Burning Heads

Formed in Orléans in 1987, Burning Heads has since traversed the French punk scene with a trajectory marked by the speed of melodic hardcore, the energy of skate punk, and regular forays into reggae and dub. Initially rooted in a punk rock influenced by the American West Coast, the band refined this blend over the years with a sharper, more nerve-wracking live feel, direct choruses, and songwriting that also allows room for more syncopated rhythms. Burning Heads released their first self-titled album in 1992, followed by Dive in 1994, Super Modern World in 1996, Be One With the Flames in 1998, and Escape in 1999, a period during which the band toured widely in France and Europe, notably alongside Noir Désir on the Tostaky tour. The 2000s saw Burning Heads further expanding its spectrum with Opposite in 2001, Taranto in 2003, the joint project Never Trust a Punk... with Alif Sound System in 2004, then Bad Time for Human Kind in 2006, Opposite 2 in 2007, Spread the Fire in 2009, and Hear This in 2011. After Pierre Mestrinaro's departure in 2018, the return of guitarist Philippe Agogué and the arrival of Fra as vocalist opened a new chapter, documented by Under Their Influence in 2020, Torches of Freedom in 2022, and Ambers of Protest in 2024. Still active, Burning Heads today operates as a live act seasoned in both punk formats and reggae-dub detours.