All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion

Fireworks formed in Metro Detroit, Michigan in 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fireworks-mn0002603593/biography|title=Fireworks {{!}} Biography|work=AllMusic|author=Deming, Mark|accessdate=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508105143/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fireworks-mn0002603593/biography|archivedate=May 8, 2015}} The band consisted of vocalist David Mackinder, guitarists Brett Jones and Chris Mojan, bassist Kyle O'Neil, and drummer Tymm Rengers. The group released a demo, Can't Hardly Wait, before releasing the We Are Everywhere (2006) EP the following year. The group supported the EP by touring with bands such as Set Your Goals, Valencia, and Strung Out. In 2008 the band released another EP, Adventure, Nostalgia, and Robbery through Run for Cover.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=314475|title=Now Pre-order The Fireworks 7|work=AbsolutePunk.net|accessdate=August 9, 2015}} The EP featured one new song, a cover and two re-recordings of previously released songs. On July 31, it was announced that the band had signed to Triple Crown.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=445581|title=Fireworks Signs To Triple Crown Records|work=AbsolutePunk.net|accessdate=August 9, 2015}} A friend of the band gave Fred from Triple Crown their EP, from there the band "just kept bothering Fred until he signed us."{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=647332|title=Fireworks - 10.29.08|work=AbsolutePunk.net|accessdate=August 10, 2015}} In the announcement, the band realized they had not released much new material and reassured that they were working towards an album. The group was "extremely excited" to have signed with Triple Crown. In August, the band toured with Hit the Lights.

Compared to their past work, Mojan thought the band "made a nice but smooth progression." Some of the material "is more angry, some stuff is more rocking." O'Neil claimed the material sounded "more mature and developed" than their previous work. In terms of lyrics, he thought they "have definitely grown as people".All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion was recorded over the course of two and a half weeks{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/31905/interviews-kyle-oneil-fireworks|title=Interviews: Kyle O'Neil (Fireworks)|date=12 January 2009 |publisher=Punknews.org|accessdate=August 10, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809235340/http://www.punknews.org/article/31905/interviews-kyle-oneil-fireworks|archivedate=August 9, 2015}} in October 2008 at Buzz Bomb Sound Lab. 14 songs had been recorded in total, 12 of them appeared on the finished version of the album. It was produced by Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory and mixed by Paul Miner. The group knew of gilbert through mutual friends, but the idea of working with him came from Fred of Triple Crown.

In November 2008, the band went on tour with This Time Next Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_4876|title=This Time Next Year announces dates with 2*Sweet, Anarbor, Fireworks|work=Alternative Press|date=October 10, 2008|accessdate=July 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731233157/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_4876|archivedate=July 31, 2017}} Following this, the band went on a brief tour with Polar Bear Club, Forfeit and the Swellers in December.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_4982|title=Polar Bear Club / Fireworks / Forfeit doing short tour together|work=Alternative Press|date=October 27, 2008|accessdate=July 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731150425/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_4982|archivedate=July 31, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/31411/videos-the-swellers-post-tour-videos-and-add-december-dates|title=The Swellers post tour videos and add December dates|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Conoley, Ben|date=November 26, 2008|access-date=June 20, 2022}} On January 29, 2009, All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion was announced for release in two months' time.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/32137/fireworks-plan-all-i-have-to-offer-is-my-own-confusion|title=Fireworks plan 'All I Have To Offer Is My Own Confusion'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=January 29, 2009|access-date=October 3, 2022}} On February 13, 2009, "Detroit" was made available for streaming via the band's Myspace profile.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/32325/media-fireworks-detroit|title=Fireworks: 'Detroit'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=February 13, 2009|access-date=October 3, 2022}} In March, the band went on a tour of the US with This Time Next Year. A Loss for Words, Title Fight and Transit appeared on select dates.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_5841|title=Fireworks / This Time Next Year heading out on tour|work=Alternative Press|date=February 2, 2009|accessdate=July 31, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801004918/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_5841|archivedate=August 1, 2017}} On March 17, "Come Around" was made available for streaming.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=944802|title=ABSOLUTExclusive: Fireworks|work=AbsolutePunk.net|accessdate=August 9, 2015}} After a planned winter release, and then a spring release,{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=553631|title=Fireworks Album News|work=AbsolutePunk.net|accessdate=August 9, 2015}} All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion was eventually released on 24 March{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=833142|title=Fireworks Track Listing And Album Art|work=AbsolutePunk.net|accessdate=August 9, 2015}} through Triple Crown. A European edition was released by Hassle.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/all-i-have-to-offer-is-my-own-confusion-mr0003238153|title=All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion - Fireworks - Release Information, Reviews and Credits|work=AllMusic|author=Henderson, Alex |accessdate=August 10, 2015}} The album's title is taken from a quote by American author Jack Kerouac. Throughout April, the band went on a co-headlining tour with We Are the Union. Though the tour was intended to run into May,{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/33097/tours-fireworks-we-are-the-union|title=Fireworks / We Are the Union|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=April 14, 2009|access-date=October 6, 2022}} Fireworks replaced Shai Hulud on their tour with New Found Glory from mid-April.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_6564|title=Fireworks to replace Shai Hulud on NFG tour|work=Alternative Press|date=April 18, 2009|accessdate=August 8, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808234904/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_6564|archivedate=August 8, 2017}} Alongside Crime in Stereo and Title Fight, the band toured the US in June.{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/33209/tours-crime-in-stereo-fireworks-title-fight|title=Tours: Crime In Stereo / Fireworks / Title Fight|date=22 April 2009 |publisher=Punknews.org|accessdate=August 10, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120307/http://www.punknews.org/article/33209/tours-crime-in-stereo-fireworks-title-fight|archivedate=September 24, 2015}} In July, the band filmed a music video for "Detroit".{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/tags/fireworks/3/|title=Fireworks News|work=AbsolutePunk.net|accessdate=August 9, 2015}}

From mid-July until late August, the band supported Set Your Goals.{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/33625/tours-set-your-goals-four-year-strong-fireworks-with-polar-bear-club-the-swellers|title=Tours: Set Your Goals / Four Year Strong / Fireworks with Polar Bear Club, the Swellers|date=20 May 2009 |publisher=Punknews.org|accessdate=August 10, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120320/http://www.punknews.org/article/33625/tours-set-your-goals-four-year-strong-fireworks-with-polar-bear-club-the-swellers|archivedate=September 24, 2015}} In late August and early September, the band supported Four Year Strong.{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/33736/tours-four-year-strong-crime-in-stereo-fireworks-a-loss-for-words|title=Tours: Four Year Strong / Crime in Stereo / Fireworks / A Loss for Words|date=28 May 2009 |publisher=Punknews.org|accessdate=August 10, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120324/http://www.punknews.org/article/33736/tours-four-year-strong-crime-in-stereo-fireworks-a-loss-for-words|archivedate=September 24, 2015}} The band supported Hit the Lights on their Manatour tour between early October and early November.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/hitthelightsheadliner.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830163704/http://www.altpress.com/news/hitthelightsheadliner.htm|title=Hit the Lights Plan Fall Tour With There For Tomorrow|work=Alternative Press|author=Heisel, Scott|date=August 26, 2009|archivedate=August 30, 2009|accessdate=July 21, 2016}} The band went on a co-headlining tour with The Wonder Years in mid-November.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1399922|title=Fireworks / The Wonder Years Tour Dates|work=AbsolutePunk.net|accessdate=August 9, 2015}} From late-November to mid-December, the band toured Europe, alongside Set Your Goals and Broadway Calls.{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/36099/tours-set-your-goals-broadway-calls-fireworks|title=Tours: Set Your Goals / Broadway Calls / Fireworks|date=23 November 2009 |publisher=Punknews.org|accessdate=August 10, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122823/http://www.punknews.org/article/36099/tours-set-your-goals-broadway-calls-fireworks|archivedate=September 24, 2015}} On January 11, 2010, the music video for "Detroit" was posted online.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/36618/videos-fireworks-detroit|title=Fireworks: 'Detroit'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Yancey, Bryne|date=January 11, 2010|access-date=October 16, 2022}} The band were initially planned to support Anti-Flag{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/35658/tours-anti-flag-aiden-cancer-bats-fireworks|title=Tours: Anti-Flag / Aiden / Cancer Bats / Fireworks|date=20 October 2009 |publisher=Punknews.org|accessdate=August 10, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122804/http://www.punknews.org/article/35658/tours-anti-flag-aiden-cancer-bats-fireworks|archivedate=September 24, 2015}} but were replaced by Star Fucking Hipsters, The Menzingers, Trash Talk and Broadway Calls.{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/36232/tours-menzingers-star-fcking-hipsters-broadway-calls-trash-talk-added-to-anti-flag-tour|title=Tours: Menzingers, Star F*cking Hipsters, Broadway Calls, Trash Talk added to Anti-Flag tour|date=4 December 2009 |publisher=Punknews.org|accessdate=August 10, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122838/http://www.punknews.org/article/36232/tours-menzingers-star-fcking-hipsters-broadway-calls-trash-talk-added-to-anti-flag-tour|archivedate=September 24, 2015}} From late January to mid-March, the band supported New Found Glory on their US tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/36231/tours-new-found-glory-saves-the-day-hellogoodbye-fireworks|title=New Found Glory / Saves The Day / Hellogoodbye / Fireworks|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=December 4, 2009|access-date=October 13, 2022}} In early June, the band supported Four Year Strong on their Enemy of Europe Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1651462|title=Four Year Strong and Friends in Europe|work=AbsolutePunk.net|accessdate=August 9, 2015}} In July, the band went on a tour of the US with Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals, the Swellers and Grave Maker.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_6899|title=Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong and more to tour|work=Alternative Press|date=May 18, 2009|accessdate=August 9, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809212422/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_6899|archivedate=August 9, 2017}} From mid-August until early October, the band supported the Swellers on their tour of the US.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/the_swellers_confirm_tour_with_fireworks_and_reveal_tour_dates|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114233800/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/the_swellers_confirm_tour_with_fireworks_and_reveal_tour_dates|title=The Swellers confirm tour with Fireworks and reveal dates|work=Alternative Press|author=Shotwell, James|date=June 29, 2010|archivedate=November 14, 2016|accessdate=November 14, 2016}}

1. "Geography, Vonnegut and Me" – 3:43
2. "Come Around" – 2:53
3. "Closet Weather" – 2:35
4. "2923 Monroe St." – 3:12
5. "Holiday" – 2:32
6. "I Support Same Sex Marriage" – 3:25
7. "Show Me Your Vanishing Act One More Time" – 0:57
8. "You've Lost Your Charm" – 2:37
9. "Again and Again" – 3:14
10. "Detroit" – 3:56
11. "When We Stand on Each Other We Block Out the Sun" – 3:35

;Fireworks

• David Mackinder – lead vocals, keyboard, piano, guitars
• Chris Mojan – guitars
• Brett Jones – guitars
• Kyle O'Neil – bass
• Tymm Rengers – drums, percussion

;Additional musicians

• Chad Gilbert – additional guitar, backing vocals
• Paul Miner – backing vocals

;Production

• Chad Gilbert – producer
• Paul Miner – mixing

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC15D022633C7F592 All I Have to Offer Is My Own Confusion] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)

{{Fireworks (punk band)}}

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Category:2009 albums

Category:Fireworks (punk band) albums

Category:Triple Crown Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Chad Gilbert