Evolution and honesty are critical factors when it comes to the secret of becoming a truly inspirational and long-standing band. Just look through the history books to realise these characteristics’ importance. They’re two words that sit proudly in the heart of Bridgend quintet Funeral For a Friend’s natural make-up. From humble beginnings in the Welsh Valleys, here’s a band who have carved themselves an exceptional and unique career. And now with the imminent release of fourth album Memory And Humanity, Funeral have once again squashed any preconceptions fans might harbour and created a new vision that sees the band ahead of the pack in every sense.
Memory And Humanity marks a new chapter in FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND´s career on many levels. The album’s release couldn’t be timed more perfectly either – exactly five years to the day of the release of FFAF’s breathtaking, Gold-selling debut ‘Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation’.
Recorded in Cardiff with Romesh Dodangoda (The Blackout, Kids In Glass Houses), according to frontman Matthew Davies, thematically it’s the band’s darkest and most poignant record to date, while sonically he believes it’s also he rawest, most honest and energetic-sounding album of the band’s career.
“People have come up with the assumption it is going to be like ‘Casually Dressed…’, which would be impossible and frankly I have no interest in reproducing that because we have done that record and why would we want to do it again?” explains Matthew. “This is the Big Brother record of our second album ‘Hours’. That record encompassed a lot of influences of the band that were quite broad and I think Memory And Humanity is more of a fuller version of that.
“It also takes the personal politics angle of that record to a more realised degree. When you see a world that is seemingly disintegrating around you as you’re living your life, you question where you stand as a human being.
Sometimes people get scared of living life and that annoys me – life is for living, to live your life in fear is counter productive to what it means to be alive.
“This album is about not being afraid to live your live. We’re living in an age where we’re dominated by the fear of war and other issues. Everyone is scared to do anything, even to speak about anything; it’s so ridiculous, and before you know it the whole world will end.”
Leaving behind the major label world after the band’s third album ‘Tales Don’t Tell Themselves’ was deemed too intelligent for their then home Atlantic, FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND have made the wise choice of becoming independent by setting up their own label – equating to ultimate control and ultimate creativity. It harks back to the band’s debut release, the ‘Between Order And Model’ EP, released on Welsh label Mighty Atom, but with added knowledge.
As drummer Ryan Richards explains: “Setting up Join Us – our own label – has been a big step and very liberating. We did it at the right time and we’ve been able to put into the practice all the things we have learnt.
“Even down to the name, it encapsulates that feeling of doing something different and going down our own path. It is in a way to lead by example, showing new bands that they can do it without having to have a major label or any label. If you work hard and believe in something you can really achieve it on your own steam.”
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND represents family, it represents friendship and unity, even the band’s moniker – despite what some people may think – reflects the quintet’s positive mental attitude.
“We just should have a disclaimer everywhere,” laughs Matthew. “‘The band you are about to hear are all about positive things!’ We’ve always said that to us it represents the celebration of what it is to be alive and remembering the good things, the good memories and the positive aspects and the golden age of things.”
It’s been something of a whirlwind journey of world tours, three albums (all achieving Gold status), dark times when Matthew almost lost his voice with exhaustion, and a never-ending list of achievements. Tours with rock legends such as Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park, three Top 20 singles, NME tours and winning Kerrang! magazine’s Best British Newcomer Award….. the list is endless!
What’s always remained a constant throughout is the notion that FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND have never lost sight of why they are doing this – the music. And in their short five years of releasing music, the five-piece have achieved the impossible – they’ve straddled genres to declassify themselves. Standing outside any scene – be it Brit-rock, emo or post-hardcore – FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND is simply about strong, meaningful songs created by five long-term friends.
And with the release of Memory And Humanity, Funeral For A Friend are a band not intent of stopping anytime soon. You see, evolution counts for everything.
