Lead singer Zeal Levin, bassist Thomas Semow, and drummer Evan Monroe first met at Hillcrest Elementary School in Oakland, CA. The trio became fast friends, and formed their first band together in Middle School. By 8th grade, the band was playing live gigs around the Bay Area and expanded their following throughout High School. After graduating from High School, the group relocated to Isla Vista, CA where they met saxophonist Joe Farey and guitarist Kevin Harvey through the University of California, Santa Barbara jazz program. After playing several shows with each other, The Fire Department was formed in the fall of 2009. Since then, the band has become known for their wild live shows in the Isla Vista community. According to the Santa Barbara Independent,“The Fire Department provides a style of music that requires the talent of true artists, and that is what they are. Catch them while you can because I predict that one day you’re going to be paying a lot for concert tickets." In the spring of 2012, after winning UC Santa Barbara’s Battle of the Bands, The Fire Department shared the stage with Snoop Dogg, Wolfgang Gartner, and Iration for UCSB’s Extravaganza Music Festival at Harder Stadium. Their performance at the event received excellent reviews from local newspapers, fellow performers, and the student community. Currently, The Fire Department plays shows in Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles.