Funeral For A Friend have been one of the most consistent and constantly evolving artists to bloom from the British-bred hardcore scene. Emerging from Bridgend, Wales in 2001 have remained true to their roots with Conduit which marks the bands sixth official release. As they prepare to tour Australia in support of the new album, vocalist Matt Davies shares with Maniacs, his thoughts on travelling, pulling double vocal duties since the departure of drummer/backing vocalist Ryan Richards and what Australian bands have caught his ear lately.
On the meaning behind the title for Conduit:
“We thought of a number of names or ideas for titles that we were kind of throwing around I think when coming down to the bones of what the song itself was about. I think it kind of made sense for the guys that that should be what the record is. The song is about sharing ideas; the idea of musical passion, intensity, integrity. Coming from a hardcore background like we come from and being true to that which makes sense to all of us really.”
On taking over screaming duties since Ryan left the band:
“The new stuff, its all me you know and my interpretation, my aggressive output and I just kind of do what I do, Im not trying to replicate Ryan, I just throw myself around and play. Im not trying to be perfect, Im not trying to sing everything like it is on the record. You just kind of get into it you know and just kind of explode.”
On the recent tour of Australia:
“Travel has a massive influence on me in terms of what Im doing in my life, and educating me about the way of the world and all that and just generally meeting people and hanging out and living life and playing music and having a cathartic experience is pretty much the most important part of what we do. Its all about the release and I think thats important and I look forward to coming back and playing in Australia because its been a hell of a long time since weve been over and I think the current life of the band, the current drive and energy of the band is going to be a surprise to a lot of people as well so Im excited.”
On advice for up and coming bands:
“Play as much as you can, wherever you can, for as long as you can. Play, play, play because thats how youre going to be a better band and thats how youre going to communicate and just get better. If youre a new band, a young band or whatever, thats what you need to focus on. Dont focus on record deals and all that crap and playing at big-ass venues. You need to just believe in what you do for the love of what you do just throw yourself into it and go and fucking play man."
On what FFAF likes to do during down time:
"Were not rock stars, we dont have elaborate ways of living or anything like that. I go to the dump to drop shit off, I clean, I put stuff in the dishwasher, I do my laundry, I clean the bathroom, tidy my bedroom, I play video games, I recently signed up to Netflix, Im a big photography nerd so I go out and take lots of photographs when we travel. We come from a very blue-collar working-class background so when were off tour, thats what I go back to. Weve never been a band doing the whole rocknroll lifestyle thing so we just get back to normal life. Were normal people.”
On horror films:
“When I was a kid it used to fucking terrify me, but since Ive gotten older I became more and more fascinated by horror films and weird stuff. Im not really into super gory stuff, but I like thought-provoking movies. Theres one called Hysteria which I really love and the very first Halloween film. John Carpenters Halloween is just mind-blowingly good and The Thing, its a classic man. I wouldnt classify it as horror, but my favourite film is a film called Blue Velvet by David Lynch which is really intense and can get quite freaky at times.”
On Australian bands FFAF are digging:
“Ive just discovered an Australian band called Anchors who are pretty badass and obviously were all as a band big fans of 50 Lions and Break Even and bands like that. Ive been listening to those bands a lot recently.”
Matt Davies, what makes you a Maniac?
“Im a maniac for vinyl. I go fucking mad for vinyl. Literally everywhere we go I have to fucking hunt down a record store. Im a vinyl fiend, junkie, whatever you want to call it. I just love the format, I just think its insane how badass of a format for listening to music it is. I really go full pelt into that.”
Grab a copy of Conduit here!
