All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion is the debut full-length studio album by American rock band Fireworks.
Background
Fireworks formed in Metro Detroit, Michigan in 2005.[6] The band consisted of vocalist David Mackinder, guitarists Brett Jones and Chris Mojan, bassist Kyle O'Neil, and drummer Tymm Rengers.[6] The group released a demo, Can't Hardly Wait, before releasing the We Are Everywhere (2006) EP the following year.[6] The group supported the EP by touring with bands such as Set Your Goals, Valencia, and Strung Out.[6] In 2008 the band released another EP, Adventure, Nostalgia, and Robbery through Run for Cover.[7] The EP featured one new song, a cover and two re-recordings of previously released songs.[7] On July 31, it was announced that the band had signed to Triple Crown.[8] A friend of the band gave Fred from Triple Crown their EP, from there the band "just kept bothering Fred until he signed us."[9] In the announcement, the band realized they had not released much new material and reassured that they were working towards an album.[8] The group was "extremely excited" to have signed with Triple Crown.[8] In August, the band toured with Hit the Lights.[8]
Composition and recording
Compared to their past work, Mojan thought the band "made a nice but smooth progression."[9] Some of the material "is more angry, some stuff is more rocking."[9] O'Neil claimed the material sounded "more mature and developed" than their previous work.[10] In terms of lyrics, he thought they "have definitely grown as people".[10]All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion was recorded over the course of two and a half weeks[10] in October 2008[8] at Buzz Bomb Sound Lab.[9] 14 songs had been recorded in total, 12 of them appeared on the finished version of the album.[9] It was produced by Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory[6] and mixed by Paul Miner. The group knew of gilbert through mutual friends, but the idea of working with him came from Fred of Triple Crown.[9]
Release
In November 2008, the band went on tour with This Time Next Year.[11] Following this, the band went on a brief tour with Polar Bear Club, Forfeit and the Swellers in December.[12][13] On January 29, 2009, All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion was announced for release in two months' time.[14] On February 13, 2009, "Detroit" was made available for streaming via the band's Myspace profile.[15] In March, the band went on a tour of the US with This Time Next Year. A Loss for Words, Title Fight and Transit appeared on select dates.[16] On March 17, "Come Around" was made available for streaming.[17] After a planned winter release,[8] and then a spring release,[18]All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion was eventually released on 24 March[19] through Triple Crown.[6] A European edition was released by Hassle.[20] The album's title is taken from a quote by American author Jack Kerouac. Throughout April, the band went on a co-headlining tour with We Are the Union. Though the tour was intended to run into May,[21] Fireworks replaced Shai Hulud on their tour with New Found Glory from mid-April.[22] Alongside Crime in Stereo and Title Fight, the band toured the US in June.[23] In July, the band filmed a music video for "Detroit".[24]
From mid-July until late August, the band supported Set Your Goals.[25] In late August and early September, the band supported Four Year Strong.[26] The band supported Hit the Lights on their Manatour tour between early October and early November.[27] The band went on a co-headlining tour with The Wonder Years in mid-November.[28] From late-November to mid-December, the band toured Europe, alongside Set Your Goals and Broadway Calls.[29] On January 11, 2010, the music video for "Detroit" was posted online.[30] The band were initially planned to support Anti-Flag[31] but were replaced by Star Fucking Hipsters, The Menzingers, Trash Talk and Broadway Calls.[32] From late January to mid-March, the band supported New Found Glory on their US tour.[33] In early June, the band supported Four Year Strong on their Enemy of Europe Tour.[34] In July, the band went on a tour of the US with Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals, the Swellers and Grave Maker.[35] From mid-August until early October, the band supported the Swellers on their tour of the US.[36]
Track listing
"Geography, Vonnegut and Me" – 3:43
"Come Around" – 2:53
"Closet Weather" – 2:35
"2923 Monroe St." – 3:12
"Holiday" – 2:32
"I Support Same Sex Marriage" – 3:25
"Show Me Your Vanishing Act One More Time" – 0:57
"You've Lost Your Charm" – 2:37
"Again and Again" – 3:14
"Detroit" – 3:56
"When We Stand on Each Other We Block Out the Sun" – 3:35
Personnel
Fireworks
David Mackinder – lead vocals, keyboard, piano, guitars
