For the Fallen Dreams will release their new album Six through Rise Records on 16th February.
Formed in 2003, For the Fallen Dreams is an American metalcore band from Lansing, Michigan. Having had a number of different members in the band, For The Fallen Dreams now consist of Chad Ruhlig on lead vocals, Jim Hocking on lead guitar and co-lead vocals and Brandon Stastny on bass and backing vocals.
You can check out the band’s latest single from the upcoming album below!
We managed to catch up with lead guitarist Jim as he talks about their latest single, upcoming album and more!
So how has the release of ‘Stone; gone so far?
Stone is, by far, our most successful single to date. The feedback from our fanbase has been overwhelmingly positive and we are extremely grateful for the support. We have never had such a great response in the history of the band. It is a rewarding feeling.
Can you tell us something about the track nobody knows?
The track is about my struggles with depression and anxiety, and how it can push you to the edge. I suppose this might be obvious to people that can directly relate to the lyrics, but some people might be in the dark about it. I wanted to use a lot of repetition in the lyrics to drive my point home and paint a picture of what it’s like to hit rock bottom. “Its time I faced these demons/Its time I rebuild from inside”
How pumped are you for the release of Six?
Its difficult to properly convey my excitement because its been such a rollercoaster, and its been so damn long. We had a moderately successful release back in 2014, a decent touring schedule, then we went totally quiet. Played festivals and overseas tours here and there. We were barely breathing. All while raising families and working normal jobs. I started quietly writing Six and showed the songs to Chad and Rise Records. Everyone was stoked but no one knew when we could do anything about it. We went into the studio and laid down the tracks, took a few months off and went back, then took more time off and went back. Putting together the album was a lengthy process because we didn’t have a solid deadline. A few years later, here we are with an album we all completely love.
What is your favourite track from the upcoming album?
Right now, I am loving Unstoppable. It’s a bit of an homage to bands like Thrice as the dynamics between verses and choruses are starkly different. I love the melodies, the bridge, everything. It’s not one of our really heavy tracks but you can still see a glimmer of old FTFD in there. Just a cool track that I think people will really enjoy.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
The Beatles. I was raised on classic rock by my dad and he is a huge Beatles fan. Their early work is cool, but I totally fell in love with everything they did from Rubber Soul and onward. Basically when they all started doing copious amounts of drugs. The albums they made were no longer for the 15 year old girls that brought them to superstardom, they were making real music with better song-writing, complex instrumentation, and hooks that would usher in another new era of rock music. Its a shame we only have two of them left, because if given the chance, I would get in the studio with them in a heartbeat. I have always wanted to cover the Beatles.
Are you looking forward your album release show in your hometown Detroit on 16th February?
Its bittersweet. After taking so much time off, you wonder if your band can still draw, even in the hometown. But on the other hand, I am very excited to showcase the new tracks and play some good ol oldies for the longtime fans. We have a solid lineup of locals and tons of friends will be out and about. Fingers crossed!
Will you be touring at all for the release of this album?
Starting back up after a hiatus is much more difficult than we had anticipated. The industry knows us but we didn’t release anything for so long so certain people were weary of putting us on tours. Then we dropped STONE and turned some heads. Unfortunately some of our touring plans fell through so we are focusing on hitting it hard from spring 2018 and onward.
What was the first gig you all attended?
First real concert was Korn with Staind in 1997. As far as hardcore/metalcore, I went to Cornerstone 2003 and caught sets by Figure Four, Zao, Living Sacrifice, Norma Jean, etc. My world was flipped upside down and everything changed after that.
What’s the alternative scene like in Detroit at the moment?
That’s the thing. I have absolutely no idea! I moved to Grand Rapids 3 years ago and raising a child isn’t a great way to stay in touch with the local scenes. I know the GR scene is popping with bands like Sleep Waker and Hollow Front, but I don’t really know how Detroit is doing. Hopefully it rips. I know St Andrews has tons of sold out shows in all genres, I trust Detroit has stayed golden.
How have the guys at Rise Records helped you be the band you are today?
Rise is the reason we are even a thing. They signed us in 2007 and keep releasing music for us. We are super grateful because there are other bands out there who have outsold us our outdrew us, but they still put up the money for us to produce albums so we are pretty stoked. They believe in us for the longterm. There are bands who had their entire existence in the time it took us to write one album. The span of our career is a testament to our longterm value. We’re still here.
What do you guys get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
I can only really speak for myself for this one. I spend a lot of time in the gym, working on music, and running an e-commerce store. Keeps me busy and keeps me driven. I also enjoy shooting (I’m kind of a gun nut) and partying with band friends who come through town. That’s really the only time I go out.