As musicians, the members of the hard rock band “Fire in the Sky” know a thing or two about harmony, and as close friends they live out the meaning of the word.
    Inspired by the hard rock of the eighties, the group of four seniors and one college sophomore meets every week to write and practice original music.
The idea of starting a band began growing in the minds of guitarist, Guerin Rowland, and drummer, Ali Haque in October of 2010 during a jam session. Once the seed had been planted, all they needed was a few more musicians to complete the ensemble. That’s when they turned to vocalist, Jordan Everts, and bassist, Jourdan Watson, who is currently studying at Jackson Community College.
    “We sounded awful to begin with,” Everts laughed. “But we cleaned it up pretty well.”
Elizabeth Bondarenko is the band’s most recent addition, officially joining the group in October of this year. She has played the piano since elementary school, usually performing classical and Broadway music (quite a leap from the hard rock of Fire in the Sky). 
    “Because of our different tastes, [the music] becomes a mixture that is different than anything else out there,” Bondarenko said.
    Outside the practice room, the five members of Fire in the Sky remain close friends. The chemistry that they have is evident in their practices and performances.
    “Music is raw emotion,” Bondarenko said. “But we’re tight knit and comfortable together. We can throw any ideas that we have out there.”
    Since the band’s genesis, they have performed at the Cascades Bandshell as well as at the Senior Auction. They are also scheduled to perform at the Michigan Theater on February 10.  
    As for goals, Fire in the Sky has the typical rock and roll dream: Get out there, make an album, do what they love to do. 
    “We want to make rock what it used to be,” Everts said. “No more of that cookie cutter pop.”
    “Our main goal is just to rock everybody,” Rowland said. 
    Apart from the visions of tour buses and record deals dancing in their heads, the music also provides a much needed escape from the chaos that is senior year.
    “It’s a great relaxation,” Everts said. “It lets us take school less seriously, which in a way makes us do better. It’s a perfect stress release.”
    Underneath their love for music, the driving drum beats, the wailing guitar solos and the passionate vocals there is a deep friendship- the glue that holds the band together. 
    “I could see music as a career, especially with these guys,” Everts said. “I wouldn’t want to pursue it without them. It just wouldn’t make sense.”