A band that had its genesis in Anderson is returning to perform at McGee’s Irish Pub this Saturday. Drummer Stephen Russ and vocalist/keyboardist Collin Derrick started The Fire Tonight while at Anderson University.

During the summer of 2007, the duo decided to take their act on the road and added Jamie Heiting on lead guitar and Nate Martin on bass. They have toured the southeast for almost a year now, but this summer will see an end to touring so the band can concentrate on finishing an album.

“It’s hard to make touring work because we all live in different places; we’re coming from Columbia, Winston Salem, Nashville and Clemson,” Russ said, “We make the tours work somehow despite gas prices.”

Russ describes the band as a fusion of three of his favorites: Radiohead, Ben Folds Five, and the British hard rock band Muse. One listen to any of the band’s songs will show a definite influence from Muse; the Fire Tonight employs the same complex song structures and tones that range from quiet whispers to extremely heavy guitar riffs.

Russ said the band sets itself apart by incorporating blues elements and Derrick’s skills on the keyboard. One of the band’s main goals is to make every song drastically different from the last, according to Russ.

Because the Fire Tonight’s members are spread all over three states, the band rarely gets a chance to practice. They usually only find time to work on new material after show dates — their emotional lyrics and polished sound come from extremely late nights after shows.

“When we write a song we sit down and argue for two hours,” Russ said, “Then we have a song. All of our influences find a way in there. Our songs can take odd turns, but it always makes things unique.”

The Fire Tonight is looking forward to debuting several songs at Saturday’s show that Anderson has not heard yet. One is “Ashes,” a song featuring intense guitar riffs and piano sections, and the Foo Fighters-esque “Don’t Look Back.”

Some Fire Tonight standards will also be featured, such as the epic, Muse-influenced “Black Confetti” and the haunting “Daniel McClean,” a song Derrick performs solo on piano.

“The song has a Ben Folds Five or country format and it deals with adultery,” Russ said, “‘Daniel McClean’ is a real story and it’s really special to the entire band because it inspired the rest of our album.”

Russ said the band is extremely technical in the studio, but they don’t worry so much about precision when performing live. The band has a very simple stage setup and enjoys jumping off of objects on stage as often as possible.

“We are energetic and intense, but we aren’t as crazy as metal groups,” Russ said, “We don’t spit on people.”

If you go

Who: The Fire Tonight

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: McGee’s Irish Pub, 116 W. Orr Street, Anderson

Information: 864.261.6401

Admission: Free