From Autumn To Ashes is a new band with a big buzz. FATA is a metalcore group from Long Island, New York. They've been together for three years and their first CD, an indie release with limited distribution, sold over 50,000 copies. The group is poised to hit it big. They've been on the Warped Tour over the summer, gaining more fans, and their latest CD, The Fiction We Live, has just been released on Vagrant Records. Their song "The After Dinner Payback" also appears on the soundtrack of the movie Freddy vs. Jason along with bands such as Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Ill Nino, Killswitch Engage, Slipknot, Sevendust, In Flames and Murderdolls. I recently spoke with From Autumn To Ashes' drummer and vocalist Fran Mark.
Chad Bowar: How would you describe From Autumn To Ashes to someone who isn't familiar with the band?
Fran Marks: We're all about doing something different and pushing the boundaries. Basically there are a lot of different influences. There is some of the heaviest stuff that you'll come across and it goes all the way across the spectrum to drum loops and female vocals and everything in between.
What does the album title The Fiction We Live signify?
It's autobiographical. I feel like the fact that we get to do this for a living, travel around and play shows, and get paid for it, it's almost like fiction, too good to be true.
How did the band get together?
A couple of us went to high school together. Going to hardcore shows growing up in Long Island it was a pretty tight community. Everybody knew each other. We would see each other at shows.
As a drummer, who influenced your style of playing?
Definitely Stewart Copeland of the Police. I always thought he had a really good style. Neil Pearl from Rush, John Bonham, Keith Moon. When I was young, I was really into a lot of rock from the 60s and 70s.
The band has been getting a lot of buzz for this release. Do attribute it to being on the Warped Tour, your existing fan base, or some other reason?
We tour a lot. Our first record, even though it was a small independent release without too much backing, sold over 60,000 copies. That's our foundation. That built our fan base. Signing to Vagrant definitely helped get a good buzz. They are good at pumping up bands and promotion. The Warped Tour helped, other tours helped. We were fortunate to tour with a lot of big bands like Thursday, Finch, Taking Back Sunday, all the biggest up and coming bands. We have good friendships with them and have had great tours with them.
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