Ignite

A socially and politically conscious hardcore four-piece hailing from Orange County, Ignite emerged in 1993 with an aggressive, yet melodic rock sound. The group found commercial success in 2000 with the release of their third long-player A Place Called Home. Since then, they have maintained a rabid fan base both at home and abroad via their intense and inclusive live performances and spirited efforts like Our Darkest Days (2006) and A War Against You (2016).
Formed in 1993, the distinctive voice of frontman Zoli Teglas (who grew up in both Hungary and L.A.) is the chief force behind the band’s uncompromising esthetic. Teglas’ brother is a wildlife preservation veterinarian, so Teglas has taken account with such issues as environmental concerns and vegetarianism — common topics found on the band’s breakthrough 2000 release A Place Called Home. Representing earth-minded organizations such as Earth First, Doctors Without Borders, and Sea Shepherds, Ignite played several benefit shows with proceeds going to these particular groups, among others.
Ignite released a handful of singles, demos, and two full-lengths — 1995′s Call on My Brothers and 1996′s Past Our Means EP — before making their TVT label debut with A Place Called Home in May 2000. By then, the band comprised Teglas, bassist Brett Rasmussen, guitarist Brian Balchack (who had replaced Joe D. Foster), and drummer Craig Anderson (replacing Casey Jones). Achieving a dedicated following overseas, Ignite toured extensively throughout the late ‘90s, including European dates played on the Vans’ Warped Tour, the U.K.’s Reading Festival, Hungary’s Pepsi Sziget Festival, and Sweden’s Hultsfred Festival, as well as dates with Pennywise and Sick of It All. Teglas briefly took over lead vocals in 2000 for a reunited and touring Misfits. Ignite left TVT in 2001, and while the band was between labels, Teglas and Rassmussen did some work with the side project California United that they’d formed with the Lonely Kings’ Jon Barrysmith and Jet Lag’s Nik Hill, playing a handful of European dates together in 2003.
Back on the Ignite front, the members played their first U.S. shows together in two years in early summer 2004 before heading out globally. They signed to Abacus Recordings in mid-2005, entering the studio that fall to begin work on their next album. Our Darkest Days appeared in May 2006, and the band — now with second guitarist Nik Hill on board — supported it on shows with Rise Against, Blacklisted, and Set Your Goals. Their long-awaited follow-up, A War Against You, coincided with the 2016 edition of the EMP Persistance Tour, which Ignite headlined.
Teglas left the group in 2020 to focus on his twin passions, music and animal rescue. He formed a new project, Ocean Hills, who released their debut album later that year. ~ MacKenzie Wilson & Corey Apar