" The Burning" had a very brief stint in the late eighties early nineties. Very active during that time, recordings were taken of the songs. Gigs were played from Reading Pa. to kimberton, to Center City, Philadelphia at all the hip gothic clubs during that era. The Burning may have been one of the last post punk groups to emerge when that genre of music and when alternative music was at it's end. The band formed by band leader Mike Smash, adopted Michael D'Orazio as Singer, and Co writer and lyricist, then adopting Ross Earhart as Bass player, and Jeff(the Cuban)Valcarcel as drummer, and later Nick Diblasio as keyboardist...The Burning were one of the most pessimistic, dark bands to come out of the local scene commenting on disease, immorality, sin, death, and faulty relationships. Very experimental but hip to the times, they didn't try to write pop hits but wrote catchy, very challenging anthems. The Burning is: Michael D'Orazio(vocals), Mike Smash(Guitars), Ross Earhart(Bass), Jeff Valcarcel(drums), Nick Diblasio (keyboards). All lyrics written by Michael D'Orazio, except tracks 6, 11, and 12, which were written by Mike Smash. All music written by Mike Smash except track 7, and 8, by M.D. Produced by Ian Cross on tracks 1-6, 9-12 Brian Bricklin engineered 4-6. Steve Cluthe produced tracks 7-8.. Guest appearance on guitar by Rich Bickel on 7.