#152 Jay Pounders, Eddie Freeze, Brad Peet, Dennis Amrbose (Crossfire Choir)

The Story of Crossfire Choir: The Florida Years & Early History With Jay Pounders, Dennis Amrbose, Brad Peet & Eddie Freeze

In this episode, Jay Pounders (vocals/guitar), Dennis Ambrose (bass), Brad Peet (drums), and Eddie Freeze (keyboards/vocals) of Crossfire Choir reunite for the first time in nearly 40 years to discuss the band's history.

The conversation begins in South Florida in the late 1970s, from Jay and Eddie meeting at Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach to the early bands, musicians, and local venues that shaped Crossfire Choir. They revisit the band's early-1980s experiments with keyboards, drum machines, and four-track recording, their first demo cassette, local radio airplay, and the connections that helped lead them out of Florida.

After relocating to New Jersey, Crossfire Choir became part of the Northeast music scene, playing regularly at CBGB's and opening for Culture Club, Thompson Twins, Midnight Oil, Love and Rockets, Chuck Berry, and others. The band reflects on its relationship with CBGB's owner Hilly Kristal, signing with Geffen Records, traveling to England to record with producer Steve Lillywhite at RAK and the Townhouse, and touring across the United States.

Along the way, the four share stories about musical influences, songwriting, life on the road, memorable performances, and the friendships that endured through the band's different eras. Their memories sometimes differ, making this reunion an opportunity to revisit the people and experiences behind Crossfire Choir's story.