Frisco Fire Band

Subject: Frisco Fire Band
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 03:22 AM

Has any Catter got knowledge of the Frisco Fire Band, a group I first encountered when they arrived to do an impromptu UK tour 'way back in the midsixties? Faith Pretick was a member.

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: GUEST,Rick Fears
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 12:52 PM

I used to play in a band called Frisco Fire in the mid to late '60s. Bernard (lead guitar) and Randall (bass but only reluctantly) and myself (drums) were basically schoolkids (15-16) and played in and around the Saarland and other places in southern Germany. Many gigs on US Army bases (Zweibrucken, Kaiserlautern, etc). We may even have played Ramstein once.

I never played in the UK but Bernie and Randy may have taken the name forward - the name Faith Pretick doesn't ring a bell though, and the boys were going out with two sisters (Patricia and ?, surname also ?) when I left Germany.

HTH after all these years, but I think it was probably a different band.

Rick

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: open mike
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 01:52 PM

The San Francisco folk Music club is led by Faith Petric.
She still sings and plays, and you might find out more by
going to: http://www.sffmc.org/

they probably got their name from the fire in 1906.

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: Splott Man
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 03:57 AM

I remember the Californian band of that name, they were in the UK in the late 70s. We had them at the Cardiff Royal Infirmary Folk Club, and they also appeared at Llantrisant in the same week.
I subsequently met them on a trip over the water a few years later.

Here's another thread about Faith which mentions them.

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: open mike
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 10:27 AM

Who were the other members of the Frisco Fire band that Faith Petric was in? She is such an inspiration

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: Splott Man
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 11:30 AM

I agree about Faith. Total commitment and such a lovely person.

Stretching my memory now. When they were here, there was a blonde woman whom I recall was born in Hawaii, and there was a tall bloke who played fantastic Jew's Harp and sang a song of his own about apple picking (I remember that because he did it on my radio programme).

When I was over there (1980) the fellow was replaced by the blonde woman's husband/partner.

I'm sorry I can't remember any names. I'm sure somebody here will.

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 12:18 PM

I saw the Frisco Fire Band when they played an extended floor spot at a Birtley ceilidh in the summer of 1975 and the chap who was their leader called a few dances as well.
Saw them a few weeks later at that year's Cambridge Festival but not to speak to on that occasion.

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: GUEST,Charlie Formby
Date: 06 Dec 13 - 08:15 AM

I remember the Frisco Fire Band from when they played a gig at our Folk Club at RAF Valley Anglesey. They played all sorts of music folk ,Bluegrass, even a version of The Entertainer played on guitar. We jammed until the wee small hours of the next day then they all trouped off in their VW Caravanette,never to be seen again. I think there were seven of them in the band The only names I can recall are Faith & John,
Kate a banjo vocalist and Bob who played mandolin.

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Dec 13 - 10:33 PM

The Frisco Fire Band consisted of Faith Petric, Kate Brislin (who played banjo and sang), Tony Marcus (tall fellow who played every instrument and sang in a low voice) and Peter Kessler (singer and guitarist, probably played some mandolin). I don't know who John and Bob were. There may have been subsequent iterations - sounds from the above postings like one of them included Larry Hanks (jews harp player who wrote Apple Pickers Reel) and his (at that time) wife, Laura Smith. The original FFB toured England in the early 70s, I believe, or possibly the late 60s. Faith Petric died about a month ago, at age 98, mind still pretty sharp. There will be a memorial for her at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley on Weds. Jan. 15, and the Frisco Fire Band will be playing (Kate, Peter and Tony) along with many, many others. You can watch it live on Concert Window: http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/faith-petric-memorial
This is LIVE streaming, it is not archived, you must watch as it is happening. Among the participants are Frankie Armstrong, John McCutcheon, Ronnie Gilbert, Larry Hanks, Nancy Schimmell, Flying Karamozov Brothers, Sylvia Herold, and others. It will be a true celebration of Faith's long and rich life.

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: GUEST,Brian Dowdall,
Date: 06 Apr 21 - 10:59 AM

I saw the /Frisco fire band mid seventies Brighton England, Springfield folk club..they were my inspiration to start playing bluegrass, never looked back, had a long chat with a lovely lady, dont remember her name though

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: GUEST,Charlie Formby
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 02:41 AM

I was the Co organiser of the RAF Valley Folk club, I remember Trevor the other organiser got a letter from The Frisco Fire band asking if they could come and play for us. We agreed and they turned up and played the roof off the club. we jammed for a couple of hours after.

Subject: RE: Frisco Fire Band
From: GUEST,Lang Johnnie Mor
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 05:56 AM

They got as far North as the Thurso Folk Festival in the mid 1970s. I think I still have a photo of them playing outside the Dounreay Social Club, which was the festival main venue. Must have been on the same UK tour others have mentioned above.