Call It Arson bio

James Downes Ryan White Jeff Brown Brian McOmber

Call It Arson was conceived in 1994 in a Connecticut basement when friends Ryan White and James Downes were eleven years old. Having been nurtured into musical maturity in the thriving CT hardcore scene during the 1990’s, they officially formed Call It Arson as a quartet in 2002, which now includes stalwarts Jeff Brown on bass, and Brian McOmber on drums. CIA has played shows with groups such as Beep Beep (Saddle Creek Records), Hey Mercedes (Vagrant Records) and Lock and Key (Deep Elm Records). The name, Call It Arson, decrees the destruction of the United States' current socio-political system in hopes of rebuilding one that is more just.

The music of Call It Arson shares similarities to classic and modern rock acts such as The Police, and Karate; but members acknowledge a wide range of musical influences. "Ryan and I started out covering The Beatles," Downes admits, "but we have been heavily influenced by groups ranging from Death Cab for Cutie to Coalesce, Jackson Browne to Earth Crisis, Sunny Day Real Estate to Michael Rose." Beginning in May of 2005, the band plans on touring the U.S. for the second time.