Welsh rock band ‘Funeral For A Friend’ have been around for a while but now they’ve launched their own label, ‘Join Us’, and released a new album, ‘Memory and Humanity’. Despite their busy schedule- they are in the middle of a UK tour- Ryan Richards, drummer and backing vocalist, took time out to talk to The Irish Critic. We find out about the new album and their rapid rise to fame.
1.You had a very quick rise to fame. How did that affect your lives?
We were a really small band so it changed everything. We all had to quit our jobs and all of a sudden we’d hit the big time. It was such a roller coaster, everything kept happening so quickly. I’d actually say that we’re still on that roller coaster now. It hasn’t really sunk in at all yet, although everything has become so normal now that it’s hard to think what our lives were like before the band. As the drummer I don’t really get recognised beyond the environment of gigs and shows so it’s the best of both worlds really.
2. You’re named after an Elton John song, why did you choose the name ‘Funeral for a Friend’?
We would get asked that question a lot when we first started out and we would just make up reasons because it’s not much of a story. To be honest it was just random- pull the name out of a hat sort of thing. It was one of those things, a name from nowhere.
3. You’re on tour at the moment, how’s that going?
Fantastic. We’re in the lovely Coventry at the moment, about half way through now I think. We’ve done a bunch of shows and they’ve all been brilliant. We’re playing lots of new songs from the new album and the longer people have to get to know the album the more they sing along at the shows. So the atmosphere just keeps getting better and better.
4. The new album has been released in the UK and soon to be the rest of the world. What has the reception been like so far?
Really positive generally, the fans seem to be liking it. The reaction to the new songs on tour has been great and we’re really enjoying playing the new sets. All in all it’s going down really well. We’re excited about the reaction in the states as well. We have a good following over there and a good team to help promote the album.
5. How do you feel about this album compared with previous ones?
People have said that it’s a return to the style of the first album but I think they’re just latching onto that because it’s easy. I think ‘Memory and Humanity’ brings together all the best elements of all the albums so far. Some songs would be right at home on ‘Tales Don’t Tell Themselves’ and some would fit really well on ‘Casually Dressed’. It’s a real mix. I think it’s my favourite album so far, but then every time you bring out a new album it’s your favourite for a while.
6. What’s your favourite song on the album?
I’d say it would be one we haven’t really played yet. We’re only playing some of the songs from the new album at gigs, the others will come later. My personal favourite would be ‘Constant Resurrections’. I can’t wait to get playing it in front of a crowd.