Through the Fire

Artist: Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve (HSAS)

The rock super-group Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve, known by the acronym HSAS, released their first and only album in 1984. Entitled Through the Fire, this record was one of singer Sammy Hagar’s side projects away from Montrose and his own solo career. The album’s only single is a cover of Procol Harum’s “Whiter Shade of Pale.” Released in May 1984, it reached a high of #94 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

After the release of his solo album Three Lock Box in 1982, Sammy Hagar took a three-month vacation to Africa. Upon returning from his safari, Hagar and Journey guitarist Neal Schon began working on a side project together while they took a break from their respective careers. Originally, the two worked with former Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson, and drummer Denny Carmassi (who used to work with Sammy). However, Petersson had other commitments, and could not continue with the project. Schon would also have to leave, though temporarily, to go on tour with Journey in support of their Frontiers album from February to September 1983. During this time Carmassi also left, and the two vacant positions were filled by Kenny Aaronson on bass and Michael Shrieve on drums; both of whom had played together in Santana in the early 70s.

With the line-up finally set, and Schon returning from the road, the four began to write and rehearse material for their upcoming album. After less than a month, the group planned several live dates in the Southern-California region. Two of these dates were broadcast by MTV, and the band used a mobile recording truck to capture all of the performances on tape.

In the studio, Hagar and Schon decided which takes to use on the final album, and removed much of the crowd noise. By doing this, the album appears to be a studio recording, and is a more commercially viable first release from the band. Surprisingly, the majority of the album was left untouched, with very few in-studio overdubs and touchups. This serves as a testament to the four members’ talent and skill as musicians, especially considering the little practice time they had together before the concerts. After the release of Through the fire, the band added rhythm guitarist Nick Sciorsci, and briefly toured California in 1984.

Of course, with Schon rejoining Journey and Hagar’s hookup with the Van Halen boys, a follow-up release from the band would not happen. However, Through the Fire would not be the last time that these two would work together. Hagar and Schon would reunite almost 20 years later to form the short-lived Planet Us project.

Rating: 4/5