Strings of Grit: Cameron of Surefire on Finding Balance Between Precision, Passion, and Perseverance

For Cameron, heavy metal isn’t just a sound. It’s a soul-bound connection, a lifelong pursuit of tone, and a testament to the power of persistence.

For Cameron of Surefire, music was never really a choice. It was an inheritance. Growing up in a home filled with rock and metal, the path to the stage felt inevitable. “From going to concerts at a young age to my dad playing rock and metal while working around the house,” Cameron recalls, “it was just a natural progression that I follow in those footsteps.” What began as air guitar sessions in his living room eventually turned into real riffs, starting with Metallica and evolving toward heavier and more intricate territory.

The spark was lit early thanks to his dad’s guitar sitting within reach. “I would ‘play’ it while having music on the stereo,” he laughs. From there, the influences stacked up: Kirk Hammett, Synyster Gates, and Matt Heafy, players who blended aggression with melody and inspired a similar balance in Cameron’s own playing.

At eleven, he unwrapped a Fender acoustic on Christmas morning, a gift that never gathered dust. “I actually just used it on one of my band’s songs on our upcoming EP,” he says, a full-circle moment connecting his past to the present. When he talks tone, three words come to mind: “Saturated, gritty, and articulate.”

Over the years, his playing has shifted from the spotlight of solos to the architecture of riffs. “I used to try and play all lead guitar because who doesn’t want to do that?” he admits. “As I progressed, I found myself leaning more toward technical riffing and riffs in general.” It’s a sign of maturity, the understanding that the song itself is more important than the solo.

Cameron’s current setup reflects that mindset. A low action, light string tension, and the precision of an Evertune bridge keep his tone tight and consistent. “It just feels right and makes sense to me,” he says. Although he appreciates the gear, he believes tone ultimately lives in the hands. “It heavily depends on your hands and playing style more,” he insists, a reminder that even the best equipment only amplifies the player behind it.

His writing process is refreshingly simple. “Throw on a metronome and start riffing around. That’s all there is to it,” he says. Yet Surefire’s sound still manages to stand apart, thanks to “alien-sounding” chorus effects that add dimension and atmosphere to their leads. “We just wanted something that felt different,” he explains. For Cameron, creativity is about emotion and texture, not reinventing the wheel. “If it ain’t broke,” he shrugs, “I don’t think I’d have anything that hasn’t already been done.”

On stage, Cameron is a force, even if he doesn’t always notice the chaos unfolding around him. “I honestly don’t see the crowd when I play,” he admits. “Maybe for quick moments, but I essentially black out and go into my own world.” Still, the memory of walking out to a packed room at Milwaukee’s Rave Eagles Club is something he’ll never forget. “Walking out on stage to basically a full room hits different when you work so hard to do what you do.”

Behind the scenes, he wears many hats. He’s not just the guitarist but also the band’s own tech, tuning, troubleshooting, and stretching between sets whenever he can. The hardest part? “The lack of sleep,” he laughs. Touring is both a grind and an adventure, filled with moments of pure chaos. He recalls one show in Nashville that went completely off the rails. “There was a guy there doing whip-its with a nitrous tank in his backpack and asking us if we wanted meth,” Cameron says, shaking his head. “Then he kicked us out of the venue because the bands weren’t important at this time.” The band never played that night. “You can’t make that stuff up.”

Through all the unpredictability, Cameron’s connection to heavy metal remains deeply spiritual. When asked what the genre means to him beyond the music, his answer is immediate: “Soul bound connection.” That same energy drives his creative process. “It’s whatever feels right. You just know when it happens and you capture the lightning in a bottle.” His guitar isn’t just an instrument; it’s “the paintbrush for endless creativity.”

When inspiration fades, Cameron doesn’t force it. “Exploring different genres or honestly taking a break to clear your mind” is his way of resetting. Even if he weren’t playing guitar, he says he’d still find a home in the music world, maybe running live sound or doing photography. For him, music isn’t just a career. It’s an environment, a way of living.

As for the message behind his music, it’s humble and honest. “Hang in there. If I can do it, so can you.” That spirit of perseverance defines both his art and his character. He wants listeners to feel empowered, to find strength through sound. His advice for young guitarists is simple but meaningful. “Don’t beat yourself up too bad. Everyone makes mistakes and you have to learn from them to grow.”

Cameron doesn’t claim to know where heavy metal is headed, and that uncertainty excites him. “I don’t know if I particularly fit into it, but that’s what it’s all about, finding new avenues to explore to keep the sound evolving and fresh.” His mission remains the same as it’s always been: “Work hard and push boundaries to keep the dream moving.”

In a genre often defined by speed and volume, Cameron’s strength comes from something quieter and more enduring. It’s authenticity. No pretense, no polish, just a musician still chasing the sound that first lit a fire in his chest.

Gear Rundown

Guitars: Fender acoustic (first and still active), Ormsby models in live rotation

Bridge: Evertune

Setup: Low action, light string tension

Effects: Alien-style chorus effects on leads

Amps/Pedals: [To be filled by artist if desired]