Sometimes the perils of being in a popular alt-rock band comes with its share of misfortune. For Illinois rock group REAL FRIENDS, falling victim to a homicidal maniac is one such fate. Premiering today on FLOOD Magazine, their new video for “Me First” from their third studio album Composure, depicts just that. “Have you ever wanted to see our heads cut off,” asks bassist Kyle Fasel. “Well, look no further.”
“Me First,” the gutsy and intense opening track from their critically-acclaimed album, instills a sense of confidence that flows throughout the whole record. Music Connection says the single “oozes furious poetry” while Punktastic calls it an “anaconda-sized earworm.” The striking accompanying video matches the song’s audacity with its cheeky horror and comic book-styled violence. “We went with a more light hearted and cinematic approach than in our past videos,” he explains. “Me First” finds the band trapped in a mansion being stalked by a knife/broken bottle/cat o’nine tails-wielding murderess who ultimately dispatches them one at a time and serves them up on a silver platter.
Their most ambition work to date, Composure has racked up some of the best reviews the band has ever received. Forbes says that the album “proves that the bravest thing an artist can be in 2018 is unflinchingly honest, with themselves and with their audience,” while Alternative Press calls it their “best work yet.” SF Sonic captures the spirit of the record by pointing out that with their “clean production, catchy songs, and poetic lyrics, Real Friends have turned out one of the best releases of the year, a vital collection for anyone who likes their rock upfront and confrontational.”
The 10 tracks on this album have challenged the band as musicians and friends. From nailing down the best pop hooks with producer Mike Green (The Aces, All Time Low, The Mowgli’s, Paramore) that showcase the band’s progression from a pop-punk band to full-fledged pop-rock juggernaut, to touching on topics in their songwriting such as mental health, being accepted, and above all, learning to love yourself.
Composure is out now on Fearless Records. Real Friends is Kyle Fasel (bass), Dave Knox (guitar), Dan Lambton (frontman), Brian Blake (drums), and Eric Haines (guitar).
Tour Dates with Boston Manor
Oct 30 San Diego, CA Irenic
Oct 31 Mesa, AZ Nile Theatre
Nov 2 Dallas, TX Gas Monkey
Nov 3 Austin, TX Mohawk
Nov 4 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall
Nov 6 Atlanta, GA Masquerade Hall
Nov 7 Orlando, FL The Abbey
Nov 8 Orlando, FL The Abbey
Nov 9 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
Nov 10 Richmond, VA Canal Club
Nov 11 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Soundstage
Nov 13 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
Nov 14 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
Nov 15 Boston, MA Royale
Nov 16 Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Lanes
Nov 17 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom
Nov 18 New York City, NY Irving Plaza
Nov 20 Toronto, ON Opera House
Nov 21 Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theatre
Nov 23 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
Nov 24 Detroit, MI Saint Andrews Hall
Nov 25 Chicago, IL House Of Blues