Released 16th March 2009
Growing up is never easy, but when you’re in a band it often seems impossible. Make the same record twice and you’re chastised for being repetitive, but if you make too large of a sonic shift your fan base will desert you. Luckily Naples, Florida’s Fake Problems have never had to deal with this dilemma because with each release they’ve not only organically reinvented their sound, they’ve also successfully redefined who they are as musicians and human beings in the process. The culmination of this is the band’s SideOneDummy debut It’s Great To Be Alive, which shows Fake Problems’ unique brand of indie rock shaking off the insecurity and soul-searching of adolescence and sees the band embracing a sense of perspective that can only be gained by spending countless months on the road touring, laughing and writing music they believe in.
From the sinister shuffle of ‘You’re A Serpent, You’re a She-Snake’ to orchestral ballads like ‘Tabernacle Song’ and intricately layered anthems like ‘There Are Times,’ It’s Great To Be Alive is less of a traditional album and more of a sonic journey that refuses to be limited by genre constraints. “We're making plans to start playing shows with a horn section and a touring cellist,” vocalist Chris Farren explains when asked how the band plans on recreating these songs live. “I love the dynamic and differences between a simple rock and roll set as well as a full orchestral production.” Lyrically, It’s Great To Be Alive’s parallels the musical progression the band have achieved with this collection of songs as well. “The last record was about being afraid to die, so this one deals with appreciating life and examining who you are and who you want to become,” Farren explains. However, despite the positive nature of the album, songs like ‘Level With The Devil’ have a sinister edge to them. “You can't make a decision without exploring all of the goods and all of the evils; I'd say a lot of the lyrics deal with exploring the evils in my life and facing them,” Farren continues. “I don't believe you can really appreciate life until you are the person you want to be, doing what you want to do with confidence.”
Ultimately, with It’s Great To Be Alive Fake Problems themselves don’t know quite where they fit in, but they’re confident enough in themselves to know that’s a blessing rather than a curse. “It's art, it shouldn't be about what cool club you fit in with,” Farren summarizes. “If our music is going to be appreciated, I'd like it to be because of our songs.”
Fake Problems support Frank Turner in October on the following dates:
14 Belfast Stiff Kitten Club
15 Glasgow QMU
16 Manchester Academy 2
17 Newcastle Uni
18 Nottingham Rock City
19 Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
20 Oxford Academy
22 Leeds Met University
23 Cambridge Junction
24 Plymouth University
25 Exeter Lemon Grove
26 Bristol Anson Rooms
27 Cardiff University
28 Winchester Guildhall
29 London Shepherd’s Bush
www.fakeproblems.com | www.myspace.com/fakeproblems
From the sinister shuffle of ‘You’re A Serpent, You’re a She-Snake’ to orchestral ballads like ‘Tabernacle Song’ and intricately layered anthems like ‘There Are Times,’ It’s Great To Be Alive is less of a traditional album and more of a sonic journey that refuses to be limited by genre constraints. “We're making plans to start playing shows with a horn section and a touring cellist,” vocalist Chris Farren explains when asked how the band plans on recreating these songs live. “I love the dynamic and differences between a simple rock and roll set as well as a full orchestral production.” Lyrically, It’s Great To Be Alive’s parallels the musical progression the band have achieved with this collection of songs as well. “The last record was about being afraid to die, so this one deals with appreciating life and examining who you are and who you want to become,” Farren explains. However, despite the positive nature of the album, songs like ‘Level With The Devil’ have a sinister edge to them. “You can't make a decision without exploring all of the goods and all of the evils; I'd say a lot of the lyrics deal with exploring the evils in my life and facing them,” Farren continues. “I don't believe you can really appreciate life until you are the person you want to be, doing what you want to do with confidence.”
Ultimately, with It’s Great To Be Alive Fake Problems themselves don’t know quite where they fit in, but they’re confident enough in themselves to know that’s a blessing rather than a curse. “It's art, it shouldn't be about what cool club you fit in with,” Farren summarizes. “If our music is going to be appreciated, I'd like it to be because of our songs.”
Fake Problems support Frank Turner in October on the following dates:
14 Belfast Stiff Kitten Club
15 Glasgow QMU
16 Manchester Academy 2
17 Newcastle Uni
18 Nottingham Rock City
19 Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
20 Oxford Academy
22 Leeds Met University
23 Cambridge Junction
24 Plymouth University
25 Exeter Lemon Grove
26 Bristol Anson Rooms
27 Cardiff University
28 Winchester Guildhall
29 London Shepherd’s Bush
www.fakeproblems.com | www.myspace.com/fakeproblems
“Can’t fault it.” – Rock Sound (9 / 10)
“The quirky indie punk combo are about to spring into the limelight” – Big Cheese
“It’s big-hearted, street-smart indie-rock” – Kerrang! KKKK
