Caged Fury
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13,935 views
Caged Fury was formed in 1992 with the merger of 2 high school bands out of Poland, and long time friends of Chris, Jay, and Mark. Additions and lineups changed over the years to come. The core of the music was unchanged. IN the fall of 1999, their first demo CD was recorded called "Set Me Free". Songs were very popular with fans and the music was strong. Over next year though, Chris and Jay would depart the band for family reasons. Nolan and Alan joined the team with the core band members of Ken, Bill, and Mark from previous Fury sessions. The band was extremely successful through 2001 before the band was disbanded once again. Now, back together from time to time, to just have fun with it!Band/artist history
The Beginning
In the fall of 1992, 3 kids got together to start the beginning of what was to become Caged Fury Using Chris' dirt garage floor. Jason Kahler and Chris Ingersoll had played together for years. They frequently busted Mark's balls about knowing if he could play the guitar he carried in school. Little did they know, he really didn't! All high school mates of Poland Central, things seemed to click right from the start. Soon, the trio had written their first original. One that would stick with the band through out it's entire run. The song was called Why? Quickly it became the staple song of the Fury, and very popular among fans. The band began to practice more, but there was a need to fill another guitar spot. The search was on. Wade Shorter came in, and the band jammed at Wade's parents place. The band had lots of fun, but it just didn't fit. Jay and Mark then selected another school mate, Ken Darrow. Although just starting to learn, Ken had the drive needed to complete the band. Practices began to be organized at Ken's place. Brian Kelly rounded out the group at bass. Jay took another song Mark had written, but put a new guitar riff behind the idea. The song Set Me Free was born. Along for the ride came a song Mark and his cousin Jeff Wright had written some years before that, Bite Down Hard Practices continued through 92' and 93'. Progress seemed slow. Some gigs came along. The bands first gig came when they opened for Toast in Utica. But they soon got a taste of how cruel and rough the music business can be. Then the band did a benefit gig at Poland Central School for the Linda Trzepacz memorial concert organized by Ed Rosenburg. Ed's band played a hot set of classic music. Then the Fury took stage at a young age. A video remains (out there somewhere). Mark actually had long hair then! And Simon Bar Sinister performed a kick ass set. Little did everyone know a few years later, they would call on Simon's bass player, and long time musician Bill Wenzel. Other than that, the band performed mostly parties at Ken's place during practices was the only action the band would see. Response from people at those parties was very strong though, so the formula was there. Would it come together?
Not Right Away
In fall of 94', Mark was forced to leave the band. A decision that broke the hearts of all those involved. Mark encouraged the band to move on, and it did. Living in Kenny's house, the band practiced continually. Tom Morgan began to play bass and became the new lead singer. Living off Ramon Noodles, the band began to write again. And a new song took life, Now Jay called upon Mark again to stop by Spring of 94'. And a few jams happened. But Mark was to not rejoin until summer of 94' with a new band called Jester. Jester was formed when Jay and Tommy left the Fury to pursue 2 other friends who were playing together, Emo and Greg Smith. Ken and Chris stayed on, but were disappointed in their mates decisions. Jay soon called upon Mark again. And the band began to practice at Smity's mom's house. New jams of Candlebox, Tool, Type 0 Negative, Metallica, Collective Soul and new original songs began to flow. The band clicked, for awhile. Then in fall 94', with Mark's lack of interest, the band decided to part ways with him. Soon after a short run, the band split ways with Emo also. Then, in 95', The Fury would return.
95' Unite/Divide
Sometime in 95', Jay called up Mark to join Caged Fury once again. This time the band consisted of Jason Kahler (lead guitars/vocals) Ken Darrow (rhythm guitars) Greg Smith (drums) Tommy Morgan (bass/vocals) and Mark Mowers (vocals) Things clicked for awhile, and then the band played the "Battle of the Bands" at Lily's (Varick St. Utica) and rocked their original music. The response was overwhelming, and needless to say, the band waked the place up. They did not win, but respect was there, as they were honorably mentioned for kicking ass. A tape and video were made of the show, and float around till this day. But gigs were hard to find, and the band began to lose speed again. Eventually, with the departure of Greg Smith to pursue a Fireman career, the band split for a second time. It would be 2 years before the fire would ignite again.
New Life
With Jay, Kenny, Brian, and Chris still trying to put things together over the last 2 years, Jason called Mark to join the band once again. After a few practices, and as hard as Brian tried, it was evident the band needed to tighten it's bass player. A call during a steak dinner solved that issue. Little did Bill Wenzel know he was hired before he even came to a "jam" session practice! Practices at Kenny's place got the band tight in a hurry. And the next step was evident for Bill. He had contacted someone to record the band. To get the band a demo CD for promotion. Bill hooked up Mark and Jason with Brian Redmond and a date was set to record the bands first CD. Entitled Set Me Free the CD would include staple originals like Why?, Bite Down Hard, Set Me Free, and Restless Heart but also included some new songs from Jason Now, Died Tonight and new work from Mark Trail of Tears, Mister Recording began and took about 4 weeks to complete. The bands main tracks were laid for all songs in a couple of sessions, so the album had a very live, raw sound. This was also during the early stages of Redmonds career, so he was still learning as well. After mastering, Mark went back one final time to add the acoustic track Mister With the completion of their first CD, The Fury began to hit the stage all over the Mohawk Valley and quickly became popular. A following also began, and with that, people began to sing our own songs back to the band! In 99', Mark hooked back up with Brian Redmond to add another track to the CD. Lift Me Up was recorded with Brian and Mark laying down all the tracks for a more polished sound. Both showed their experience was growing. The band rolled on with gigs at venues like McGill's, Fozzie's, Irwin House, Clifford's Tavern, Myron's (rome), Albies, and various benefit gigs that the band was always very willing to help out for. Mark had assumed all management and promotion for the band, with additional help from the other band members. Mark and Ken had also sacrificed a great deal of money to load up the front end sound for the Fury. And transportation of it all. Then in late 99' more decisions would have to be made.
Still Gaining Speed
With the departure of the band's drummer, Chris, late 99' and early 2000, the band searched for a replacement. Things were not easy. And finally Mark turned upon someone who had been mentioned to him as playing very well at home and at parties, but was not with anyone. Mark left a demo CD on Alan Alsheimer's doorstep, and he was called upon to try out for the band. Being very nervous, Alan's first practice didn't go all that well. Mark could see talent there, and despite the rest of the band wanting to try someone else, Mark convinced them Alan was their guy. Soon after, things began to click. And the opinion of the band had changed, and began to gain speed again. Gigs continued to flow. And the band outstretched to Syracuse and then to Alex Bay. Even a series of fights could not break the momentum, first at McGill's (one of the worst ever seen, 4 troopers, 2 ambulances, and bodies all over the parking lot!), then at Clifford's (cleared the bar, more bodies). Everyone began to blame the band, but the band was just doing shows as they always have. But the crowds were bigger. And with big crowds and alcohol, came conflicts. Then Jason announced that he no longer wanted to play and was going to pursue a life with his new wife Kim and their family. But Jay didn't leave the band hanging, a band he had really started. He would stay till a replacement was found. Mark called upon Alan to contact a very talented person who played in a band that opened for The Fury at the Tombstone. Other guitarists were tried in the meantime. But nothing clicked. Finally, the call would come.
A New Level
Enter Nolan Snyder. Things just clicked. And the band had brought itself to a new level. To come in and play lead guitar on so many songs in such a short time was unbelievable. The band consisted of Nolan Snyder (lead guitar/vocals) Ken Darrow (rhythm guitars/vocals) Bill Wenzel (bass/vocals) Alan Alsheimer (drums/vocals) and Mark Mowers (lead vocals/acoustics) A new stronger following began. Especially in our home town, at the Irwin House "Gary you Fat bastard" as Paully would say! With Pat and Stemmer screaming and singing while bartending, and Paully trying to alcoholically induce the whole band, the place always rocked (as many of you remember). And will never be the same. Summer of 2001' brought WOUR's battle of the bands. And although the Fury (and everyone else there, including the other bands) felt as though they won, it was a great experience with very positive feedback. Not only from the fans, but from WOUR and everyone involved. Soon after, the band Hollow began to team up with The Fury. Mark and company liked what they saw and heard from the band, and thought they had potential. But fall of 2001 brought on the end of the run. With the announcement that Nolan was to depart for California, the band was left with no choices. Mark and crew could not see a replacement in the near future, so all bookings were cancelled and the members went their separate ways. Their last 2 shows were at Champ's Sport Bar and the home town crowd of the Irwin House. Ken had recently had a serious motorcycle accident and was unable to play the last 2 shows because of a tear in the muscle of his arm. Jason Kahler returned to fill the spot. The Irwin House overflowed and no one would allow the band to stop playing, even after closing. But the time had passed. A great positive run with great friends, family, and fans had come to an end. May we always remember through their music.
Credits
The Band MemberHave you performed in front of an audience?The Fury played live at the most popular venues in the Utica/Rome area and had outstretched at one point throughout NY. Currently, the band gets together to jam for a local benefit. Nothing else has happened since the split of 2001.
Your musical influences
Major influences were 80s bands (big hair days!), Fuel, Candlebox, Metallica.What equipment do you use?
Too much to list.Anything else?
Thanks to all our fans for their undying support over the years and rocking hard with us!
5,739 plays
13,935 views
13,935 views
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