Funeral For A Friend

11 March 2013 | 12:50 pm | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

Welsh post hardcore outfit Funeral For A Friend are returning to Australia this May for an extensive national tour in support of seventh studio album, Conduit. Ahead of these shows, Killyourstereo.com caught up with vocalist Matt Davies for a quick chat about the new album, touring, and tips for surviving a zombie apocalypse.

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Welsh post hardcore outfit Funeral For A Friend are returning to Australia this May for an extensive national tour in support of seventh studio album, Conduit. Ahead of these shows, Killyourstereo.com caught up with vocalist Matt Davies for a quick chat about the new album, touring, and tips for surviving a zombie apocalypse.

Hey, it’s Jack from Killyourstereo.com. Where are you right now and how’s everything going within Funeral For A Friend?


Everything is going good. We just finished up our first UK tour for Conduit. It’s been an incredible start to the year!

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Let’s get the ball rolling by talking about your new album, Conduit. Quite a few of your fans are saying it’s a return to the Funeral For A Friend of old. Do you agree? What did you set out to achieve with this record?


I think it kind of is and isn’t at the same time. It’s really pushing the idea of the band further but it does touch on a lot of influences that drove us all to want to be in a band in the first place. It’s definitely the most direct and heavy record we’ve done since our very first EP.


Can you tell us a bit about the themes and ideas that inspired Conduit? Maybe using certain songs as examples?


Well, there are a bunch of different ideas revolving around the purpose of communicating emotions and messages in the sense of music, the biggest one being the title-track itself. It’s about the idea of bringing people together to share a common bond through the music.


It’s almost as though you’ve tapped into some newfound source of energy on this record, reflected in all those heavier, fast-paced moments. We’re guessing this might have something to do with drummer Pat Lundy joining the band. Would that be right?


All of the songs were written prior to Pat joining, so it’s definitely the way the band was heading anyway. Having his drumming really ramped up the aggression and drive of the songs more than what we thought capable at the time. It’s the happiest we’ve ever been with a record of ours.


What was it like working with producer Romesh Dodangoda? Considering he’s worked with Motorhead, Bullet For My Valentine and Lostprophets, we’re guessing he would have pushed you guys pretty hard to get the best results possible.


We’ve worked with Romesh on a bunch of our records and he’s a really good friend. I think with this record he gave us the breathing space we needed to make sure this record sounded how we wanted. He chipped in a little but basically pushed us to make this as raw as possible. He did a really good job.


The album artwork is pretty cool too. We’ve read it’s by former Funeral For A Friend vocalist Matthew Evans, who sang for you guys back in the early days. Whose idea was it to get him involved?


It was a mutual idea. I was on his Facebook page, saw his work and it just clicked for me. I called Kris (Coombs-Roberts/ FFAF guitarist) and he agreed. We had a rough idea of what we wanted but his art totally blew us away and it seemed like the right thing to do. It’s really helped shape the record.


On the topic of art, what other creative practices do you have outside of music?


I love photography, so that’s what I get into in my spare time. Not totally sure what the other dudes get up to.


Just for a bit of fun and to mix things up, considering your video for ‘Best Friends and Hospital Beds’ has a bit of a zombie infection theme going on, what would be your plan for surviving a zombie apocalypse?


I think a shotgun would be a must! Plus a big walled garden and a secure house with lots of seeds to grow your own vegetables. You gotta eat! (laughs)




When you’re shooting a music video like that, is it strange standing around outdoors and miming playing your instruments?


It is a bit weird, but I usually sing anyway as I feel so awkward about it. It’s a pretty odd thing though.


What advice would you offer young up-and-coming bands trying to make it in today’s competitive music industry?


My first piece of advice would be don’t try to ‘make it’. Make music for the fun and passion of it. If it’s meant to be, then people will take notice at some point. The music industry is weird - there’s no real plan you can have. Write songs you love and play as many shows as possible.


Can you name five songs by other bands that you wish you’d written?


Hmm, I can name two: ‘After the Eulogy’ by Boysetsfire and ‘Happy Birthday’. (laughs)




You guys are headed our way soon, which everyone is very excited about. Do you remember much about your last trip Down Under? Do you have any stories from the road that you can share with us?


The last time we were in Australia it was a part of the Soundwave Revolution tour and it was pretty cool. We visited my first Lord of the Fries and made some great friends. Sadly I don’t have any interesting tour stories to share, we’re pretty boring! (laughs)


You’re playing shows every night from May 8 – 18 (with the exception of a much-needed night off on the 13th) when you’re in Australia. Is it exhausting playing shows like this night after night or do you kind of get used to it? It’s not really a holiday when you’re in transit the whole time, ey?


You kind of get used to it and you feed off the vibe. I think where the band is right now, it’s cool to play those kind of shows. Travel is an incredible thing for us as a band, so we take advantage of it as much as we can, even if we don’t have much time to take in the places we visit.


Do you have trouble understanding the Australian accent? Sometimes tourists look at us like we’ve got two heads when we start speaking.


Never have, most of the time we wonder if people can understand us as the Welsh accent can get pretty thick at times.


And a few quick questions to finish up on…


Most embarrassing album in your record collection?


Don’t really have any I’m afraid.


Three things you always bring on tour?


Toothbrush, phone and laptop.


Favourite drink/meal?


A good vegan bean burger is pretty sweet and apple juice mixed with sparkling water.


What are your thoughts on the allegations surrounding Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins?


I don’t have any.


Thanks for your time, mate.




Funeral For A Friend Australian tour dates -


Wednesday May 8 - The Rev, Brisbane - 18

Tickets available from www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 and Oztix outlets


Thursday May 9 - Surfers Paradise Beer Garden, Gold Coast - 18

Tickets available from www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 and Oztix outlets


Friday May 10 - The Cambridge, Newcastle - 18

Tickets available from www.yourcambridge.com and The Cambridge Hotel


Saturday May 11 - Manning Bar, Sydney - 18

Tickets available from www.manningbar.com and 1300 762 545


Sunday May 12 - The Basement, Canberra - 18

Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au, 1300 438 849, www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au and Oztix outlets


Tuesday May 14 - The Corner Hotel, Melbourne - 18

Tickets available from www.cornerhotel.com 1300 724 867, the Corner Box Office and Fist2Face


Wednesday May 15 - Pier Live, Frankston - 18

Tickets available from Ticketmaster on 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au and Pier Live on (03) 9783 9800 or www.pierlive.com.au


Thursday May 16 - Fowlers Live Adelaide - Lic/AA

Tickets available from Moshtix on 1300 438 849 or www.moshtix.com.au and Venue*Tix on (08) 8225 8888 or www.venuetix.com.au


Friday May 17 - Amplifier Bar, Perth - 18

Tickets available from www.heatseeker.com.au 1300 762 545, Heatseeker outlets and www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au


Saturday May 18 - Prince Of Wales, Bunbury - 18

Tickets available from www.heatseeker.com.au 1300 762 545, Heatseeker outlets and www.destroyalllines.oztix.com.au