Brett Scallions on World Fire Brigade, Fuel and Elvis Presley (INTERVIEW)

Brett Scallions has so far had one of the most varied, coolest rock and roll careers we know of. Originally the lead vocalist for Fuel, from there he played with The X's, Circus Diablo and was chosen as the singer for Riders on the Storm, featuring original Doors members Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek.

These days, Scallions is as busy as ever.

Not only is he back singing in Fuel (after leaving for several years), Scallions is also in 1,2,3 Go!, a project featuring Stefan Lessard from the Dave Matthews Band, Mike McCready from Pearl Jam and Ken Schalk of Fuel.

But in terms of the Noisecreep universe, our readers should take special notice of World Fire Brigade. Fronted by Scallions, the group also features Smile Empty Soul singer/guitarist Sean Danielsen and producer Eddie Wohl (Anthrax, 36 Crazyfists). Earlier this year, the band released Spreading My Wings, their debut album. The 14-track collection is stuffed with fat ass guitar riffs and even bigger vocal hooks. We heavily recommend it.

Scallion is a blur, but Noisecreep was able to track him down recently for a conversation about his crazy professional life.

Brett, how do you make sense of this crazy last year?

It's been a really busy and quite entertaining year for sure. World Fire Brigade was released and received lots of positive feedback, which made me feel really good. I was just trying to write great songs, I didn't really know what we were gonna do so the goal was just write fun music. Originally we were writing songs for other bands but they felt so good we keep them for ourselves. We toured all summer, then I got right back in the studio. There is a lot of juggling to be sure but I think these are all cool projects – I have so many great musicians around me, everyone is so energetic and creative so it makes my world fun.

Listen to the World Fire Brigade Album

What's next for Fuel?

I've been writing the new Fuel record, will start recording soon and I'm crossing my fingers for a spring/summer release. We'll really want to get it in the hands of the fans and then head out to tour.

How has the re-entry been with Fuel since you re-joined the band?

Before I left in '05 I felt really lost. I wasn't enjoying what I was doing, and if you're not having fun then why are you doing it? I just needed to walk away and re-assess what my life was and where my career was going. I guess it was sort of a mid-life crisis. I wasn't happy and I needed to figure myself out until found my passion again. And I'll say I have a really new-found appreciation for this band.

Was there an early concert you saw growing up in the Memphis area that inspired or influenced you?

My very first concert: I was four and my parents took me to see Elvis Presley at the Mid-South Coliseum. I remember the flashes, the sounds – I do have a vivid memory of it. Near the Memphis area, the energy of Elvis was always in the air. I'm so thankful they took me to that. When I was a kid I used to get up and try and to be Elvis. Then when I was a little bit older I remember seeing The Cult on the Sonic Temple tour. They had so much energy in the show – I just thought, oh my God this what I want to do.