# Funeral for a Friend
**Funeral for a Friend** (フューネラル・フォー・ア・フレンド) is a Welsh rock band formed in Bridgend, South Wales, that played a melodic blend of emo, metal, and post-hardcore (aggressive, experimental offshoot of hardcore punk rock) and reached the UK top 20 with its debut album in 2003.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) Across seven studio albums between 2003 and 2015 the band moved from the post-hardcore of *Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation* toward the more metal-oriented sound of *Hours* and later records, and it reformed in 2019 after an initial split.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) • [2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Bridgend, South Wales; formed from the ashes of a group called January Thirst, with sources dating the formation to 2001 or early 2002[2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237) • [3](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml) |
| Classic lineup | Matt Davies (vocals), Kris Roberts and Darran Smith (guitars), Gareth Davies (bass), Ryan Richards (drums)[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) • [4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend) |
| Debut album | *Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation*, October 2003, debuted at No. 12 on the UK album chart[4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend) |
| Biggest single | "Juneau", a re-recorded version of the song "Juno", reached the UK top 20[3](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml) |
| Studio albums | Seven, from *Casually Dressed…* (2003) to *Chapter & Verse* (2015)[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) |
| Awards | Best British Newcomer at the 2003 Kerrang! Awards, beating The Darkness; Best British Band at the 2005 Kerrang! awards[4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) |
| Status | Split after the *Chapter & Verse* tour (2015 or 2016, sources differ), reformed in 2019, and fronted by Lucas Woodland of Holding Absence for its 2025 shows[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) • [2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237) • [5](https://www.kerrang.com/artists/funeral-for-a-friend) |
## History
The band emerged from the Bridgend scene in [South Wales](https://www.edgepedia.org/south-wales). BBC Wales dates its formation to early 2002, from the ashes of a group called January Thirst, and notes that the quintet recorded its debut EP *Between Order And Model* within a few months of coming together, released on Swansea's Mighty Atom label.[3](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml) The Library of Congress authority record, citing the band's own homepage, gives the EP's release date as August 12, 2002.[6](http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2004019523) NME and a BBC review instead state that the band began in 2001; the year of formation is reported differently across credible sources.[2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237) • [7](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hdfd/)
A run of EPs and singles, including *Between Order and Model*, *Four Ways to Scream Your Name*, and "Juneau", earned the band a Kerrang! magazine cover before its debut album was released and a record deal with the Warner group.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) • [4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend) At the August 2003 Kerrang! Awards the band beat The Darkness to win Best British Newcomer.[4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend)
The debut album *Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation* was issued in October 2003 and debuted at No. 12 on the UK album chart.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) • [4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend) It had no concurrent US release; instead the seven-track mini-CD *Seven Ways to Scream Your Name*, collecting non-album tracks from the earlier EPs, appeared in the United States through the New Jersey indie label Ferret.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) The album spawned hit singles including "Juneau".[3](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml)
## Members and lineup changes
The original lineup was vocalist Matt Davies, guitarists Kris Roberts and Darran Smith, bassist Gareth Davies, and drummer Ryan Richards.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) Warner Music Japan lists the same five members, printing the guitarist's name as Kris Roberts and the second guitarist as Darren Smith.[4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend) A later BBC Wales lineup listing gives Kris Coombs-Roberts on guitar and Gavin Burrough on bass alongside Davies, Smith, and Richards; the bassist of the classic lineup is reported differently by different sources, with AllMusic and Warner Music Japan naming Gareth Davies and BBC Wales naming Gavin Burrough.[3](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml)
**Drummer turnover.** Ryan Richards left in 2012, citing a desire to focus on his family, and was replaced by Pat Lundy, formerly of Rise to Remain.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) • [7](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hdfd/) Richards, who had joined as drummer in 2002, returned for the 2019 reunion and remained in the band for the 2025 shows; in 2018 he founded the artist management company Future History, initially focused on helping Welsh bands.[8](https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/funeral-for-a-friend-interview-rock-castle-cardiff/)
**The singer's exit.** In 2023, after more than 20 years, Matthew Davies-Kreye announced an amicable departure following the '20 Years Casually Dressed' anniversary tour, which ended with a headline show at London's Roundhouse in October.[2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237) "It's with a heavy heart that we announce that after 20+ years, our singer and brother Matthew Davies-Kreye has decided to move on to pastures new going forward, and leaves with all our love, respect and gratitude," the band wrote; the remaining members stated their intention to create new music.[2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237) Davies-Kreye explained that his life had moved on since the 2016 split and recalled the emotional circumstances of the 2019 benefit reunion: "Given the emotionally challenging circumstances around us coming back together to play the benefit show for Big Stu in 2019, I was so happy to see just how much love there still was for our music."[2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237) Lucas Woodland, frontman of Holding Absence, was set to fill in at Slam Dunk Festival and fronted the band for two 2025 UK shows in Leeds and Cardiff.[5](https://www.kerrang.com/artists/funeral-for-a-friend)
## Musical style and influences
AllMusic characterizes the band as a Welsh outfit playing melodic metal in a post-hardcore vein.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) BBC Wales describes the sound as a pop-tinted fusion of metal, rock, and emo, and notes that the members themselves prefer not to be lumped in with emo groups, opting instead for the simple term 'rock'.[3](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml)
The band's own account of its influences places it in a specific lineage. "This was very specific, the whole post-Jimmy Eat World wave of things into My Chemical Romance, Thursday, all those bands that we loved," Davies-Kreye told AltPress, describing a heavy, hooky sound dotted with American emo and hardcore influences from [Gorilla Biscuits](https://www.edgepedia.org/gorilla-biscuits) to Boysetsfire and [Jimmy Eat World](https://www.edgepedia.org/jimmy-eat-world).[9](https://www.altpress.com/funeral-for-a-friend-casually-dressed-and-deep-in-conversation-interview/)
The second album *Hours* (June 2005) was produced by Terry Date, known for his work with Deftones, and recorded over two intense months in Seattle.[4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend) • [8](https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/funeral-for-a-friend-interview-rock-castle-cardiff/) SPIN's 2005 review highlighted the chunky, metal-tinged riffs of guitarists Kris Roberts and Darren Smith, particularly on lead single "Streetcar", and identified Matt Davies's voice as the strongest link between the band and its emocore roots.[10](https://www.spinmagazine.com/2005/06/funeral-friend/) The third album, *Tales Don't Tell Themselves*, followed in May 2007.[3](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml) Of the sixth album, *Conduit* (2013), the first with Lundy on drums, the BBC wrote that it was a return to the band's musical roots and "their best album for years".[7](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hdfd/)
## Discography
AllMusic lists seven studio albums with years and labels: *Casually Dressed and Deep in Conversation* (2003, Ferret), *Hours* (2005, Atlantic), *Tales Don't Tell Themselves* (2007, Atlantic), *Memory & Humanity* (2008, Victory), *Welcome Home Armageddon* (2011, Good Fight), *Conduit* (2013, [The End](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-end)), and *Chapter & Verse* (2015, Distiller).[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) BBC Wales dates *Memory And Humanity* differently, saying that in 2009 the band self-released it; the year and release mode are reported differently across sources.[3](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml) Early EP releases include *Between Order and Model* (2002) and *Four Ways to Scream Your Name*.[6](http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2004019523) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422)
## By the numbers
Only a few commercial figures are reliably documented. The debut album debuted at No. 12 on the UK album chart in October 2003.[4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend) The single "Juneau", the re-recorded and renamed version of the song "Juno", reached the UK top 20.[3](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml) AltPress summarizes the debut's performance as going top 20 in the UK.[9](https://www.altpress.com/funeral-for-a-friend-casually-dressed-and-deep-in-conversation-interview/)
## How it compares with its peers
Davies-Kreye situates the band within the post-Jimmy Eat World wave alongside [My Chemical Romance](https://www.edgepedia.org/my-chemical-romance) and [Thursday](https://www.edgepedia.org/thursday-band), describing it as "a very fortunate position for any band to be pulled along by that momentum".[9](https://www.altpress.com/funeral-for-a-friend-casually-dressed-and-deep-in-conversation-interview/) British press expectations were high: the BBC review records that the band burst out of Bridgend "with the weight of expectation on their shoulders" and that the press billed the post-hardcore outfit as potential saviours of British rock.[7](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hdfd/) The same review's verdict on the outcome is measured: riddled with a host of problems, not least a revolving door of band members, the group did well, but never reached the stratospheric heights that others had hoped for.[7](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hdfd/) Davies-Kreye also noted that the band's American-accented singing led many listeners back home to be unaware that Funeral for a Friend was a Welsh band.[9](https://www.altpress.com/funeral-for-a-friend-casually-dressed-and-deep-in-conversation-interview/)
## Live career and tours
The band's live reputation was built on unusual company for a debut-era post-hardcore act. After the first album it toured with acts ranging from Iron Maiden to My Chemical Romance.[9](https://www.altpress.com/funeral-for-a-friend-casually-dressed-and-deep-in-conversation-interview/) Warner Music Japan records support slots for Finch and [Lostprophets](https://www.edgepedia.org/lostprophets), an appearance at Reading and Leeds in summer 2003, a first Japan tour in spring 2004, and touring in support of Iron Maiden.[4](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend) The band also appeared on the [Warped Tour](https://www.edgepedia.org/warped-tour) and won the 2005 Kerrang! award for Best British Band.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422)
Full-album anniversary performances featured in the band's post-reunion activity. In 2025, with Lucas Woodland on vocals, Funeral for a Friend headlined Rock The Castle at [Cardiff Castle](https://www.edgepedia.org/cardiff-castle), playing *Hours* front to back before 10,000 people; the two July 2025 shows, at Cardiff Castle and Millennium Square in Leeds, were the band's only full-band appearances that year.[8](https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/funeral-for-a-friend-interview-rock-castle-cardiff/)
## Split, reunion, and what has changed since 2023
The band's initial breakup is dated differently by sources: AllMusic says *Chapter & Verse* (2015) was the swan song and that the band disbanded at the end of the tour promoting it, while NME states the band split in 2016.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422) • [2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237) NME reports that the band reformed three years later, beginning with a benefit show for 'Big Stu', and then played a number of headline tours.[2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237)
Since 2023 the band's activity has centered on the *Casually Dressed…* and *Hours* anniversaries. The 20th-anniversary tour for the debut ended at the Roundhouse in October 2023, after which Davies-Kreye left.[2](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237) In 2025 the band released an anniversary LP edition of *Hours* on splatter vinyl with fresh artwork via Slam Dunk Records; the official site describes it as "an exclusive 20th anniversary gatefold reissue of our 2005 album – a record that means the world to us", pressed on black and white splatter over glass clear 12-inch vinyl.[8](https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/funeral-for-a-friend-interview-rock-castle-cardiff/) • [11](https://funeralforafriend.co.uk/) The Cardiff Castle and Leeds shows with Woodland on vocals followed in July 2025.[8](https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/funeral-for-a-friend-interview-rock-castle-cardiff/)
## References
1. [Funeral for a Friend — Biography, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/funeral-for-a-friend-mn0000187422)
2. [Funeral For a Friend singer Matthew Davies-Kreye leaves the band, NME](https://www.nme.com/news/music/funeral-for-a-friend-singer-matthew-davies-kreye-leaves-the-band-3553237)
3. [Funeral For A Friend Biography, BBC Wales Music](https://www.bbc.com/wales/music/sites/funeral-for-a-friend/pages/biography.shtml)
4. [フューネラル・フォー・ア・フレンド / FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, Warner Music Japan](https://wmg.jp/funeral-for-a-friend)
5. [Funeral For A Friend News, Kerrang!](https://www.kerrang.com/artists/funeral-for-a-friend)
6. [Funeral for a Friend (Musical group), Library of Congress Linked Data Service](http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2004019523)
7. [Funeral for a Friend — Conduit Review, BBC Music](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hdfd/)
8. [Funeral For A Friend put in the 'Hours' and conquer the Castle, Buzz Magazine](https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/funeral-for-a-friend-interview-rock-castle-cardiff/)
9. [Funeral For a Friend on 20 years of Casually Dressed and Deep in Conversation, AltPress](https://www.altpress.com/funeral-for-a-friend-casually-dressed-and-deep-in-conversation-interview/)
10. [Funeral For A Friend, SPIN (2005)](https://www.spinmagazine.com/2005/06/funeral-friend/)
11. [Funeral For A Friend — Official site](https://funeralforafriend.co.uk/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Ensembles and groups › Rock, pop, and metal bands › Metal, hardcore, and punk bands › Hardcore punk bands*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license