I Set My Friends on Fire

• Matt Mehana
• Chris Thompson
• Connor Mitchener
• Jimmy Bennett

• Nabil Moo
• Chris Lent
• Nate Blasdell
• Josh Miller
• Jonathan Rosell
• Hector Bagnod

I Set My Friends on Fire (often abbreviated as ISMFOF) is a post-hardcore band from Miami, Florida. The band was formed in 2007 by Matt Mehana and Nabil Moo. The group signed with Epitaph Records before releasing their debut album, You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter, in 2008. Drummer Chris Lent joined the band in 2009. The group's second album, Astral Rejection, was scheduled to be released on June 22, 2010, but it was shelved for a year by Epitaph. Moo left the band in 2010, then Lent left the band. The group's third album, Caterpillar Sex, was announced in 2013 but has never seen a release.

Matt Mehana and Nabil Moo performed previously in a local band named We Are the Cavalry. After the band disbanded, Mehana and Moo began creating songs under the name I Set My Friends on Fire. Some assumed that the new name was derived from the Aiden song of the same title. However, the group explained they were unaware of this at the time. Mehana has expressed his dismay over fans assuming that they used an Aiden song for their name, stating that Aiden "sucks".^[6] They garnered a large audience due in part to MySpace, where their first single, a rendition of Soulja Boy Tell 'Em's "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" (originally entitled "Crank That Cavalry Boy") received more than one million plays.^[7][8] The duo's MySpace page was removed three times because the MySpace staff believed that the duo were using software to increase the song's play count.^[7]

The duo then signed to Epitaph Records,^[9] which released their debut album You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter on October 7, 2008.^[7] The album garnered a negative to mixed reception from various critics. You Can't Spell Slaughter Without Laughter reached number 29 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.^[10]

On November 21, 2008, the comedy duo Smosh had teamed up with I Set My Friends on Fire and released their first music video and second single, called "Sex Ed Rocks" which had over 20 million views.^[11] Later in September 2009, they teamed up yet again and released their second music video and fourth single, entitled "Four Years Foreplay" which attracted over 7 million views.^[12]

On July 20, 2010, Matt explained in a YouTube interview that Nabil had left the band to focus on school and to be with his family.^[13]

The first single from the album, "Excite Dyke", was released exclusively via digital download on June 15, 2010, as part of a new Epitaph compilation CD entitled "New Noise Vol. 1".^[14][15]

The full album Astral Rejection was released and streamed on ISMFOF's website on June 16, 2011.^[16] Astral Rejection was released in stores on June 21, 2011.^[17] On July 18, the music video for "It Comes Naturally" was released on YouTube directed by Nicholas Lent and co-founder and ex-member Nabil Moo.^[18]

In an interview with DEAD PRESS! while touring the UK in 2018,^[19]

On March 7, 2019, the band confirmed that the shelved and original version of Astral Rejection would get an official release through Epitaph Records on March 29, 2019.^[20]

"Infinite Suck"

"Infinite Suck", the second track on I Set My Friends on Fire's second album, Astral Rejection, demonstrates the band's experimental style and use of electronica characteristics.

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I Set My Friends on Fire is recognized for their experimental musical style. The group blends elements from a variety of genres including electronica, crunkcore, post-hardcore, metalcore, electronicore, alternative metal, screamo, dance-pop, mathcore, and glitch. AllMusic describes the group's style as "a tornado of musical influences and genres".^[21]

Current members

• Matt Mehana – lead vocals (2007–present), keyboards, programming (2010–present)
• Chris Thompson – drums (2016–present)
• Connor Mitchener – bass (2016–present)
• Jimmy Bennett –  lead guitar, backing vocals (2022–present), rhythm guitar (2018, 2022–present)

Former members

• Nabil Moo – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, bass, sequencer, programming (2007–2010), drums (2007–2009)
• Chris Lent – drums (2009–2011), guitar, keyboards, sequencer (2010–2011)^[22]
• Nate Blasdell  – lead guitar, backing vocals (2015–2022)
• Josh Miller – drums (2015–2016)
• Jonathan Rosell – rhythm guitar (2015–2017), bass (2015–2016)
• Hector Bagnod  – rhythm guitar (2017–2022)

Touring members

• Cobrette Bardole – lead guitar (2023–present)
• Paul Felix – bass (2022)
• Evan Fortgang – lead guitar (2022–2023)
• Kane Buckley –  guitar (2016–2017), bass (2016)
• Steven Colaianni – guitar (2017)
• Cody Wagner – drums (2016)
• Blake Steiner – guitar (2010–2011)
• Evan Perry – DJ (2011)
• Ashton Howarth – guitar (2011)
• Andrew Tapley – guitar, bass (2011)
• Matt Mingus – drums (2012)
• Joe Nelson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2011–2012)
• Airick Delgado – guitar (2012)
• August Bartell – drums (2012)

* these are possible songs to be released on this album, but are not verified

• Official Myspace
• Epitaph Records
• Epitaph Records (June 21, 2011). "I Set My Friends On Fire". Epitaph Records. Retrieved January 31, 2016.