The coolest and nicest drummer in the world, Ryan Richards, gave to FFAF BR an exclusive interview!
He says more about the new album, Brazils concerts and what he want to know.
No more bla bla bla, check the interview:

FFAF BR: We know that you are independent again, and will release a new album in september. How you guys made the decision of leaving the Atlantic Records? We know that notice at all, but how it was decidades? Did everyone dealed with that in a good way?

Ryan: We had a great relationship in the UK with Atlantic and definitely left on good terms. A lot of the people who were at the label when we signed had moved on and it just didn’t feel the same anymore so we shook hands and went our seperate ways. We’re grateful for all Atlantic did for us but we’re equally excited about having complete control and doing things ourselves.

FFAF BR: What are the current influences of the band that could be on the new album?

Ryan: I don’t know if our influences have changed on this album, but it definitely has a different vibe to the last record. With the last album we took a lot of influence from classic bands we grew up listening to like Queen, Boston, Journey… stuff like that; whereas this time it’s probably influenced more by the stuff we were listening to when we first started Funeral for a Friend.

FFAF BR: There is something special or different in this next album?

Ryan: We like to think that every album we do is different to the one before it and obviously we consider every album of ours to be special. When we play a live show we have lots of different types of songs next to each other, like playing ‘This Years Most Open Heartbreak’ next to ‘History’ or playing ‘The Art of American Football’ next to ‘Juneau’. We just wanted to write a record that had that kind of variety and variation.

FFAF BR: What the new album is about?

Ryan: It’s not really about anything, in particular. Whereas the last record was a concept record based on one theme, this record is much more like the earlier albums lyrically. Just talking about real life situations rather than fictional ones.

FFAF BR: The video from the new single ‘Waterfront Danceclube’, will be filmed in somewhere special here in Brazil?

Ryan: I believe it’s going to be filmed in Sao Paulo, but it’s not confirmed yet. We thought that seeing as we’re going to be in such an amazing place as Brazil that we should take advantage of the surroundings. The idea for the video looks pretty exciting so we’re really looking forward to it.

FFAF BR: About Matt and Ryan’s projects, how are they going?

Ryan: My other project (Ghostlines) is going really good actually. We’ve got a myspace page up at www.myspace.com/ghostlinesband with a few songs up there. The way we’re doing things is that we’re just going to record a song at a time, rather than ever recording an album just so that fans can make an album depending on what they think are our best songs. It’s a pretty interesting way to do things I think. I think a lot of people were quite surprised with the music though and probably expected it to be quite heavy when actually it’s really mellow and calm. As for ‘The Secret Show’, I’m not really sure what’s happening with that but I’ve heard a few new songs at their live show and it’s definitely cool stuff.

FFAF BR: And about Brazil? What are you guys excited to know? Somewhere special, like tasting some brazillian’s food? You don’t have to mention the girls!!! [lol]

Ryan: I’m definitely excited about seeing Brazil. One of the best things about being in a band is getting see different places and experiencing different cultures. I’m pretty open minded about trying different food and drinks, and I definitely want to experience some Brazilian history and I think we get a day off in Brazil too so I’m definitely planning to make the most of that.

FFAF BR: What you expect from the shows in Brazil? And what Brazil can expect from you?

Ryan: I’ve heard such great stories about the fans in Brazil and how much energy they have. We definitely hope to see that at our shows The show from us is going to also be full of energy and we plan to play songs from every record since it’s our first time to Brazil.

FFAF BR: You know some brazillian’s music? Something of Brazil’s rock? If know, what do you know and what you think of it?

Ryan: I was a big fan of Sepultura growing up. I remember when I was learning drums I always used to practice to their songs when I bought a double kick pedal. Igor Cavalera was a big influence on me for sure. I remember watching the last-but-one show Sepultura did with Max and Igor in the UK and it was definitely one of the best gigs I ever went to. I’ve heard a couple of songs from the Cavalera Conspiracy and it sounded cool so I’m looking forward to hearing that record.

FFAF BR: Rufio is going to open your shows. Do you know them before? What do you think about them?

Ryan: It’s really good to have Rufio playing with us. I remember when I was in my old band we were pretty heavy and Rufio was the only melodic punk band we all really liked. ‘Perhaps, I suppose’ is a great album so I’ll be enjoying watching Rufio’s show for sure.

FFAF BR: FFAF is in your third album and is going to release a new one in september, but some brazillian’s fans still like the old songs. We are talking about a lot of people that will see the band for the first time… You are thinking in something different, special? Maybe a setlist with older songs or a longer show?

Ryan: Yeah as I said earlier, we’ll be playing songs from all our records and we’ll play for as long as we possibly can I think for every FFAF fan, no matter what record is your favourite, I think you’ll enjoy the set list.

FFAF BR: Do you guys want to leave some message to the fans? ;D

Ryan: We’d just like to say thank you for support and your patience waiting for us to come to Brazil. We’ll definitely make it worth the wait!

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Lot more soon! .o/