Aftertaste is the taste intensity of a food or beverage that is perceived immediately after that food or beverage is removed from the mouth.^[1] The aftertastes of different foods and beverages can vary by intensity and over time, but the unifying feature of aftertaste is that it is perceived after a food or beverage is either swallowed or spat out. The neurobiological mechanisms of taste (and aftertaste) signal transduction from the taste receptors in the mouth to the brain have not been elucidated completely. Recently, the primary taste processing area located in the insula has been observed to be involved in aftertaste perception.^[2]

Temporal taste perception[link]

Characteristics of a food’s aftertaste are quality, intensity, and duration.^[1] Quality describes the actual taste of a food and intensity conveys the magnitude of that taste. Duration describes how long a food’s aftertaste sensation lasts. Foods that have lingering aftertastes typically have long sensation durations.

Because taste perception is unique to every person, descriptors for taste quality and intensity have been standardized, particularly for use in scientific studies.^[3] For taste quality, foods can be described by the commonly used terms ‘‘sweet’’, ‘‘sour’’, ‘‘salty’’, ‘‘bitter’’, "umami", or “no taste”. Description of aftertaste perception relies heavily upon the use of these words to convey the taste that is being sensed after a food has been removed from the mouth.

The description of taste intensity is also subject to variability among individuals. Variations of the Borg Category Ratio Scale or other similar metrics are oftentimes used to assess the intensities of foods.^[1][3][4] The scales typically have categories that range from either zero or one through ten (or sometimes beyond ten) that describe the taste intensity of a food. A score of zero or one would correspond to unnoticeable or weak taste intensities, while a higher score would correspond to moderate or strong taste intensities. It is the prolonged moderate or strong taste intensities that persist even after a food is no longer present in the mouth that describe aftertaste sensation.

Foods that have distinct aftertastes are distinguished by their temporal profiles, or how long their tastes are perceived during and after consumption. A sample testing procedure to measure a food’s temporal profile would entail first recording the time of onset for initial taste perception when the food is consumed, and then recording the time at which no there is no longer any perceived taste.^[5] The difference between these two values yields the total time of taste perception. Match this with intensity assessments over the same time interval and a representation of the food’s taste intensity over time can be obtained. With respect to aftertaste, this type of testing would have to measure the onset of taste perception from the point after which the food was removed from the mouth.

Variability of human taste perception[link]

The categorization of people into “tasters” or “nontasters” based on their sensitivity to the bitterness of propylthiouracil and the expression of fungiform papillae on their tongues has suggested that the variations from person-to-person observed in taste perception are genetically based.^[6] If so, then sensations of aftertaste could also be affected by the activities of specific genes that affect an individual’s perception of different foods. For example, the intensity of the aftertaste sensations "nontasters" experienced after caffeine consumption was found to diminish faster than the sensations "tasters" experienced.^[1] This may imply that because of their taste bud profiles, "tasters" may be more sensitive to the tastes of different foods, and thus experience a more persistent sensation of those foods’ tastes.

Taste receptor dynamics[link]

Because a lingering taste sensation is intrinsic to aftertaste, the molecular mechanisms that underlie aftertaste are presumed to be linked to either the continued or delayed activation of receptors and signaling pathways in the mouth that are involved in taste processing. The current understanding of how a food's taste is communicated to the brain is as follows:^[7]

1. Chemicals in food interact with receptors on the taste receptor cells located on the tongue and the roof of the mouth. These interactions can be affected by temporal and spatial factors like the time of receptor activation or the particular taste receptors that are activated (sweet, salty, bitter, etc.).
2. The chorda tympani (cranial nerve VII), the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX), and the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) carry information from the taste receptors to the brain for cortical processing.

In the context of aftertaste, the combination of both receptor-dependent and receptor-independent processes have been proposed to explain the signal transduction mechanisms for foods with distinct aftertastes, particularly those that are bitter.^[8] The receptor-dependent process is the same as what was described above. However, the receptor-independent process involves the diffusion of bitter, amphiphilic chemicals like quinine across the taste receptor cell membranes. Once inside the taste receptor cell, these compounds have been observed to activate intracellular G-proteins and other proteins that are involved in signaling pathways routed to the brain.^[8] The bitter compounds thus activate both the taste receptors on the cell surface, as well as the signaling pathway proteins in the intracellular space. Intracellular signaling may be slower than taste cell receptor activation since more time is necessary for the bitter compounds to diffuse across the cell membrane and interact with intracellular proteins. This delayed activation of intracellular signaling proteins in response to the bitter compounds, in addition to the extracellular receptor signaling is proposed to be related to the lingering aftertaste associated with bitter foods.^[9] The combination of both mechanisms leads to an overall longer response of the taste receptor cells to the bitter foods, and aftertaste perception subsequently occurs.

Aftertaste processing in the cerebral cortex[link]

The primary taste perception areas in the cerebral cortex are located in the insula and regions of the somatosensory cortex; the nucleus of the solitary tract located in the brainstem also plays a major role in taste perception.^[7][10] These regions were identified when human subjects were exposed to a taste stimulus and their cerebral blood flow measured with magnetic resonance imaging. Although these regions have been identified as the primary zones for taste processing in the brain, other cortical areas are also activated during eating, as other sensory inputs are being signaled to the cortex.

For aftertaste, much is unclear about the cortical processing related to its perception. The first neuroimaging study to evaluate the temporal taste profile of aspartame, an artificial sweetener, in humans was published in 2009.^[2] In it, the insula was observed to be activated for a longer period of time than other sensory processing areas in the brain when the aftertaste profile of aspartame was measured. Subjects were administered a solution of aspartame for a specific amount of time before being instructed to swallow the solution. Functional magnetic resonance images of the blood flow in the subjects’ brains were recorded before and after they swallowed the aspartame solution. Before swallowing, the amygdala, somatosensory cortex, thalamus, and basal ganglia were all activated. After swallowing, only the insula remained activated and the response of the other brain regions was not evident. This suggests that the insula may be a primary region for aftertaste sensation because it was activated even after the aspartame solution was no longer present in the mouth. This finding aligns with the insula’s identification as a central taste processing area and simply expands its function. An explanation for less activation of the amygdala was that because it is a reward center in the brain, less reward would be experienced by the subjects during prolonged exposure to the aspartame solution.

Distinguishing aftertaste and flavor[link]

Flavor is an emergent property that is the combination of multiple sensory systems including olfaction, taste, and somatosensation.^[11] How the flavor of a food is perceived, whether it is unpleasant or satisfying, is stored as a memory so that the next time the same (or a similar) food is encountered, the previous experience can be recalled and a decision made to consume that food. This process of multisensory inputs to the brain during eating, followed by learning from eating experiences is the central idea of flavor processing.^[12][13] Richard Stevenson mentions in The Psychology of Flavour that people often do not realize that a food’s flavor can be described by the food’s smell, taste, or texture. Instead, he claims, people perceive flavor as a “unitary percept”, in which a descriptor for either taste or smell is used to describe a food’s flavor.^[11] Consider the terms that are used to describe the flavors of foods. For instance, a food may taste sweet, but oftentimes its flavor is described as such while not considering its smell or other sensory characteristics. For example, honey tastes sweet so its smell is associated with that descriptor, and sweet is also used to describe its flavor. In fact, sweetness is one of the four basic taste qualities and only comprises part of a food’s flavor.

Unlike flavor, aftertaste is a solely gustatory event that is not considered to involve any of the other major senses. The distinction of being based on one (aftertaste) versus multiple (flavor) sensory inputs is what separates the two phenomena.

Foods with distinct aftertastes[link]

Artificial sweeteners[link]

Low-calorie artificial sweeteners like saccharin and acesulfame-K are known for their bitter aftertastes.^[14] Recently, GIV3727 (4-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopentyl) butanoic acid), a chemical that blocks saccharin and acesulfame-K activation of multiple bitter taste receptors has been developed.^[15][16] In the study, the addition of the bitter taste receptor antagonist GIV3727 to the saccharin and acesulfame-K solutions resulted in significantly lower taste intensity ratings when compared to the solutions that were not treated with GIV3727. This suggests that GIV3727 inhibits the normal functions of the bitter taste receptors because saccharin and acesulfame-K's bitter aftertastes were not observed. The ability to inhibit activation of the bitter taste receptors can have far-reaching effects if the bitter aftertastes of not only these two artificial sweeteners but also other foods, beverages, and even pharmaceuticals can be minimized.

Wine[link]

In wine tasting the aftertaste or finish of a wine, is an important part of the evaluation.^[17] After tasting a wine, a taster will determine the wine’s aftertaste, which is a major determinant of the wine’s quality. The aftertaste of a wine can be described as bitter, persistent, short, sweet, smooth, or even non-existent. Included in assessing the aftertaste of a wine is consideration of the aromas still present after swallowing. High quality wines typically have long finishes accompanied by pleasant aromas.^[17] By assessing the combination of olfactory and aftertaste sensations, wine tasting actually determines not only the aftertaste profile of a wine, but its flavor profile as well.

References[link]

Benjamin Lee
Ben Lee at the 2008 Australia Day Live Concert in Canberra
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Michael Lee
Born	(1978-09-11) 11 September 1978 (age 33)
Origin	Sydney, Australia
Genres	Indie pop
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Labels	Ten Fingers/Inertia Dangerbird Records Modular Recordings New West Records Lojinx
Associated acts	Noise Addict The Bens Gerling
Website	Official website

Benjamin Michael "Ben" Lee (born 11 September 1978 in Sydney) is an ARIA Award winning musician and actor. Lee began his career as a musician at the age of 14 with the Sydney band Noise Addict, but focused on his solo career when the band broke up in 1995. He appeared as the protagonist in the Australian film The Rage in Placid Lake (2003). Lee has released eight solo studio albums.

Career[link]

Noise Addict[link]

Lee's musical career began in 1993 with the band Noise Addict, who were signed to Steve Pavlovic's independent label Fellaheen Records, on the strength of a self-produced and distributed four-track demo recorded in Lee's bedroom. Pavlovic's connections brought the band to the attention of Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and Beastie Boys' Mike D, both of whom released the band's material in the US. The group put out several releases on the Beasties' Grand Royal Records. These including the acoustic Young and Jaded EP in 1994, which contained Lee's Evan Dando tribute, "I Wish I Was Him." In 1995, Grand Royal released the band's only full length, the Brad Wood produced Meet the Real You. Noise Addict made a music video for the song "16", toured with Sebadoh, but then broke up. Lee was also briefly a member of the alternative act Gerling. In 2009 Lee recorded a new Noise Addict album, "It was Never about the Audience," with a new lineup; Lou Barlow and Lara Meyerratken.

Solo career[link]

Lee's solo career started at the age of 16, while he was still in Noise Addict. He began recording his first solo album, Grandpaw Would, in both Sydney and Chicago with producer Brad Wood. This was followed by the 1997 album, Something to Remember Me By, also produced by Wood. Lee was then featured on the There's Something About Mary soundtrack, with the song "How to Survive a Broken Heart". 1998's Breathing Tornados, released on Pavlovic's new label Modular, marked a new direction for Lee as he introduced synthesisers and increased instrumentation into his sound. The album was a success in Australia, earning Lee ARIA Award nominations for Best Male Artist and Album of the Year. The album's first single, "Cigarettes Will Kill You", was also nominated for Single of the Year and finished second in that year's Triple J Hottest 100. In 2001 Lee contributed a track ("Sweet Is the Night") to a Jeff Lynne tribute album Lynne Me Your Ears.

Lee's fourth album, hey you. yes you., was released in 2002. The first single from the album, "Something Borrowed, Something Blue", reached number 67 on the ARIA Charts and number 22 on the 2002's Triple J Hottest 100. The second single, "Running with Scissors", peaked at number 82 on the ARIA charts.

In late 2004, Lee left Steve Pavlovic's Modular Recordings and started up his own record label, Ten Fingers. The first release on the label was the single, "Gamble Everything for Love", followed by the album, Awake Is the New Sleep in February 2005, which went double platinum in Australia. A defining release in his career, the album showcased a much brighter, positive side of Lee's personality, in contrast to his previous darker musings. Awake Is the New Sleep received several nominations for the 2005 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards, and Lee won Best Male Artist, Best Independent Release, and Single of the Year for "Catch My Disease", which Lee wrote with Mcgowan Southworth. "Catch My Disease" also went to #2 on the 2005 Triple J Hottest 100. In addition, the song was featured on the soundtracks to the 2005 films Just Friends and Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, as well as the soundtracks to the television series, Grey's Anatomy, Hidden Palms and Scrubs. In 2006 it was used in a television commercial for Dell Computers. On 26 March 2006 Lee performed "We're All in This Together" from Awake Is the New Sleep at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The single for "We're All in This Together" was released on 8 April 2006. The CD includes cover versions of the song by Pony Up, Holidays on Ice and Gelbison. "We're All in This Together" is being used in commercials for Kohl's (2008), Coca Cola (Remixed Australian Summer Series Ads in 2007), the South Australian Government (2006), the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal (2007) and Telus Mobility's "My Faves" (2007).

Ben Lee released his sixth album, Ripe, on 18 September 2007 with Benji Madden and Mandy Moore making appearances. Mandy Moore sung a light-hearted, '50s style duet with Lee called "Birds and Bees". "Mandy was very sweet and did her best Olivia Newton-John for me. I'm really psyched about this recording," Lee says. Madden helped out with some backing vocals, along with US band Rooney and Sara Watkins from the band Nickel Creek. Benmont Tench, keyboardist from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers also contributed. The song "American Television" from the album was used in a VH1 advertisement for Flavor of Love 3 and the song "Ripe" appeared in an episode of One Tree Hill (Season 5, episode 2).

In 2007, Ben Lee did a cover of Crosby, Stills & Nash's "Our House" for Landmarks on The DL.^[1]

On 6 February 2009, Lee released his seventh studio album, The Rebirth of Venus, which received mixed reviews.^[2]

In August 2011, it was announced that Lee's eight studio album, Deeper Into Dream, will be released on 11 October.^[3]

Personal life[link]

Lee was raised in a Jewish household but does not consider himself religious. He was educated at Moriah College in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Lee dated Claire Danes for several years; their relationship ended in 2003. Lee married actress Ione Skye on 28 December 2008, in a Hindu wedding ceremony in India. Their first child, Goldie Priya Lee, was born on 24 September 2009.^[4][5]

Lee was nominated as PETA's World's Sexiest Vegetarian^[6] in 2008. However, as Lee himself admits,^[7] he eats fish and therefore is not a vegetarian.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Grandpaw Would (1995)
• Something to Remember Me By (1997)
• Breathing Tornados (1998) #13 Australia
• hey you. yes you. (2002) #45 Australia
• Awake Is the New Sleep (22 February 2005) #5 Australia (2x Platinum)
• Ben Lee Sings Against Me! New Wave (2007)
• Ripe (18 September 2007) #11 Australia
• The Rebirth of Venus (6 February 2009 Australia and 10 February 2009 US) #21 Australia
• Deeper Into Dream (October 2011)

EPs and singles[link]

• Pop Queen (1994)
• Away with the Pixies (1995)
• From Breathing Tornados:
  • "Cigarettes Will Kill You" (1998) #46 Australia
  • "Ship My Body Home" (1998)
  • "Nothing Much Happens" (1999)
  • "Tornados" (1999)
  • "Freediving" (2000)
• From Dando Lee Petersson Schwartzman:
  • "Dead or Anything" (2002)
• From hey you. yes you.:
  • The Dirty Little Secret EP (2002)
  • "Something Borrowed, Something Blue" (2002) #67 Australia
  • "Running with Scissors" (2003) #82 Australia
• From Awake Is the New Sleep:
  • "Gamble Everything for Love" (2004) #39 Australia
  • "Catch My Disease" (2005) #27 Australia
  • Into the Dark EP (2005) #97 Australia
  • "We're All in This Together" (2006) #59 Australia
• From This Bird Has Flown – A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul:
  • "In My Life" (2005)
• From Ripe
  • "Love Me Like the World Is Ending" (2007) #18 Australia
  • "Numb" (2007) #54 Australia
  • "American Television" (April 2008 – radio promo)
• From The Rebirth of Venus
  • "I Love Pop Music" (2009) #86 Australia
  • "Rise Up" (2009)
  • "Song for the Divine Mother of the Universe" (2010)

Awards and nominations[link]

Awards[link]

• 2005 ARIA Music Awards, Single Of The Year – "Catch My Disease"
• 2005 ARIA Music Awards, Best Male Artist for Awake Is the New Sleep
• 2005 ARIA Music Awards, Best Independent Release for Awake Is the New Sleep
• 2005 ARIA Music Awards, Best Cover Art for Awake Is the New Sleep
• 2006 APRA Music Awards, Song of the Year – "Catch My Disease"^[8]
• 2006 APRA Music Awards, Most Performed Australian Work – "Catch My Disease"^[9]

Nominations[link]

• 2008 ARIA Music Awards, Best Independent Release for Ripe
• 2006 ARIA Music Awards, Best Male Artist for We're All In This Together
• 2006 ARIA Music Awards, Best Pop Release for Into the Dark
• 2006 ARIA Music Awards, Best Independent Release for We're All In This Together
• 2005 ARIA Music Awards, Album Of The Year for Awake Is the New Sleep
• 2005 ARIA Music Awards, Best Pop Release for Awake Is the New Sleep
• 2005 Australian Music Prize, for Awake Is the New Sleep
• 2003 ARIA Music Awards, Best Male Artist for hey you. yes you.
• 1999 ARIA Music Awards, Album Of The Year for Breathing Tornados
• 1999 ARIA Music Awards, Single Of The Year for Cigarettes Will Kill You
• 1999 ARIA Music Awards, Best Male Artist for Breathing Tornados

Apple influence[link]

The album Awake Is the New Sleep and a selection of other tracks are a feature of the iTunes Music Store Essentials with many singles featuring as a part of the AppleCare Technical Support music on hold.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Ben Lee - Dangerbird Records
• Ben Lee on Facebook
• Ben Lee on Twitter
• Ben Lee on Myspace
• New West Records Page
• Ben Lee at the Internet Movie Database
• Ben Lee discusses his favourite songs
• Concert photos by Laurent Orseau (Black Session)
• Ben Lee Interview
• Ben Lee Behind the Scenes video: Madison magazine Green Issue shoot
• Ben Lee collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
• Ben Lee talks about his album Ripe and life in New York City
• Interview with Ben Lee on TheWaster.com

Funeral for a Friend are a Welsh post-hardcore band, from Bridgend. Formed 2001, they have released five studio albums, seven EPs, sixteen singles, one DVD, and one compilation album.

History[link]

Formation and early years (2001–2003)[link]

When Michael Davies, one of January Thirst's original vocalists, quit in December 2001, Matthew Evans (vocals) and Johnny Phillips (drums) invited Matt Davies (later Davies-Kreye) to try out for the vacated singer position. Soon afterward the band reformed as Funeral for a Friend, the name is derived from a song by Planes Mistaken for Stars, one of Davies favourite bands at the time.^[2]

During the start of the New Year they parted ways with second guitarist Kerry Roberts (Kris Coombs-Roberts's brother) and found a suitable replacement in Darran Smith (ex-Tripcage). The band recorded four tracks at Mighty Atom Studios for a proposed self financed EP with another Welsh band From This Moment On. Upon hearing the tracks, Mighty Atom Records approached the band and offered a two album deal, resulting in their debut EP, Between Order and Model (2002). Before the EP's release, Andi Morris (bass) quit, with Phillips and Evans also leaving. The band then recruited Gareth Davies (later Ellis-Davies) on bass and Ryan Richards on drums. Matt Davies became the band's only primary vocalist, with Gareth Davies performing backing melodies and Richards taking over Evans' screaming role.

In 2003, Funeral for a Friend recorded their second EP, Four Ways to Scream Your Name, produced and mixed by Colin Richardson. In mid-2003, the band secured their first Kerrang! award, winning the award for "Best UK Newcomer", beating The Darkness, who won in all other nominated categories. Funeral for a Friend's win was largely attributed to their fervent fan base, as the awards winner was decided by public vote online at the official Kerrang! Web site. In August 2003, Funeral for a Friend opened the Concrete Jungle stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

Signing to a major record label and mainstream breakthrough (2003–2006)[link]

On 20 October 2003, after recording for the duration of the summer, Funeral for a Friend's full-length debut album was released. Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation, produced and mixed by Colin Richardson, was released to critical acclaim in the UK. The album did not see a concurrent release in the US (eventually released there on 13 July 2004); instead, a seven-track "mini-album", entitled Seven Ways to Scream Your Name, was released, and featured songs from the band's Between Order & Model and Four Ways to Scream Your Name EPs. In the United Kingdom the album received a Gold certification a year after its release on 29 October 2004,^[3] which was achieved with a sales figure of over 100,000.^[2]

Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation saw three top-twenty singles including "Juneau" (#19), "She Drove Me to Daytime Television" (#20) and "Escape Artists Never Die" (#19).^[4] Funeral for a Friend toured feverishly to promote Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation, including a series of European dates in which they opened for their idols, Iron Maiden.^[5] This was met with a mixed reception, as their style and fan base bore little resemblance to the heavy metal background of Iron Maiden.^[2] In 2004, the band headlined the second stage of the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

On 14 June 2005, the band released their second album Hours through Atlantic Records. The album was produced by Terry Date and was recorded in two Seattle studios owned by the grunge band Pearl Jam. The album featured unusual methods of recording, for example Matt Davies' vocals were recorded whilst in a moving car and on a crowded Seattle street, for the song "Drive". In August of the same year, the band won a Kerrang! Award for "Best British Band".

Funeral for a Friend performed several low-profile shows in Wales, including Bangor University and Bridgend Recreation Centre, prior to the release of Hours. This contrasted against their subsequent shows, which included playing alongside bands such as Atreyu, Saosin, Hawthorne Heights and Thrice on the 2005 Vans Warped Tour. The band also performed on the main stage of the Reading and Leeds Festivals, having to leave the Warped Tour early to do so. The band also played on the main stage of the Taste of Chaos tour in the US in 2006, alongside bands such as Story of the Year, Deftones and Thrice.

Funeral For a Friend closed the promotional jaunt for Hours in the Summer of 2006, with a series of UK shows rescheduled from February. Most of the original dates had been canceled because Matt Davies had suffered from a bout of laryngitis. Several other shows were scheduled in the UK to complement these rescheduled dates, and the tour culminated in a slot below headliners Guns N' Roses at the Download Festival at Donington Racetrack. The rest of 2006 was spent writing and recording the band's third album, Tales Don't Tell Themselves released in May 2007.

[edit] Tales Don't Tell Themselves (2007)

Funeral for a Friend mentioned the writing of this album during their UK shows in summer 2006 and they started writing and recording at the end of the tour. Tales Don't Tell Themselves was released on 14 May 2007 in the UK, having been leaked to the internet on 10 May 2007. The band released video diary updates of the recording on their MySpace page. On 19 March 2007, Into Oblivion (Reunion), the first single from the album, premiered on the Zane Lowe Show on Radio One. It was given a 7 May physical release, and the video can be seen and the song heard on their MySpace. It reached number 39^{[citation needed]} in its first week of release on downloads and reached number 16 in the Official UK chart on 13 May 2007.

A selection of intimate shows to promote the album were played on 12, 13 and 14 April 2007 in intimate coastal venues in the south of England. Only 200 tickets were available for each show and these had to be applied for via an e-mail sent to members of the FFAF mailing list. Names were then picked out of a hat and the selected people were offered the opportunity to buy a pair of tickets to the gig, exclusive t-shirts were given to anyone paying using paypal mobile. On 8 May 2007 the band released Tales Don't Tell Themselves in its entirety for fans to preview via their MySpace page. This album is the first on which Matt plays guitar. On 10 May 2007 the band played another intimate gig for Kerrang! 105.2 at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall Bar, in which they played "Walk Away" for the very first time. This is one of the tracks which Matt plays guitar on live, alongside "Raise The Sail" and "The Sweetest Wave", which were debuted on the full tour in May 2007. The album was their highest charting yet, reaching Number 3 in the UK Album Charts.^{[citation needed]}

On 16 July 2007 Walk Away, was released as the second single from Tales Don't Tell Themselves and reached number 40^{[citation needed]} in the UK singles charts. It was announced in a newsletters that "The Great Wide Open" would be the next single and would be released as an EP. The EP, The Great Wide Open was released on 15 October 2007 through Atlantic Records, negating the release of the single itself.

[edit] Memory and Humanity and Your History Is Mine (2008–2009)

On 26 January 2008, drummer Ryan Richards made an announcement on the band's forum, stating that FFAF were to spend the first few months of the year recording, with a view of releasing a four or five track EP in March or April 2008. After writing more material than originally planned, the band decided to scrap plans for the EP and released a full-length album instead.^[6] Ryan also announced that the new album would contain screaming vocals, riffs and would be closer to Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation than any of their other albums, although would still be significantly different and more technical, citing that they want to move forward, and never back to any old style.

On 11 May 2008, it was announced via a MySpace bulletin that the band would be shooting a video for the first single from the album, "Waterfront Dance Club", on 17 May. "Waterfront Dance Club" was played exclusively for the first time on Radio 1's Rock Show^[7] on 2 June 2008, where it was also announced that the single would be released as a double A-side with the track "Beneath the Burning Tree". Both singles were also released as a limited edition 7" on the same date.^[8] The album's title was confirmed as Memory and Humanity by Rock Sound magazine on 30 June 2008, and that its release would take place in October 2008.^[9] On 2 July 2008, the band announced the UK tour of Memory and Humanity, commencing 14 October 2008.

9 August 2008 saw the debut of the video for the single "Kicking and Screaming" on MySpace. Later that month on the 27th, it was announced that the band had licensed their new record to Victory Records for the U.S. and Canadian releases. The album was released via the label on October 28, 2008. It was also released via Roadrunner Records in the rest of the world, apart from the UK, where it was released through the band's own label, Join Us.^[10] The release was followed by a tour in Britain, Ireland and northern Europe, supported by Canadian hardcore punk act Cancer Bats.

On 4 September 2008, it was announced via a MySpace blog post that Gareth Davies had left the band, to be replaced by Gavin Burrough (Hondo Maclean, Ghostlines, The Future). "As some of you may know, Gareth has been living in America for the past couple of years, and recently got married. Ultimately, the strain of travelling between continents has taken its toll and Gareth made the decision that it would be in the best interests of himself, his family and Funeral to leave the band. We totally respect and understand his choice, wish him all the best in his future and we thank him for being part of our lives for the past 6 years."^[11] The first interview to surface with Burrough in the band appeared on the Rocklouder webzine in the week of the Memory and Humanity release.^[12] In the 24 January 2009 issue of Kerrang! magazine, it was stated that the band were currently filming the video for the third single off the album, Rules and Games. The single was released on 23 March 2009. They will also be going on tour with We Are the Ocean supporting to coincide with its release.

It was initially revealed in Kerrang! magazine on 24 June 2009 that the band were to release a greatest hits album, entitled Your History Is Mine: 2002-2009 on 28 September 2009. the Compilation album was released by Atlantic records because the record deal between the band and the label allowed the Atlantic records to release a compilation CD at any point in the bands career. the band then decided to record four brand new tracks in order to give the greatest hits value to fans.^[13] On 21 July 2009, Funeral For A Friend debuted one of the four new songs from the greatest hits album titled Your History Is Mine: 2002-2009. The song was called "Wrench" and premiered on Radio One's Rock Show with Dan Carter. Zane Lowe credited them as "one of the best British bands of the last decade" upon the release of Your History Is Mine.

[edit] Break from Atlantic Records and Welcome Home Armageddon (2009–2011)

On 23 April 2010, Funeral for a Friend announced on Facebook that guitarist Darran Smith would be leaving the band, but not before playing his final shows. He wrote a farewell message on the band's website.^[14] On 26 April 2010, Funeral for a Friend wrote on their forum about their lineup change, paying homage to the departure of their friend Darran Smith, but also announcing the new member. Gavin Burrough changed instrument from bass to guitar, taking over Darran's place as guitarist, and the new bassist of Funeral for a Friend will be Richard Boucher (Hondo Maclean, Hurricane-Joe, Ghostlines). The band noted: "He's SO good on bass that we let someone with blonde hair join our band. That ought to be an indication of how great he is." The band stated that they are excited for the new material being made and can't wait to show the fans what they have: "The creative well, is well and truly overflowing. Exciting times. Stay tuned, and be ready."^[15]

On 3 May 2010 the band announced that they will be releasing a special new EP to fans who "pledged" through website pledgemusic.com, the "pledge" options include the EP, a signed EP and even an acoustic performance by the band at a fan's residence.^[16] On 1 July 2010 the band revealed that the EP will titled The Young and Defenceless and also revealed the cover art.^[17] It was also announced via Kerrang! that the newly recorded EP would be released on 1 September 2010; however, in actuality, the downloadable version was released on 6 September 2010 with the physical copies being planned on being released sometime in the third week of October. On 9 November, Funeral For a Friend released a music video for the track Serpents in Solitude.^[18] Towards the end of October 2010 they finished a session of recording for a new album for which a name and date were yet to be announced. On 2 November, they played two new songs, confirmed to be on this album (which was announced as due for release in March 2011), called "Man Alive" and "Front Row Seats to the End of the World". Another song title was confirmed as "Spinning Over the Island".^[19]

On 10 January 2011, the band released the official video for the album's leading single "Front Row Seats to the End of the World" and announced their fifth studio album would be called Welcome Home Armageddon.^[20] On 17 January, they released the album's artwork and track list^[21] On 24 January, it was announced that the album was to be released by Good Fight Music, a move that would reconnect the band with the original label team that released Seven Ways to Scream Your Name and Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation.^[22] On February 9, the band released the video for their newest single, "Sixteen". On 5 March 2011, the band played their first ever show in South Africa, at the RAMFest in Worcester, outside of Cape Town alongside Alkaline Trio and Die Antwoord. They concluded their South African tour by playing in Durban and Johannesburg on the 9th and 12 March 2011 respectively.^[23]

Welcome Home Armageddon was released 14 March 2011 in the UK and March 15 in the US. It was announced as a nomination for a inaugural Welsh Music Prize^[24] however lost to Gruff Rhys' Hotel Shampoo.^[25]

On 28 September 2011, Funeral for a Friend announced the release of a new extended play to be released in Novermber. The EP is titled See You All In Hell and it will feature only one brand new track while the remainder of the tracks are acoustic, live session recordings and remixes of tracks from Welcome Home Armageddon as well as a cover of Strife.^[26] The band has expressed an eagerness to return to the studio and write the follow up to ‘Welcome Home Armageddon’ and they describe ‘High Castles’ as being a "good indication of where we’ll be taking things on the next record."^[26] The release of the EP is accompanied by a UK tour by the band in October with support from Escape The Fate, The Amity Affliction, The Bunny The Bear and Straight Lines.^[27] On 13 October 2011, Funeral For A Friend released a new digital single from the EP titled "High Castles", the only original track from the EP. See You All In Hell was released on 7 November.^[24]

[edit] Sixth studio album and Ryan Richards departure (2012-present)

In April 2012, the band entered the studio to begin recording their sixth album.

On the 10th of April, Funeral and Crashburn Media announced the sale of "Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation Live And In Full At Shepherds Bush Empire DvD." This is a recording of the band playing their last show feature Darren Smith on guitar.

On 22 May 2012 Ryan Richards announced that he was leaving the band. Richards cited his family as the reason, saying: "I’ve always put music first in my life – but the time has come now for my family to take the top spot". Richards' replacement, Pat Lundy, is the former drummer of London based metal band Rise To Remain, who left the band in January 2012.^[28]

Musical style and influence[link]

Funeral for a Friend have shown a progression and maturity with each record. Although their music has developed around post-hardcore^[5][29][30], emo^[5][30][31] and melodic hardcore.^[32] Their musical style has also been cited as alternative rock, heavy metal^[5][29] and screamo.^[30][32] Deftones, Iron Maiden, The Misfits and The Get Up Kids has been said to be their primary influences.^[5] The band has commented on the uses of the tag emo, drummer Ryan Richards stated: "I have no more problem with being called emo than with being called metal or hardcore, I just don't think any one term or label does justice to the music we do."^[1]

Their earlier EPs and their debut album Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation were considered their heaviest work for some time, as their subsequent material used less aggressive vocals and instrumentation; however, recent years have seen a resurgence of such elements and a higher number of 'heavy' songs. Their second album Hours is seen as being a part of the new wave of emo that occurred during the mid 2000's.^[33]

While their next two albums followed a different musical direction. With Tales Don't Tell Themselves they use a more pop rock and post-hardcore style with classic rock,^[34] alternative country^[35] and 80's heartland rock^[36] influences. The album uses choral elements for tracks like "Into Oblivion (Reunion)". Their 4th album, Memory and Humanity returned to a more post-hardcore sound however adopted a more alternative rock influence, incorporating a emo influence with a anthemic rock uplift.^[5]

The Young & Defenceless and their fifth album Welcome Home Armageddon saw them returning to a more aggressive elements of post-hardcore, combining melodic hardcore.^[34] However, it has also been noted that Welcome Home Armageddon incorporates more pop rock inspired hooks and melodies, the album's more melodic approach is credited in songs like Old Hymns.^[32][37] The band and critics alike have said that because they released the two on indie labels they had more creative freedom from when they were signed to Atlantic Records. When Welcome Home Armageddon came out, critics were quick to compare and contrast it to Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation. Andy Ritchie when reviewing Welcome Home Armageddon for Rock Sound he said "put it this way: for those of you that have waited eight years to hear ‘Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation: Part Two’, well, here it is." Further commenting that they are "sounding more like themselves than they have done in years".^[38] Davey Boy of Sputnikmusic wrote: "Welcome Home Armageddon is as much a step forward for the Welsh quintet, as it is a reacquainting themselves with their past."^[37]

Legacy[link]

They have been said to be a prominent influence on the British post-hardcore scene, primarily with their debut album Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation. James Ding of AbsolutePunk stated that: "...the album still stands tall atop of many recent releases due to the quality of the music on offer, and even though FFAF may have strayed from the style that started their career, this is still a landmark album in modern British rock music".^[39] In April 2011, Rock Sound magazine inducted Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation into Rock Sound's Hall Of Fame, crediting the album as an influence on albums by bands like: Fightstar, The Blackout, Kids In Glass Houses, We Are The Ocean and Asking Alexandria.^[40]

Members[link]

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation (2003)
• Hours (2005)
• Tales Don't Tell Themselves (2007)
• Memory and Humanity (2008)
• Welcome Home Armageddon (2011)
• Untitled 6th album (Autumn 2012)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website