FuneralFor A Friend could just be one of the last bastions of hope for the British
hardcore scene. 14 years on, their vehemence and passion has not subsided in
the slightest as evidenced by the recent release of their seventh album. Chapter and Verse is classic Funeral
For A Friend, awash with melodic attitude sharpened keenly by a personal point
to prove. Maniacs spoke with frontman Matthew
Davies-Kreyes.
It was recorded in two weeks with our very good friend Lewis Johns, who has
also made records with bands like Gnarwolves and Shark
and a lot of emo/screamp/post hardcore bands from the UK as well as Europe. The
frontman explains comprehensively of the album Its a
very raw album. Some of its very political, its very directed. Its an I
dont give a fuck kind of album and its fucking awesome.
All
seems simple enough : although nothing is ever as black and white as it seems
when it comes to politics and music.
Everything from social inequality,
wealth inequality, capitcalism, sexism, social politics. I dont delve it hat
deeply into political activism, but things like social inequality are very much
at the forefront of things that I care about and, growing up socialist, are
things that always fed into my lyrical content over the years and are quite
prevalent on this record. Theres also some personal stuff there, so its a
mixed bag really. He says expanding on the origins of his lyrical standpoint.
I think every record that weve had has touched on political aspects. Even
from ort very first EP, when we grew up in the hardcore scene, in the 90s, the
more political aspect were quite strongly prevalent in everything that you did.
It wasnt just about the music or getting into circle pits, it was about being
active in your scene and being vocal about a lot of those elements and aspects
that a lot of bands dont really say anything about. For me its a combination
of all of those points over the years and maybe just getting older. Life
changes.
Although Chapter and Verse follows its bristling
forbearer Conduit (from 2013) it
bares more resemblance, philosophically, to some of Funerals earlier work,
proving that ideas have a way of not only evolving but remaining part of the
fabric that makes up the central values held by the band.
We were all pretty pissed off and in a negative
head space. The singer admits of the sessions surrounding Conduit. I think theres a lot more positivity and contentment in Chapter and Verse, which makes for
really good communication and sharing of ideasI think wanted to maintain
elements of what Conduit had, but
really incorporate more development in the songs. I think it follows on from Conduit very nicely, but I do think that
Chapter and Verse pairs itself up
with Hours, our second record, really
well.
Hot
on the heels of the release of Chapter
And Verse was the announcement the band would be returning to Australia for
a series of headlining shows to test the mettle of the new material live.and
maybe take in a few sights!
We always try to hang out and
experience things and chill out and enjoy the time that we have there. Its
hard playing shows, youre always travelling. He laments. Theres never any
moment when you can go crazy and do the whole holiday, touristy thing. The year
before last we got to do way more cool things than weve ever done on any of
our trips to Australia before. We actually drove around the country playing
which was amazing Its going to sound corny, but coming back to Australia is
going to be very fucking cool. We have so much fun down there that we wish we
were actually an Australian band, its kind of sad to say. Im looking forward
to the record coming out, playing some killer shows.
And no doubt Australia is ready to hear FFAFs
next Chapter (and Verse)!
Chapter
and Verse
is out now on Roadrunner Records. Check out the back page of the latest issue of MANIACS for all the dates for
the April tour.
