To Fred Mascherino, Coatesville is more than just his hometown – it’s still his home, even though he’s lived in West Chester for the past two years. So when the depressed steel mill town was ravaged by a rash of fires from 2008 to 2009, the ex-Taking Back Sunday guitarist, and mastermind behind the new rock powerhouse, Terrible Things, couldn’t help but be distraught, frustrated, outraged and moved to put his feelings into words. What came out of that is Terrible Things’ self-titled debut (releasing on August 31 via Universal Motown) – a commanding, emotionally gripping concept album that explores themes of isolation, trepidation, heartbreak and aggravation. For the record, Mascherino and co. (which includes Coheed and Cambria’s Josh Eppard and Hot Rod Circuit’s Andy Jackson) will play two CD release parties – one tomorrow Friday, August 27, at First Unitarian Church and the other, Wednesday, September 1, at The Note with an in-store performance at FYE in Broad Street earlier in the day. They’ll also be heading out on a two-month stateside tour with Mae starting October 1. We had a chance to chat with the Terrible Things frontman about the fires, getting politically involved and his favorite fake meat in a deli. You can read the interview here! (Photo by Ryan Russell)