Retro 70's Rockers with an unexpected pedigree. Frontman Bill Steer was one of the prime movers behind NAPALM DEATH and gore mongers CARCASS before forming BLACKSMITH. Shortly after Steer united with the TRESPASS and CATHEDRAL credited bassist Leo Smee and Swedish SPIRITUAL BEGGARS drummers Ludwig Witt. The resulting band was far removed in from the Drindcore / Death Metal pioneering work Bill Steer had been recognised for, FIREBIRD treading a distinctly laid back Blues Rock approach on their 2000 eponymous debut released through Rise Above Records.

Promoting the second offering 'Deluxe', released by Music For Nations, a 2001 European tour would witness Steer pulling in BLIND DOG bassist Tobias Nilsson and THE QUILL drummer George Atlagic as both Smee and Witt were forced out of the picture due to prior commitments with their priority acts.Japanese versions of 'Deluxe' added the RUSH cover version 'Working Man'.

Steer announced a revised line-up of FIREBIRD in June of 2002 as comprising new members Roger Nilsson of THE QUILL and SPIRITUAL BEGGARS on bass guitar and the aforementioned stand in drummer George Atlagic, also of THE QUILL. Next in line to take command of the drums would be noted Jazz-Fusion veteran Alan French. Al Steer took over FIREBIRD bass duties during 2003.

February 2003 found former member Leo Smee in a short-lived union with the erstwhile ELECTRIC WIZARD rhythm section of bassist Tim Bagshaw and drummer Mark Greening.

FIREBIRD lent support to FU MANCHU's June 2003 European tour. In October 2004 Bill Steer donated his services to a Country / Blues covers album assembled by former CARCASS colleague Jeff Walker. With Ludwig Witt having been re-instated, FIREBIRD returned with the 'Hot Wings' opus, released in Japan by Victor Entertainment in May 2006 and Rise Above Records in the UK that July. UK touring saw the addition of END OF LEVEL BOSS bassist Harry Armstrong.

In 2007 Steer guested on the track 'Rust' included on BLOOD ISLAND RAIDERS eponymous album.

Although Bill Steer formed up part of the 2008 CARCASS reunion, FIREBIRD was still active and the band entered Berno studios in Malmö, Sweden on 19th May to begin recording its new album, 'Grand Union', for release via Rise Above Records. For these sessions Steer and Witt would be joined by bassist Smok Smoczkiewicz. This set included cover versions of JAMES TAYLOR's 'One Man Dog' and DUSTER BENNETT's 'Worried Mind'. 'Grand Union' saw a US release through Metal Blade Records on 23rd June.

Bassist Smok Smoczkiewicz opted out in October 2009.

Garry Sharpe-Young