Bio
Formed in 2013 in the Vale, Guernsey, Coastal Fire Dept. are a high-energy throwback to the golden era of 90s altrock and grunge, infused with a fresh modern edge. Driven by big, melodic guitars, massive hooks and choruses that refuse to leave your head, CFD deliver raw rock with heart and attitude.
The band consists of: Ollie Goddard (guitar/vocals), Saad Frihmat (bass), Ozzy Austin (drums) & Jon Langlois (guitar). After releasing their debut mini-album Control in 2019, the band quickly gained momentum. In 2020, Ken Andrews (Failure , Stone Temple Pilots, Chris Cornell) mixed their single You Are Stuck which they followed with the punchy two minute grunge song I Don't Wanna Hold Your Hand. 2021 makes a shift towards a heavier, more harder guitar driven sound including three singles with Kellii Scott (Failure, Queens of the Stone Age, Veruca Salt) on drums.
Their full length album Outsiders landed in 2023 followed by a run of singles and the EP Flood The Saltpans...Save The Vale in 2024. The original plan was to release these as one album called Songs from the Vale released in 2025.
In 2026, CFD will release new album called ‘Bonfire Of Fevoured Egos’ in 2026 leaning even harder into punk infused grunge. Frequently compared to Nirvana & Pixies , the band also draws influence by from bands such as Violent Soho, Local H, Superheaven, Balance And Composure & Title Fight. Check out the An intro to Coastal Fire Dept. playlist to get a flavour!
Band Members
Ollie - Vocals and Rhythm Guitar
I have always loved music and when I was much younger always seemed to be in that little minority of kids listening to alternative music. I remember I was about nine hassling my mum to buy me The Clash’s album ‘London Calling’ (she didn’t approve!).
Being a keen music lover I graduated towards learning guitar and quite quickly was only interested in writing original music influenced by the genres that interested me mainly grunge, alt rock, indie & shoegaze. I drifted away from music for some time and came back to it in 2013 when I formed CFD with Bob.
My songwriting is heavily influenced by observations, feelings, emotions and stories already told (film, tv, real stories etc). Although our songs can be interpreted as being angry or aggressive they are not…they can be loud in places and deliberately written to punch hard at times!
My main musical influences are Nirvana, Pixies, Violent Soho, Suoerheaven, Balance and Compsure.
Saad - Bass
I started playing the bass when I was 14 years old. In 2011 upon returning from traveling around Asia/USA, a friend wanted to start an Alternative Rock/Metal band and needed someone to play Bass, so we formed Stone Em All.
Unfortunately, Stone Em All broke up after a few years when my friend relocated to the USA, although we did manage to play lots of gigs and festivals, recorded a mini EP and had fun playing.
I then joined a new band after Stone Em All, as my work colleague Ollie needed a bass player for his band Coastal Fire Dept. and the current project commenced.
The music i was exposed to in my household when young was very diverse ranging from Bob Marley, Queen, The Doors and Deep Purple.
