Rock-afire Explosion playing in Ireland
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- What an astounding surprise I had today when walking through a carnival by the sea here in Bray, Ireland. Set up in a trailer amidst a wagon circle of bouncy castles was the Rock-afire Explosion. I hadn't seen them since the late '80s in West Des Moines, Iowa, and had thought the closest I would ever get was the fine documentary made about them a couple years ago. Needless to say, this was a surprise of the highest order -- like something out of a Ray Bradbury story. Luckily I was armed with my camera and so I want to share the love with all of you. They live! I have seen it with mine own eyes! (listen for the drunk Irishman requesting "Greased Lightning" when they're playing -- priceless!)
I was astounded by how much smoother they move than chuck e cheese
And this is a run down show. You should see Aaron Fechter’s show.
That’s because Aaron Fletcher meticulously developed, what was state of the art animatronics for the time. All Chuck E. Cheese’s did was put some basic moving mechanical pieces into stuffed animals. True animatronics is very intricate, down to blinking, face movement, head tilting etc.
I wasn’t because I’ve seen them before
Chuck E Cheese animatronics just do *arm up arm down bend blink ear twist* while the RAE actually move lively and real!
@@TraceurDoc1
You realize that CEC animatronics use the same endoskeletons as the ones from RAE, right? But I get what you mean, it's just that the programming is worse for MMBB.
these are in much better condition than i thought they would be
Beach bears arm doesn't move
Beach bear's arms are moving..?
The vintage rock afire Collecter
notryanross way better than bear a dise
fqllenbrqnch see that?
I've only seen then in the states where they are usually in horrible condition. it's amazing these still move so well. way to go Ireland!
Father AxeKeeper you should thank Funderland that is their show that traveled there
Father AxeKeeper movimiento que
Yesenia Villasenor
???
Father AxeKeeper
Father AxeKeeper .
These are still 10x better than the Billy Bob's Wonderland figures
agreed
500x
Billy bobs wonderland R.E. looks drunk
No competition there! Lol especially today
xxxNolanGreenDayxx x yep
The dog's face tho...
"Where did we go wrong, guys? Replaced by a rat with a cap..."
😵😱💩🙂😪😣🤐🍦🍘🌽🌶🍎🍊🍋🍋🍇🍇🍍🍠🍖🍙🍪🍹☕️🍵🍽🍴🍻🍷🍸🍹🍪🍪🍩🍿🍫🍭🍦🍦🍡🍡🍨🍙🍥⛸🎤🎮👾🎪🏵🕴🏆🎽🛩🚊🚊🚈🚡🚨🚝🚁🚄🎇🎇🌌🌌🌌🌅🌁🚢🎡🎡🗼🗼🏔⛺️⛺️🌄🌄🌆🌆🌠🌠🏰🏰🎢🎢🏭🗻🏜🏙🏙🎇🎇🏯🎠🎠⛲️🌋🛣🛣🏖🌃🎆🏟🏟🏗🏗🎑🗾🗾🗾🛤🛤🏝🌉🌈🌈🌈🏬🗽🏯🏰🏘🏣🏠🏠🏪⛪️⛪️🖨💾💾🖨📼💽🖱📱📲💻⌨🖥📼📽📺🔫🌡🗡💈🔮💈💈💊🛁💊⚔🛁🔑⚔🔮💊🔪📫📆📆📅📤📈💜💙💚❤️❤️💔💖💘💞💞💓💟☯⛎⛎㊗️🅰⭕️🚳💠🈁🚼➡️↙️🇧🇭🇧🇧🇦🇮🇧🇪🇧🇸🇧🇭🕑🕑🕚💬😒🙂🙂❤️💔💚💊💊📆💖㊗️❤️⭕️💔💞🚳🚳💠💠⭕️⭕️⭕️😎😎😒😑😑😁😑😑😌😥😥☺️☺️🤐😉💤😋👺😺💤😲😵woks.,s,s,s,s,a.200202002020/0010200202@9 o
Z
Nich ikr
Dook's a dog...
Duke isn't a kangaroo...?
08:01 Mitzi: Hmm, I dont need this pompom..So lemme just play it cool and throw my pompom down..
I see you evreywhere
Brenda Lussier Lel, What can i say? Im a animatronic nerd. XD
Mitzi was like lemme just try to impress boys by throwing it and get my boyfriend back
+Fiona the fox (Lauren kesterson) me too :3
ebbcfcgg
this vid makes me really happy! Even tho I didn't grow up with Rock-afire, it's so heart warming to see how excited the adults were to see them!
lepelican Me too!
lepelican same
Hell no
You don't know where my profile pic is from ñnñntwertfdfyggggghbhhhhqqqqqqqqqqq
Same
Those were in pretty good shape considering the age.
There not good shape if you look at arons show it's older
@@tommylucas56 for their age yes they are in pretty good shape. if they werent taken care of properly they probably would barely work
@@fattfatt502 You're right about that.
This show is in amazing condition! I really wish to see a Rock aFire Explosion show sometime in my life.
The only thing they need is new masks dooks mask looks like he is moaning or something and mitzis mask sqishes over her eye
And mitzi needs a new wig hers looks tangled and weird it's also missing her bangs
+Oliver Sasse And Fatz' is melted a bit, that's why his mouth is always open lmao
+FOButt Or maybe his mouth just needs some adjusting. :/
Mitzi DROPPED HER FRIGGIN POM.POM. HOW IS THAT GOOD CONDITION? ?? xd
Wow. You may be the luckiest person in the world. I know you didn't personally do anything, but you just might be my hero for even being in this situation. This must have been so surreal for you. This video made me day. Thank you.
For those wondering, they’re playing the VERY last showtape made for The Rock A-fire Explosion. Before Chuck E Cheese took over 😭
Nope, they used some of this audio for the last one however. The last showtape only used Rolfe and earl, as the center stage and billy bobs stages were being converted to CEC
@@S.J.C._Entertainment Then again they only used those Rolfe & Earl segments in the out of business hours and was only instructed to use it during business hour if in the emergency situation in which the remodeling of the other two stages are not complete on time. The Rolfe & Earl showtape SPP made are pretty much Rolfe & Earl talking about the upcoming changes and some cyberstar clips getting shown on the TV screens.
@@sethhorst6158 yeah
@@S.J.C._Entertainment -
@@ukail1481 ?
This is one of the best condition shows that's not Aaron's
And smitty's super service station
I think the sign has melted
spoiled pikachu umm this one is in prestige condition
@@officialhyperman whats your point
I agree with you about that
This was such a wonderful surprise for me to! Of course, I knew my babies were touring Ireland but I had no idea how they looked or worked. I am so proud of that show and it brings back great memories for me too!
Aaron
hi Aaron
Mr Fechter.
,,
Poor Mitzi she looks like she's been sharing some of that gasoline with loony bird and I think poor beach bear is suffering from Parkinson's.
Ssfinch with Beatles how can an animatronic suffer from Parkinson's?
Ssfinch with Beatles
Ssfinch with Beatles #
sunwolf sunwolf Because its called a joke
I would kill to go see RAE and I didn't even grow up with them
same here
Me too I grew up with Chuck e chesse by I watch therockafire youtube channel
Same
Same
I actually saw these at my school carnival last year. They were in pretty damn good shape! It was the most fun I've ever had!
School...
CARNIVAL???
brian Glasgold I saw these in 8th grade. im in high school now
I did too... OMIGURD
Dook (the drummer) is like "I wanna go back home to Showbiz Pizza" :( he looks so sad! Yes I know it's because his mask is melting from the lights and the heat.
I spell his name duke now
Dook always looks sad, even if his mask is in good condition.
I wish we had these guys instead of chuck's gang... I love how the faces are and how all the characters move so much and almost feel real. I take back what I said about them being creepy, they are AWESOME! Somehow the franchise took a step backwards with chuck e cheese... They don't sound nearly as scripted and generic as chuck e cheese either...
Rebecca Mc Yeah- about half of the CEC's only have One character... Cheeky or whatever it's name is... And he's the only ones. The RockAFire's so much... friendlier and Marie compared to CEC.
Unluckysaurus Half the people in the world can’t even remember all the characters names because they don’t bother to ( I remember all the characters names in Chucky cheese because I I grew up with it ) but everyone knows about this place, because really beats Chucky cheese.
Rebecca Mc I. Hate. U. So. Much.
I feel like Showbiz Pizza Copied CEC because they cane 4 years before. Chuck E Cheese: 1977. Showbiz Pizza Place: 1980
I remember the names, Dook Larue, Billy Bob, Mitzi, Beach Bear, Rolfe and Earl, Looney Bird, ChooChoo, Birthday bird and, Uncle Klunk.
8:01
Don't you just hate it when the darn thing slips outta your hand?
Yeah...why did you throw it down Mitzi? It looked like you threw it.
so true!!
Maggie Venhuizen I was ment to do a swaying dance at that point and it slipped onto the ground when i put my arms down.
Oh..I see. I thought you were angry about something and that's why you threw it XD
Maybe she's trying to become Helen Henny.
Wow that's some impressive stuff, this blows anything I've seen from the Chuck E Cheese band.
Ian Knau ikr
Omg, now I have a reason to move to Ireland, And it looks like Duke's face is about to Melt off...
Spirit Claw true
Spirit Claw dook
Spirit Claw what about mitzi
Which one is dook?
Spirit Claw it’s is melting as we watch it sags
These guys are in pretty good condition compared to some of the other old ones that people have rented. Lucky you!
Mitzi: Hmm do I need this pompom?, nah, lemme just play it- you know what?
*throws pompom on ground*
Mitzi: Finally, my hand is free.
To this day I still think these guys are legends
I was afraid of these guys until they moved. Then I was impressed by how smooth they moved and loved them.
I loved these guys so much. I had a showbiz pizza about 15 min away from my little town. We went there all the time, I was scared to death of Fats too! I remember every time we went one of them was in the process of being fixed or breaking down in the middle of the show. Was still fascinated by them though. I still have the vinyl my parents got me for my 5th birthday. Thnx for letting us know these guys are still "alive!"
I was still a baby when these guys went away so naturally I got introduced to Chuck E Cheese first and was blown away by them! Now as an adult discovering The Rock Afire Explosion I'm obsessed and love them more than the Chuck E Cheese band. My favorite is Beach Bear ♡♡♡
Agreed, Beach Bear is awesome.
this put a huge smile on my face
Awesome! There in pretty good condition!
Better than Billy Bob's Wonderland for sure!
Miss these guys so much.. Ita such a shane to see the condition most are in.. I hope they will allow he restored and brought back one day...
Mitzi singing The Lover's Concerto is
8:01 there goes Mitzi's Pom Pom.
Showbiz Pizza Central RIP Pom Pom
F’s in the chat
@@coydog7902F
*touches rafle's face on screen* SOON soon i will meet you in person ;-; my mother will be so proud of me
I do the same thing to Mitzi. XD
Sapphire TV™ I do the same thing with all of them. *cri*
***** I need a picture of beach bear.
***** Yesss
LOL
Thank you for being so kind to share sweet memories with us!
8:24 she seems really happy all of a sudden and that’s really awesome how she is bobbing her head when she hit the note and had her arms out stretched she I would have been back there clapping like crazy they are working perfectly fine
OmFg no wayyyyy they made my childhood as well!! I used to live in NY and I went to the fun zone when I was a kid just to see the Rock A fire explosion!
8:00 "I'm so done with the pom-pom" hahahaha
I'm impressed with this band! Especially when the drummer has real drum gears from Ludwig brand!
I can't imagine how blown away I would be to stumble upon this while traveling. WOW! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for this video!!! You made my day!! I miss these guys so much, I have been told the story from my mother about them letting us go up to the stage to meet the band and I was put up there and said "I love you Billy Bob!" LOL...I wish kids these days could experiance the magic of these charaters...I had totally forgotten about the wolf on the left side of the stage, then someone else mentioned the sun and moon I had totally forgotten about them too!! I still love you Billy Bob!
Hi I'm 13 years old and I agree with you, and I actually wish I could experience the rock-afire explosion and it's full Glory
i like that Mitzi's hair is braided, shows that they're being taken care of best they could. this band is definitely one of the better quality ones.
This is way better than chuck e cheese
Wolfspirt 58 totally
Wolfspirt 58 nope cuz beach bear stopped worki g at the show i seen cuz i was there
Wolfspirt 58 ikr
so would chuck e chesses robots if they were left in this state they all have damaged masks an probably busted cylinders
Chuck E Cheese is made of reskins of these animatronics. So your comment makes no sense.
I haven’t seen them in action since the 80s. Wow. Just WOW!
8:01 Mitzi is just like, “Screw this! Get me a microphone so I can sing my heart out!”
I’m 16, so this is really interesting to me.
Ok who remembered watching this as a kid?
I would pay around 1,000$ just to see these guys LIVE
There's a public show in West Virginia called Billy Bobs wonderland, and they just got restored. I went, it's cool.
I found it. i found this video after 6 years 😮😅
lol I like going back to videos to
i loved the animatronics but at the end when they say when a kid can be a kid... DID FEKIN CHUCK E CHUMP STEAL DAT 2!?
Aqua Diovotic yep
Of course. Chuck E. Cheese ruins all the good shit
Yes Chuck e Cheese stole it
Aqua Diovotic Chuck E. Cheese was made in the late 70's. Showbiz came in the 80's i believe. Sooooooo it's the other way around.
Showbiz pizza bought chuck e cheese and after 1992 converted every location to chuck e cheese and did away with the rock-afire explosion band. Nothing was stolen, they just made some horrible changes after aquiring the chuck e cheese brand. They should have probably kept both brands running if anything cause I like many don't like that rat chuck and his purple friend, but love rock-afire explosion band.
The part at 8:49 had me thinking they was bout to start church shouting 😂😂 (growing up in church...that little segment of chords is the go to for when they start dancing)
"I can't believe i came to Ireland and found my childhood"
So happy to c loved them as a kid in east tenn proof that the 80"s rocked!!! I had the biggest smile no my face watching this video! Ty
Rock-afire Explosion was way better then Chuck E Cheese
EXACTLY
YEP
i agree
E.X.A.C.T.L.Y
Facts
Thank you so much for introducing me to the rock-afire!!!
Also, since they used compressed air, a leak in a valve or dirty air cylinder can cause issue's such as hand not moving etc due to poor air flow. Ahh these were the days, no ardrino circuit boards still used a grey box controller to make the lights and air valves work and play music. A lot of the movements were triggered by tones that opened and closed the valves and cylinders by the grey box computer controller.
It was honestly pretty perfect the way Mitzi's pompom fell out of her hand. dramatic? she's really into the music.
Omg bring them back to USA!!! I would love that! They are part of my childhood!! I had two birthday parties at Showbiz! This band Rocks!! I would love to have my kids be part of their lives!
There's a public show in West Virginia called Billy Bobs wonderland, and they just got restored. I went, it's cool.
7:20 he winked at me! Awww! I love looney bird!100/10 rating! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😜😜😜😜😜😜😍😍😍😍😍😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
For those that don't know Arron fector (sp?) Of CEI still refurbishes these rock afire explosion animatronics to this day, he even has one of the originals and has done Ralph the Wolf, Billy Bob, and Fats voices.
Rolfe earl, it's pronounced ROLFE dewolfe.
ohhhh myyyy gaaawd!! I used to love AND be terrified of these guys back in the Showbiz days.....this is amazing!
For anyone looking for a Rock-afire Explosion experience, there are at least two in operation in the eastern US. There is a small museum in Pace, Florida called "Snap's Blast from the Past Museum", it's privately run but open to the public. Just make a reservation ahead of time. Even bigger is "Billy Bob's Super Wonderland" in Barboursville, West Virginia (near Huntington and the KY/OH border). This is as close as you're going to get to a modern Showbiz Pizza experience. The animatronic ba
Who ever took care of these things really cared about them and the audio still works??!!!!
I wish i was alive when these were around. They move to the song unlike chuck e cheese.
And mostly one person sings while the rest just blankly state at them, I hate that. Mostly in RAE they don't look at each other unless they're talking
I’m glad you found the Rock-afire Explosion once again during a holiday in alcohol country, but! what I do find disturbing is the fact that your childhood all took place in…West Des Moines, Iowa-
*You poor poor soul*
Showbiz Pizza's video arcade was LEGENDARY. They had TONS of games and the vast majority of them are considered classics today.
I’m disappointed that they bought it cec, which would end up killing them
this is a great video. they are in amazing condition. especially seeing as they are a travel band!
oh my gawd....i want to go there and see them...that is just awesome!
I LOVE THESE GUYS!!! Thank you so much for shareing this!! ^_^
BEACH BEAR THAT IS NOT HOW PLAYING GUITAR WORKS
Will he is old mabey his arm broke
Clockwerk the Hoo-DINI! Lol
Clockwerk the Hoo-DINI! Lol🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂
His arm broke.
I remember 3 years ago I found your video...made me laugh..and I was amazed by these guys! This video led me to some of aarons other videos..
And that's how I found his channel...been subscribed to Aaron for 3 years now...and I still watch his videos till this day!
Lol she dropped her one of her pom poms.
NICE! I too am from Des Moines and grew up in the 80's/ early 90s- That's a pretty amazing find. :) Huge part of my childhood, too
Srsly almost cried while watching this it brings me back to when I was like REALLY tiny and I would go to chuck e cheese all the time just to see duh rock a fire explosion! I hate them for getting rid of the old guys :( they were always my favorites, I wish I had a time machine... IDEA! *goes to room grabs wrench starts hitting piece of wood with it* there! My time machine is done! You know SOME day I hope there will really be a time machine so I could go back and see my old friends- the old chuck e cheese characters
They aren't Chuck E Cheese characters.
sorry that was a mistake, i just spelled rock afire and my ipad apparently doesnt know what that it, so it auto corrected to chuck e cheese ._.
It's not CEC characters its showbiz pizza
Actually some restaurants had renamed to Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza before changing the characters
Thank you so much for uploading this. This is REAL!
these animatronics move better than the Chucky e cheese robots . thumb's up if you agree☺
Thumb. Up. Agree
Nicole Babkow WAY BETTER
Nicole Babkow so much better
Nicole Babkow no i been to ShowBiz Pizza before and mitzi,fatz,and billy bob malfunctioned and they had to shut down for 5 days just to work the kinks no my kids love chuck e cheese becaise we never encounter malfuncions
Nicole Babkow
I grew up with Chuck'e Cheese, but now RockAFire Explosion hit me with a twist, now I prefer these Guys than Chuck'e Cheese.
I like chuck e cheese but I love the rockafire ex explosion
This is a trip down childhood memories. Can’t believe they are in Ireland!
I miss the birthday song they sang
This is 10 years old now XD
I wonder what condition they’re in now
Thanks for this video it make me in love with the rock afire explosion
Beach bears hand. Is. Broken. Does. Anyone. Notice? If. Anyone. Noticed. Reply. To. This. Comment. Immediately
I noticed. In England, can't remember where, I saw the show in amazing condition. Clean characters, no dust on the stage, all the lights worked and no damage on the characters. The only difference was Mitzie had on a different outfit. possible because the costume had gotten really nasty.
charasmaticRebel That is Hannah bananas
Stacie Heath it is broken his hand is broken beach bear hand is normally playing his gautair in the middle of the gautair
Stacie Heath I did
Stacie Heath Well they are pretty ancient in comparison to back when they were new.
Looks pretty good!
8:01 When you decide to quit your job and you throw whatever you're doing on the ground.
Mitzi: Play it cool... Just... Calmly quit your job during the show...
did i really think i was funny when i wrote this
honestly I probably did think so. I might wanna delete this comment-
That's pretty cool! Now they're touring all around the world! 💜
What the heck. I heard some dude in the backround yelling, GREEN LIGHTNING!! Something like that.
It's just a drunk Irish man
That's what I thought. What did he look like? You probably saw him Mitzi lol.
GREEN LIGHTNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+Beach Bear :hits in face with prop frog:
Lol. Mitzi: that's right get outta here!!
oh I hope they bring these back...they're awesome...freaky, but awesome
4:35 BREEZE LIGHTNING
This was the first video I ever watched of the rock afire explosion and now I LOVE IT SO MUCHHHHHHHHHH
they braided mitzi's hair omg thats so cute
I swear to god I’ve seen them or at least one of them in Switzerland at a festival. But then again there are many animatronics looking similar to them
They look good here, but i don't know if that's just me or the air pressure is a little bit high, also fatz mouth isn't closing at all when is not talking. And beach bear paw looks like is going to get out his body
Edit: and mitzi's mask looks a little bit melted
HAHAHAH the drunk guy who keeps shouting out "greased..... GREASED LIGHTNIN'!!!! greased... GREASED LIGHTNIN!!!!!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I've always hated chuck e cheese ... literally when I was little I would cry, because of that ugly imposter... bring back the rock afire, there way better, who's with me?
Me, I've always hated chuck e cheese too
me! i hate Chuck E Cheese he is so friggen creepy
Me
@GachaLife Juleka amen! Yes Rock-afire for life!
@GachaLife Juleka you're most welcome!
I still love both Chuck E. Cheese’s and The Rock A Fire Explosion Band. Neither of them I love more than the other. Now for a funny moment for funnel bois!
Fatz Geronimo) Thank u thank you thxxxxx
Beach bear: Wow! That’s the most awesome piece of music I’ve NEVER seen you play!
Fatz Geronimo) wait, whatcha mean beach bear?!
Beach bear: I mean I never saw ur hands move one time but good job!
Fatz Geronimo
It came from Funtime Pizza Circus 1983-1986, 1988-90's.
Interesting, guess that explains how they have some cyberstar segments.
Some trivia: Showbiz Pizza actually bought at Chuck E. Cheese, not the other way around, but Showbiz Pizza decided to use the characters that Chuck E. Cheese already had instead of the Rock-a-Fire Explosion characters.
The decision was made to scrap these characters because this band was never owned by Showbiz Pizza but they had to pay the owners compensation to use them. By using the new characters, which they now owned, they didn't have to pay a fee to use them.
The characters seem so alive and interactive
Edit:is it just me or was the whole stage shaking?
My entire childhood!!! Thank you so much for posting!!!
I like the song at 6:54
I wish I could see these guys. Rolfe, Mitzi, and Beach Bear are my favorites :(
8:10 I think you dropped somthing mitzi......
At 3:30 Billy bob's like "I think you are suspicious, Fatz!"
David Salkin ikr XD