Call the Fire Brigade

By Sebastian Bendix

The Fire Brigade is the hottest rock band in all the land, a fact that struggling music journalist Devin MacDiarmid can't seem to escape. When he gets a call from old friend Luke Winter, who happens to be the band's lead singer, an offer is made that is too good to refuse – a chance to chronicle the Fire Brigade's new tour. Believing this is his chance to land in the big leagues Devin accepts, putting aside his feelings of jealousy at his friend's astronomical success. Expecting the road to be one big party, Devin is shocked to find that life with the Fire Brigade is a far cry from his rock n' roll dreams. But what seems pleasant and wholesome on the surface proves to be far more sinister than the excesses of stardom. As the tour travels deeper into America's heartland, and into darkness itself, Devin begins to fear that the cost of success might come at his very soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sebastian Bendix
• Release date: Dec 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310212918

Sebastian Bendix

Sebastian Bendix is a Los Angeles based writer and musician, as well as founder of horror film series, Friday Night Frights. He attended school at Emerson College for creative writing and spent his formative years in Boston playing in popular local band The Ghost of Tony Gold. Upon moving to LA he shifted his focus back to writing and began contributing articles to entertainment websites such as CHUD.com and the print publication Mean Magazine. However, his true passion lies in the realm of horror fiction. Bendix has found success both online and in print with numerous stories published in genre imprints and noted podcast The Wicked Library. In 2013, Bendix self-published his first horror/fantasy novel titled "The Patchwork Girl." This was followed by his second novel, "The Stronghold," a thrilling story inspired by real-life events, which has been published and is available digitally and in print. Alongside his writing endeavors, Sebastian Bendix is also a devoted film lover. He has made contributions to a science fiction anthology film called "Portals," released in October 2019. Recently, Bendix completed "Hell Bent for Heather", a horror novel in the style of Stephen King that he hopes will be the definitive take on heavy metal horror, it is currently out to publishers. He also just published "Hollow Jack & the Blood Curse of Blackwater", the first in a series of western horror novellas centered around a supernatural gunslinger. Sebastian Bendix's diverse background in writing, music, and film influences his unique storytelling style, making him a notable figure in the world of horror fiction. Bendix currently resides in Atlanta with his wife Jennifer and their supermutt Annie.

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CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE

By Sebastian Bendix

Copyright 2015 Sebastian Bendix

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 Sebastian Bendix

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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The Fire Brigade. All that was on anyone’s mind these days was the goddamn Fire Brigade. There it was staring him right in the face – Luke Winter’s crooning, soulful head on a massive billboard on Sunset announcing their lauded new album In Memoriam. Devin saw it every day on his drive to the office, and it made him sick.

It had been three years now that Darla had noticed it in the trades. A mutual friend from back in Devin’s rock band days, Luke Winter, had formed an indie band and gotten signed. A few weeks later the album dropped – Designated Mourner. Devin didn’t think much of it. It would probably pan out for Luke the way it panned out for most; a poorly promoted album, a barely noticed tour opening up for some bigger band, then it would be back to the dust bins for Luke and his band the Fire Brigade and Devin could go back to doing what he did best – blogging about how most modern music sucked. He was happy to wish his old comrade in rock n’ roll best of luck in this futile endeavor. You’re gonna need it, kid.

The reviews rolled in. To call them ecstatic would be an understatement. David Fricke of Rolling Stone called them the only essential band of the last five years. Other famous musicians joined in the praise. Michael Stipe. Bono. David fucking Bowie. There were sell-out concerts headlining major arenas, guest spots on talk shows and SNL, sightings of movie stars wearing Fire Brigade t-shirts, a Grammy nomination for best new artist; the world was gripped with Fire Brigade Fever. They have to suck miserably, Devin mused. There’s no other explanation as to why everyone is so fucking gaga for them.

Then Devin listened to the album. He actually cried during the final track, Cage Up the Animals. Fucking cried. He hated himself for that. Hated himself for having to admit that they were good. Maybe even great.

That was three years ago. Darla was gone, Devin was working as