplan (Gogol Bordello), and Tamir Muskat (Balkan Beat Box). This band will never revert to a formula to create its sound. “I think,” says Tod A, “there will always be people that would rather be surprised, instead of just satiated.”