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Fireheart raise £11,500 after smashing their £10,500 Kickstarter target in just 12 days and reveal Florence Black will produce their debut release.
Fireheart have announced two huge milestones as they prepare to enter the next chapter of the band. The band’s incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign has now reached £11,500, having smashed through its original £10,500 target just 12 days into the 30-day campaign.
The overwhelming response has helped make Fireheart’s plans for their debut album a reality and the band can now reveal who they’ll be working with to bring it to life. Florence Black will produce, record, mix and master Fireheart’s debut release at Blackline Studios in Wales, with work on the first singles set to begin in September 2026. The album is scheduled for release in March 2027.
The collaboration sees two rock forces coming together, with both bands hugely excited about what they can create in the studio.
Tristan Thomas, Frontman of Florence Black said:
“We’re proper buzzing to be working with Fireheart on their debut album! There’s a real energy around the band and the material they’ve been writing, so we’re really looking forward to getting them into our studio, pushing the songs as far as we can and making a record that really captures what Fireheart are all about. Can’t wait to get stuck into it!”
Kev Baker, rhythm guitarist and one of the founders of Fireheart said:
“The response to the Kickstarter has been unbelievable. £10,500 was a massive target for us, so to hit it in just 12 days and then push on to £11,500 has completely blown us away.
That support is allowing us to make the record we want to make and we couldn’t be more excited to announce that we’ll be doing it with Florence Black.
We’ve got huge respect for what they do and we know how much they understand big, powerful rock music. Having them produce, record, mix and master our debut release at Blackline Studios feels like the perfect fit.
We start working on the singles in September. We seriously cannot wait to get started.”
The successful crowdfunding campaign represents a major step forward for Fireheart, giving the band the backing to approach their debut release with the ambition they believe it deserves.
With £11,500 raised, Florence Black behind the desk and studio work beginning in September, the next era of Fireheart is officially underway. This is only the beginning.
Formed in December 2024, Fireheart is a new force in UK hard rock, made up of five battle-tested musicians from some of the scene’s most exciting acts:
• Russ Grimmett (Sons of Liberty) – Vocals
• Kev Baker (formerly The Hot One Two) – Rhythm Guitar
• Neil Hackett (formally of Iconic Eye / The Whisky Syndicate) – Lead Guitar
• Bret Barnes (formerly Kira Mac) – Bass
• Chris Hopton (formerly The Gypsy Pistoleros) – Drums
Each member brings a story of struggle and redemption, both personal and musical. United by shared experiences and a burning desire to create something honest, Fireheart channel their history into anthems of hope and resilience. Their aim is wanting to play music that was more uplifting live, songs that are fully of intense energy and emotion to make people feel something real, then leave smiling.
Fireheart isn’t just a band, it’s a brotherhood forged in struggle, resilience, and an unshakable love for music. Each member has faced their own battles with mental health, personal loss, and self-doubt, yet they’ve come together to create something powerful. Their music isn’t just about playing rock, it’s about survival, about proving that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can always get back up.
At the heart of Fireheart is Kev Baker (Guitarist, formerly of The Hot One Two), a musician whose battle with depression and anxiety has shaped him as much as his guitar playing. He spent years feeling like he was never enough, and when he was unexpectedly dismissed from The Hot One Two, the band he had poured everything into, it felt like confirmation of his worst fears. But instead of letting it destroy him, he chose to fight back. Kev is known for his brutally honest social media presence, openly discussing his darkest moments and his estrangement from his parents. Through his musica nd his words, he’s built a deep connection with fans who see themselves in his struggles, proving that no one has to go through it alone.
Bret Barnes (Bass Player, formerly of Kira Mac) didn’t start out as a bassist, his first instrument was the saxophone, which he still plays today. As a teenager, he realized that bass players were rare, so he picked one up (the wrong way around at first) and never looked back. He has been through the highs and lows of being in multiple bands, and after his last project fell apart, he was ready to sell his Rickenbackers and walk away from music. Instead, Fireheart reignited his passion. Coming from a family of Land Rover enthusiasts, he’s used to getting his hands dirty and fixing things, but now, he’s putting that same energy into making this band work, because for him, this is the last shot.
Russ Grimmett (Singer of Sons of Liberty) was born into music. With a touring musician for a father, he grew up hearing about the harsh realities of the industry, but that never stopped him from chasing his own dream. Despite running a successful IT business and having two amazing kids, he still wrestles with feelings of self-doubt and never being good enough. Mental health is a constant battle, but Fireheart has given him something bigger than himself. With a band that understands the struggles, and a growing fan community built on honesty and support, Russ has found a place where passion outweighs doubt, and where music truly has the power to heal.
Chris Hopton (Drummer, formerly of The Gypsy Pistoleros, Tiger Tailz and Life of a Hero) has had rock and roll running through his veins since birth. His father was a drummer, his mother a die-hard rock fan, it was inevitable that he’d follow the same path. But just as his career was gaining momentum, he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, throwing everything into uncertainty. For a time, he feared his health would force him to quit music altogether. But after surgeries and treatment, he’s back behind the kit, more determined than ever to prove that nothing, not illness, not setbacks, not life’s curveballs, can stand in the way of passion.
Neil Hackett (Guitars – One Minus Hope, and former guitarist for The Whiskey Syndicate and Iconic Eye) has been playing in bands for 30 years. As a young lad, he always dreamed of achieving ‘rock star’ status! Well that hasn’t quite worked out just yet, but there’s still time, so he’s still here, chipping away and holding on to a small part of that seemingly unobtainable dream.
The last few years have been challenging. Dealing with the loss of a best friend, the ensuing grief and personal struggles, he almost gave up on playing music. Regular therapy sessions definitely helped to get him back in the game and into the right mindset to apply for the lead guitarist spot in Fireheart. With a renewed sense of self-worth, this was about a new challenge and seeking new experiences. Now he’s secured the lead guitarist position, he feels he has joined a band of brothers with shared life experiences and is ready to forge ahead and embrace the good times.
Fireheart is more than a band. It’s a movement. It’s five musicians who have been knocked down time and time again but refuse to stay down. It’s for anyone who has ever felt lost, broken, or like they weren’t enough. Because in Fireheart, no one fights alone.
Connect with Fireheart HERE
