Care Bears on Fire

ByLets Go Punk

Care Bears on Fire was a dynamic punk band hailing from Brooklyn, New York, comprised of Sophie on vocals and guitar, and Izzy on drums. The band originally formed in 2005 with a lineup that included Sophie Kasakove, Lucio Westmoreland, Michael (Lyle) Kokiko, August Rosenthal, and Isadora “Izzy” Schappell-Spillman—all classmates at Park Slope’s Berkeley Carroll School.

Formation and Evolution

Lead guitarist Michael (Lyle) Kokiko and singer-keyboardist August Rosenthal left the band in 2006 due to creative differences. Over time, the lineup saw changes, including the departure of bassist Lucio, who was replaced by LuLu and, subsequently, Jena (who left in 2011). The band described itself as a pop punk group, infusing elements of alternative and garage rock into their sound.

Musical Journey

Care Bears on Fire released their first full-length LP, I Stole Your Animal, on September 28, 2007. This released at a party in Brooklyn. Their second album, Get Over It, was released in July 2009 on S-Curve Records.

History and Breakthrough

The band’s origin dates back to 2005 when Sophie, Lucio, and Izzy were in 5th grade. They experimented with various names before settling on “Care Bears on Fire.” This choice was influenced by their desire to blend sweetness with edginess. Their breakthrough came in 2006 when New York Magazine featured them. This earned them recognition from Spin Magazine as key players in the emerging New York kid-core scene.

I Stole Your Animal Era

The debut album, I Stole Your Animal, released on October 2, 2007. This garnered positive reviews, with critics praising the catchy songs and earnest rhythm section. Sophie’s presence extended beyond the music. She was featured in a 2007 Converse ad playing an acoustic version of their song, “Everybody Else.”

Get Over It!

The second full-length album, Get Over It!, dropped on July 14, 2009. This featured collaborations with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and Travis Clark of We The Kings. The band’s single “Everybody Else” was lauded as the “coolest song in the world” of the week on Steven Van Zandt’s radio show.

TV Guest Appearances

Care Bears on Fire made notable TV appearances, including a guest spot on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP. They were also featured on the Late Show with David Letterman. Their music video for “Everybody Else” aired on Nickelodeon’s TeenNick channel. They also made a cameo on an episode of Nickelodeon’s Victorious.

The band’s versatility extended to cover songs. Popular renditions include Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” This appeared in the closing credits of a True Blood episode and Macy’s 2017 back-to-school commercial.

Discography

  • Confuse Me EP (2006)
  • I Stole Your Animal (Daisy Explosion, 2007)
  • Get Over It! (S-Curve, 2009)
  • Girls Like It Loud EP (S-Curve, 2010)

Similar Posts