Real Friends (band)

Real Friends is an American pop punk band from Tinley Park, Illinois, United States. [1] To date, the band has released six EPs and three studio albums. The band was formerly signed to Fearless Records. The band released their third studio album Composure on July 13, 2018.

Real Friends
Real Friends performing in 2016
Background information
OriginTinley Park, Illinois, United States
Genres
Years active2010–2020
LabelsFearless
Associated actsThe Fastest Kid Alive
Websiterealfriendsband.com
Members
  • Brian Blake
  • Kyle Fasel
  • Dave Knox
  • Eric Haines
Past members
  • Aaron Schuck
  • Dan Lambton

History

Formation and EPs (2010–13)

In the fall of 2010 bassist Kyle Fasel "wasn't happy" with the music he was working on and wished to start over.[2] Fasel called lead guitarist Dave Knox and the pair soon started talking about the goals they wished to achieve.[2] Fasel didn't expect it to lead anywhere.[2] Vocalist Dan Lambton, who was friends with Knox, received a call from Fasel, asking if he would like to join him and Knox.[2] They were soon joined by drummer Aaron Schuck.[3] The band recorded its debut EP, This Is Honesty, in the spring of 2011. Following the release of the EP, the band began playing shows around the Midwest. The group soon realized that it "didn't feel right [playing the songs they currently had]. [...] almost forc[ing] ourselves into [a] sound."[2] They had a meeting and came to the conclusion to start over.[2] During this period of change, Fasel and Knox were playing in The Fastest Kid Alive.[4] Shortly afterwards, Schuck was replaced by Brian Blake.[3] Blake had emailed the band after he found out they needed a drummer.[2]

Real Friends didn't have a permanent second guitarist, often having their friends to substitute.[2] Eric Haines soon joined as rhythm guitarist.[3] Until Haines joined Fasel and Knox would typically write the songs and they didn't have "another guitar[ist's] opinion", according to Fasel.[2] Shortly after the release of the Everyone That Dragged You Here EP, the band's popularity increased and the audience at their shows also increased.[2] The band later released the Put Yourself Back Together EP.[5] Reviewing the EP for Rock Sound, Andy Biddulph said noted that he would not be "surprised" if the band was "mixing it with the big boys in a year's time".[6] In November, the group supported The Wonder Years on their UK shows, included UK Warped Tour.[7].

Maybe This Place Is the Same and We're Just Changing (2013–15)
Main article: Maybe This Place Is the Same and We're Just Changing

Fearless signed the band in December 2013.[8] The band were initially hesitant to sign to a label but called Fearless "different. They made it feel more like a family."[9] The group "still wanted full control of our band" while Fearless would help with marketing and distribution, according to Fasel.[10] The band recorded their debut studio album in February[11][12] with producer Seth Henderson.[13] The band released its debut studio album, Maybe This Place Is the Same and We're Just Changing on July 22, 2014.[14] The album sold over 10,300 copies,[15] charting at number 24 on the Billboard 200.[16] The band played on the 2014 Vans Warped Tour supporting the album's release, appearing on the Journey's Stage. More Acoustic Song EP was released for Record Store Day in April 2015.[17][18] One of the tracks, an acoustic version of "Late Nights in My Car", features Kevin Jordan from This Wild Life.[19]

The Home Inside My Head (2015–2017)
Main article: The Home Inside My Head

Fearless Records announced that a new Real Friends record would be released on their label in 2016, through a post on their official Twitter account, which was made on December 22, 2015.[20] Prior to the Fearless announcement, the band had made several references to the recording of a new album throughout 2015 on their Facebook and Twitter pages. Real Friends finished recording their second full-length album on the road, in February 2016.[21] Prior to the album's announcement, the band began to play a new song entitled "Colder Quicker" during their live sets. On April 1, 2016, the band announced the title of their new album as being The Home Inside My Head, along with the album's release date, cover art and track listing. Additionally, on the same day the band released a music video for "Colder Quicker".[22] The album was released on May 27, 2016.[23]

Composure (2017–2020)

On November 16, 2017 the band released a single entitled "Get By".[24] On June 18, 2018 the band announced the new album Composure set for release on July 13, 2018 to their home town fans during an RSVP Acoustic session.[25] It was preceded two weeks prior by a single entitled "From the Outside", which was accompanied by a music video.

The band released an EP called Even More Acoustic Songs which features hits such as “Get By”. There was a limited 7" vinyl pressing.

In early 2020, the band deleted their previous posts on social media, causing many to believe their breakup. Lambton has denied these rumors. On February 14, 2020 the band released a statement saying they have parted ways with Lambton.[26] In the statement, they noted "This is not the end of Real Friends. We have simply turned the page to the next chapter." [27] The band has not said any further comments on the situation, but they posted a statement on the Black Lives Matter Movement in June 2020.[28]

Style and influences

Real Friends has been described as pop punk,[29][30] emo[31] and emo pop.[32] Punknews reviewer said "If American Football went totally pop-punk, Real Friends would be the result."[33] Vocalist Dan Lambton has been described as a cross between The Starting Line's Kenny Vasoli, The Wonder Years' Dan Campbell and The Dangerous Summer's AJ Perdomo.[29] Bassist Kyle Fasel has cited American Football, Dashboard Confessional, The Early November, Jimmy Eat World, The Promise Ring, Saves the Day, The Starting Line, Spitalfield, Taking Back Sunday and Thursday as influences.[34]

Side projects

Lambton joined with Knuckle Puck members Joe Taylor and Ryan Rumchaks to form Rationale.[35] With Rationale, Taylor plays guitar and sings vocals, Rumchaks plays drums, Lambton on guitar and vocals[35] and rotating bass players, Tyler Albertson & Nick Casasanto. "Hangnail" was made available for streaming on December 5, 2015, and their debut EP Confines followed four days later.[35]

Discography
Main article: Real Friends discography

Studio albums

Members
Current [36]
  • Dave Knox – lead guitar, backing vocals (2010–present), lead vocals (2020–present)
  • Kyle Fasel – bass guitar (2010–present)
  • Eric Haines – rhythm guitar (2011–present)
  • Brian Blake – drums, percussion (2011–present)
Past
  • Aaron Schuck – drums (2010–11)
  • Dan Lambton – lead vocals (2010–2020)
Timeline

Timeline
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References
  1. Ableson, Jon; Tremain, James. "In The Spotlight: Real Friends". Alter The Press.
  2. Real Friends (2013). Never Growing Up, Never Giving Up (Documentary). Real Friends. Event occurs at 0:41–1:22 for early beginnings; 1:42–2:08 for Lambton joining; 2:25–43 for early sound; 2:49–3:14 for Brian Blake; 3:49–4:11 for live guitarists and Eric Haines; 6:07–7:06 for popularity increase following Everyone That Dragged You Here; 10:46–57 for Gary Weissmann.
  3. Lymangrover, Jason. "Real Friends - Biography - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  4. Prokop, Jennifer (October 3, 2011). "TFKA strives for new musical direction". thelewisflyer.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  5. DiVincenzo, Alex (May 2, 2013). "Real Friends to Release New EP Next Month". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  6. Biddulph, Andy (June 23, 2013). "Real Friends - Put Yourself Back Together". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  7. Obenschain, Philip (June 11, 2013). "The Wonder Years announce additional UK dates with Real Friends". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  8. Crane, Matt (December 17, 2013). "Real Friends sign to Fearless Records". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  9. Grace, Eleanor (December 17, 2013). "Real Friends sign to Fearless Records". idobi.com. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  10. Hudelson, Molly (November 26, 2014). "'An album is your identity': Interview with Real Friends' Kyle Fasel". AXS. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  11. Kraus, Brian (February 1, 2014). "Real Friends enter the studio for new album". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  12. Crane, Matt (February 18, 2014). "Real Friends finish recording debut album". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  13. Maybe This Place Is the Same and We're Just Changing (Booklet). Real Friends. Fearles. 2014. FRL301972.CS1 maint: others (link)
  14. Kraus, Brian. "Real Friends Announce Debut Album". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  15. Wippsson, Johan (July 31, 2014). "Melodic Net - Real Friends' Debut Album Lands At #24 On Billboard Top 200". melodic.net. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  16. "Real Friends - Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  17. Biddulph, Andy. "Real Friends Are Gearing Up To Release More Acoustic Songs". Rock Sound. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  18. Reandelar, Dana. "Real Friends To Release 'More Acoustic Songs' EP". Under The Gun Review. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  19. "Real Friends Are Gearing Up To Release More Acoustic Songs". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  20. "New Real Friends Album Confirmed for 2016 Release". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
  21. "Real Friends". Blog.realfriendsband.com. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
  22. "Real Friends Stream "Colder Quicker", Announce New Album". Fuse TV. April 1, 2016.
  23. "Real Friends announces sophomore LP 'The Home Inside My Head,' releases new single". Substream Magazine. March 31, 2015.
  24. "Real Friends debut energetic new song, "Get By"—listen - News - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  25. "Real Friends - NEW ALBUM "Composure" revealed to hometown fans first". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  26. https://twitter.com/realfriendsband/status/1228378383106691075?s=20
  27. Pearl, Julia. "What is going on with Real Friends?". Allpunkedup.com. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  28. "https://twitter.com/realfriendsband/status/1267638691473719296". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-06-29. External link in |title= (help)
  29. "14 Reasons All The People Hating On Real Friends Are Flat-Out Wrong". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  30. "Top 10 New Pop-Punk Bands: Modern Baseball, Candy Hearts & More - Billboard". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  31. "Fearless Records - Real Friends". Fearlessrecords.com. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  32. "Real Friends | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  33. "Real Friends". punknews.org. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  34. "The 10 emo bands that helped shape Real Friends' sound". Loudersound.com. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  35. Kraus, Brian (December 5, 2015). "rationale. (members of Real Friends and Knuckle Puck) stream debut single, "Hangnail"". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  36. (Asmadakos, Tess), (December 18, 2018), https://www.inkedmag.com/music/dan-lambton-talks-newest-real-friends-album, Retrieved, December 18, 2018
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