1. Ska-core band from St Peter… Read Full Bio ↴There several artists with this name:
1. Ska-core band from St Petersburg.
2. US Metalcore / mathcore quintet.
3. Heavy Metal band from Italy.
4. Early 90's Garage Rock band from Sussex.
5. 1999 Australian hardcore DJ & producer.
6. Jazz and funk trio from Asheville, North Carolina.
7. Duo from Norway.
8. Heavy Metal band from Greece.
9. 4 piece rock n' roll band from Burnley, Lancashire.
10. Japanese hardcore band from Sapporo.
11. Heavy metal band from Sweden.
12. Heavy/Speed Metal band from Germany-
1. At the beginning of 1993, Spitfire played as a garage rockabilly trio, whose music also included some elements of noise. Their first live gig took place during the St.Petersburg Psycho Festival in February '93. The summer '93 brought new ideas and Spitfire began to do more noise/garage, they decided to give up their double bass for an electric bass guitar. While searching for a new sound, they did a program based on covers of '60's garage music.
At the end of 1993, their music had turned into garage punk and finally into ska-core. Actually, ska had been one of their favourite styles and a big passion for a long time before they decided to play it themselves. A saxophonist and a trumpet player joined the band in the fall '93, and Spitfire transformed from an aggressive punk gang into jolly and humorous mini-orchestra playing punk-ska. The spring '94 brought both their first recording session and a new bassist. Since mastering that first demo, Spitfire has had a number of very successful concerts at various clubs. All these gigs were full of energy and enthusiasm.
In the spring '95 they released a song on the compilation called "United Colours of Ska", Volume II, on German "Pork Pie" label. A year later they recorded an album at St.Petersburg "Melodia" studio, which was then mixed in Berlin at Pork Pie. This album, called "Night Hunting", was released in the end of 1996. Spitfire has been touring regularly since that time.
In January 1999 Spitfire had made another recording session at Vielklang studio in Berlin, and the result came out in the spring with new album "The Coast Is Clear".
In the spring '01 a keyboard player joined the band making its sound even more powerful. At the same time Spitfire started a spinoff project St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review in collaboration with the members of St.Petersburg-based afro-caribbean-oriented band Markscheider Kunst. The initial idea was to make a single-show program comprised mostly of jazz standards such as "Sidewinder", "Corcovado", "Four" and original ska tunes ("St. Thomas", "Man in the street") to perform at Sergey Kuryokhin International Festival (SKIF) in April '01.
The line-up of this band included the bariton-sax and percussion players as well as all members of Spitfire. The show gained much interest and the band went on playing live gigs on Russian club scene. The debut album was recorded in March '02 at Dobrolet studio in St. Petersburg and put out in Russia in the fall '02 on small independent label Zvezda Records.
In November '01 Spitfire musicians were invited to participate in the recording session of the band Leningrad. This band was (and still is) one of the top acts on Russian music scene. The style of Leningrad music is hard to describe, since the regular play-list of their live show includes numbers stylistically varying from ska and reggae to punk and funky hip-hop. The Leningrad album "21st Century Pirates" was released in February '02 and the whole Spitfire line-up was invited to perform at Leningrad album release show at Yubileinyy Sports Palace in St. Petersburg. From that show on Spitfire musicians work together with Leningrad: recorded 4 albums - "For millions" (2003), "Second Magadan" (2003), "Babarobot" (2004), "Huinya" (2005, together with London-based cabaret trio Tiger Lillies) and played many gigs in Russia and Europe.
In November-December '02 Spitfire, St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review and Leningrad toured the United States. 15 gigs were performed all over the Atlantic coast from Boston to Miami. All events were of much interest for American audience. The second American tour of Leningrad and Spitfire was in the summer '03. The bands performed live in such cult venues as "Irving Plaza" and "CBGB's" (New York City), "Middle East" (Boston), "The Knitting Factory" (Los Angeles).
In January '04 the third Spitfire album "Thrills And Kills" came out both in Europe on German Vielklang label and in Russia on recently opened independent Shnur'OK label. As the previous one "The Coast Is Clear", "Thrills And Kills" was also recorded and mastered at Vielklang studio in Berlin. This album was more diverse musically and included more tracks which style could be rather referred to as guitar rock with the horn section. The album release was supported by a 5-weeks-long tour: 27 gigs in Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
In the spring '04 some members of Spitfire were invited to take part in the project called "The Optymistica Orchestra". This initial aim of this project was to compose a live soundtrack for the short-cut movies compilation "10 minutes older: the violin". As it usually happens, the band went on playing live and even recorded the debut album at St. Petersburg Dobrolet studio. The album is supposed to be released in the spring '05.
At the moment Spitfire is making a new programme for their fourth album and preparing for a new European tour.
2. Spitfire is a metalcore / mathcore quintet. Originally, the band featured vocalist and guitarist Matt Beck, drummer Chris Raines, and bassist Jimmy Reeves. With this lineup, they released an EP called Straining Towards What's To Come on 2Jake Records and The Dead Next Door on Solid State Records in 1999. Later, having added new vocalist Jon Spencer, Spitfire released a second EP, called The Slideshow Whiplash, for Goodfellow Records. Soon after, in 2001, the band broke up.
In late 2004, Spitfire re-formed with new members. Reeves left the band, leaving Beck and Raines as the only original members. Spencer was again their vocalist, and they added guitarist Scottie Henry of Norma Jean, and bassist "Dr. Dan" Tulloh, formerly of Scarlet. They recorded a new album for Goodfellow Records, titled Self Help; it was released on February 28, 2006. After the recording of Self Help, Ian Sabo joined the band on bass, and Tulloh switched to guitar, giving the band three guitarists.
So far the bands present and future is unsure, however in mid 2008 the band released Cult Fiction on Goodfellow.
3. Spitfire were born in Verona, Italy, in 1981, following the New Wave of British Heavy Metal spreading all over Europe and America: they can boast the title of the first metal band in their city, and over the years to come they will be the most popular Veronese rock band in Italy.
The original composition of the group, vocals, two guitars, bass guitar and drums, have recorded a live demotape ("Spitfire", "Samurai", "Beyond Price") and also have made themselves known on a national scale thanks to radio programmes, interviews and reviews in fanzines and specialized magazines (the monthly "Rockerilla " presented the group as "the Italian Iron Maiden").
After many live concerts SPITFIRE reached in the spring of 1983 a stable line-up, featuring Giacomo Gigantelli on vocals and bass guitar, Stefano Pisani and Stefano Bianchini on guitars, Gaetano Avino on drums.
At the beginning of 1984 SPITFIRE released the 7’’ Blade Runner/A Quiet Man, published and distributed by Minotauro Records, Pavia, a new label interested in the Italian hard rock and heavy metal scene (Strana Officina, Paul Chain, Revenge).
The record was distributed in Italy, Belgium, Holland, France, England, U.S.A., and was positively welcomed by the official and underground press, radio networks and public. This led to a short Italian tour from May to July 1984 reaching Verona, Bergamo, Pavia, Naples (where SPITFIRE played together with Strana Officina and Vanadium in the Palatenda Partenope full of fans); the band played also in some metal festivals.
Currently the 7’’ is a rare piece for metal collectors; it was reissued on February 2009 by Minotauro Records.
New troubles slowed down the work of the group during 1985, until the ultimate trio line-up Giacomo Gigantelli (vocals and bass guitar), Stefano Pisani (guitar) and Gaetano Avino (drums).
During that year there were intense contacts with foreign labels interested in the Italian rock scene (Rave-On Records, Metal Blade, Axe Killer, Concret Warrior, King Classic).
This was the period of SPITFIRE’s full creative maturity: they played live up to the end of 1986 and left as a last inheritance the demo "Heroes in the Storm" ("Hurricane - I'm Free", "Merchants of Death", "Shadow of the Axe", "Stones of Venice", "Heroes in the Storm"), including the sessions for an album that should have been published for the King Classic label, which was never released due to the sudden band’s break-up.
In the meantime, irony of fate, the American magazine "Aardshock" defined SPITFIRE as a future star of the metal universe and two months after the break-up they received a proposal to include one of their tracks in an American metal compilation and the album contract from King Classic ready for signing…
In 2002 the independent label Andromeda releases the cd "Heroes in the Storm", a collection of all the songs recorded by the band; in 2004 there is a one-night SPITFIRE reunion (Giacomo Gigantelli, Stefano Pisani, Gaetano Avino) for an unique concert on the occasion of the 80's Italian Metal Legion Festival in Domegliara (VR - Italy).
From that concert was issued in the same year the cd "Live Reunion".
At the beginning of 2008 SPITFIRE join again for the pre-production of "Time and Eternity", the next band's release for the label My Graveyard Productions, featuring songs composed between 1982 and 1985, and never recorded.
4. Spitfire were an early 90's Garage Rock band from Sussex, signed to Paperhouse Records. They were a 6 piece comprising members, Jeff and Nick Pitcher, Steve Walker, Matt Wise, Justin Welch, and Scott Kenny. The band released a handful of singles, most notably Minimal Love and an album Sex Bomb in 1993.
5. In 1999 Australian hardcore DJ & producer DJ Daydream released Move and Feel This Way as a "double A-sided" single under the alias Spitfire. Feel This Way had previously appeared on the 1997 compilation "Bonkers 3: A Journey Into Madness".
6) Spitfire is a jazz and funk trio from Asheville, North Carolina. The band members are Nick Stubblefield, Jordan Harris, and Heath Towson.
7) Spitfire is also a duo from Norway. They are mainly composing music for commercials and TV shows, but they also do everything from small jingles for radio stations to full sized symphonic scores. The duos members are the brothers Audun Skau Hansen and Vegard Dahlin Skau Hansen, and they have been working together on this project since 2000.
8) Heavy Metal band from Greece.
Spitfire was the first greek band reviewed by Kerrang Magazine. They got 3/5 which was maybe the best review that a Greek band got from Kerrang.The journalist started his review with "A greek Heavy Metal band??, it is like trying to find a virgin in the tour bus of Motley Crue..." NOT MUCH TO SAY!
Line up:
Elias Logginides (guitars)
Hannibal (vox)
Panos Hatziioanides (guitars)
Nikos Michalakakos (bass)
Manos Matsos (drums)
Herc (keyboards)
9) Spitfire is a 4 piece rock n' roll band from Burnley, Lancashire in the North West of England.
10) Spitfire Japanese hardcore band from Sapporo. Played from 1986-1989.
11) Heavy metal band from Sweden. Appeared with two tracks on the legendary 'Scandinavian Metal Attack' sampler, in 1983.
12) A three-piece Speed Metal band from Karlsruhe, Germany. Founded in 2013, self-released s/t-EP in 2014.
Running Down
Spitfire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everything is nice around
Then something happens like a balloon explosion
And they're together falling down
He's standing in the crowd crying and looking around
He doesn't know how to get back
To anyone holds out his hands
No matter - enemies or friends
A man is catching his breath
And waving his hands
(Then suddenly he is losing ground)
Opens his eyes
And wants to see something
(It's still dark there's no way out)
Possibly someone
Will come to him
(Who can explain what it's all about)
(Chorus):
Flying up to heaven
Rolling down to hell
You'll never find the reason
Why the world is running down this way
(Verse 1)
(Chorus)
Empty holes inside your head
Someday may be filled
By some clever man
He'll decide your fate
And explain everything
And then you'll find
The reason why the world is running down this way
The song "Running Down" by Spitfire is a complex and multi-layered piece that touches on themes of loss, confusion, and existential despair. The opening lines describe a child holding hands with an adult man, suggesting the presence of a parental figure. However, the image of a balloon explosion and the ensuing fall creates a sense of danger and disorientation, as the child is left alone and unable to locate anyone familiar. The line "No matter - enemies or friends" implies that the child is looking for anybody who can provide comfort or a sense of safety, regardless of their relationship with him.
The second verse shifts focus to an adult who is similarly lost and searching for meaning. The image of waving hands and losing ground suggest a struggle against something larger than oneself, perhaps even a sense of helplessness or powerlessness in the face of an overwhelming force. The line "Who can explain what it's all about" speaks to a deeper existential crisis, where the individual is grappling with questions about the meaning and purpose of life.
The chorus serves as the emotional center of the song, with its haunting refrain of "Flying up to heaven, rolling down to hell, you'll never find the reason why the world is running down this way." These lines suggest a sense of chaos and unpredictability, with no clear answers or explanations for why things are the way they are. The final verse introduces the possibility of finding meaning and understanding through the agency of a "clever man" who will "decide your fate" and explain everything. However, the ambiguity of this figure and the ultimate status of the singer's search for answers leaves the listener with an unresolved feeling of unease and uncertainty.
Overall, "Running Down" is a powerful meditation on the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems indifferent and unknowable.
Line by Line Meaning
The kid holding hands with an adult man
A child holding hands with an older individual
And everything is nice around
The situation seems peaceful and pleasant
Then something happens like a balloon explosion
A sudden and unexpected event occurs
And they're together falling down
Both individuals experience a negative outcome
He's standing in the crowd crying and looking around
The child is upset and lost in a sea of people
He doesn't know how to get back
The child is unsure of how to return to safety
To anyone holds out his hands
The child is seeking help from anyone nearby
No matter - enemies or friends
The child is desperate for assistance, regardless of who it comes from
A man is catching his breath
An individual is taking a moment to recover from a stressful situation
And waving his hands
The individual is signalling for help or attention
(Then suddenly he is losing ground)
Their situation takes a turn for the worse
Opens his eyes
The individual regains consciousness
And wants to see something
They are hoping for a reassuring sight
(It's still dark there's no way out)
Their surroundings offer no sign of safety or escape
Possibly someone
There is a chance that help will arrive
Will come to him
The individual hopes to be rescued
(Who can explain what it's all about)
The situation may be incomprehensible or confusing
(Chorus):
The following lines are part of the song's chorus
Flying up to heaven
Experiencing positive moments
Rolling down to hell
Facing negative situations
You'll never find the reason
The cause of these experiences may remain elusive
Why the world is running down this way
The song is grappling with the idea of the world's decline
(Verse 1)
The following lines are a continuation of the song's first verse
(Chorus)
The following lines are a repetition of the song's chorus
Empty holes inside your head
Feelings of emptiness or confusion
Someday may be filled
A time may come when these sensations are resolved
By some clever man
A knowledgeable person may offer a solution
He'll decide your fate
This person may shape the course of one's future
And explain everything
They may offer clarity or understanding
And then you'll find
This newfound knowledge may lead to an answer for
The reason why the world is running down this way
The song's overarching question of the world's decline
Contributed by Audrey O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@laszlokiss4409
It's so awesome to see the firing order of the cylinders from the flames shooting out of the exhaust.
@anthonygolphinjr9517
The supermarine spitfire is one favorite airplane of all time
@wagonmaster1974
Grouchy, grumpy Griff - didn't want to wake up.
@idleonlooker1078
Just like being mesmerised by looking deep into a campfire, so is looking at the exhaust stubs of this Merlin!! 👍
@dawsonbruno3581
That’s a griffon engine
@idleonlooker1078
@@dawsonbruno3581 Funny that the poster who.gave me a like didn't bother correcting me, only you?? 🤔 You just gotta love those "pedantic Nazis" who's sole purpose in life is to destroy a sentiment - don't you? 🤔🙄
@SPINNER673
@@idleonlooker1078 This
@robertnicholson7733
As others have said, a Griffon, it is easy to tell (apart from the Spitfire Mark), by the bulges in the front top of the engine cowling to make room for the cam rocker covers, the firing order is different to the Merlin, and thus it sounds quite different. Also it turns in the opposite direction and thus so too does the propeller.
@kennethfinnegan2937
I don't want to start at 4am either.........
@kennethfinnegan2937
The beginning of this video is like me trying to start the MK1 Ford capri 3 litre GT. It's like "nah I'm cold, leave me alone, go away".............