THE FALLEN STATE – AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND
With incoming front man Adam Methven taking the helm, British hard rock outfit The Fallen State finds itself entering an exciting new era. I talk to Adam and bassist Greg Butler about the changing dynamic of the band and discuss their immediate plans and long term goals. We may be in the midst of a global pandemic, but a stunning new single and a sophomore album in the making ensure that The Fallen State will continue to rise and thrive.
ANNE: Firstly, congrats on joining The Fallen State, Adam! Tell us a bit about what you were doing before you joined and how this all came about?
ADAM: Thank you! Well, before I joined The Fallen State, I had been busy planning future endeavors for my band, The Addiction. We had quite a lot planned and had made big strides in the little over a year we had together. I actually first met the guys when my old band, The Lost Boys, opened for them back in 2018. We had been in touch every now and then since then, usually me asking if my band could support The Fallen State on their upcoming tours. So when I got the phone call, I thought it was finally going to be the offer of tour support. Now I’m the lead singer!
ANNE: What do you feel you’ll bring to the band in terms of musical influence, style and direction?
ADAM: It’s always interesting when you get a bunch of people together. The melting pot of influences gets mixed up and that’s how you get these songs, sounds and ideas that have never been done before. My background comes mostly from classic rock, but I’m influenced by all kinds of bands, from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Motley Crüe, to Trivium, Bring Me The Horizon and Queen. It’s really exciting to see what happens when you have a group of people who all like different things and we’re seeing the results of that with what we’ve done so far.
ANNE: What were the reasons for Ben Stenning leaving and how long have you known that you would be taking his place?
ADAM: From what I know, Ben just didn’t want to continue with music anymore. I think he felt he couldn’t give it the 100% you absolutely need to give when you are in a band. We’ve spoken a few times since I joined the band and he’s wished me and the guys the best of luck with it all – it’s great to know there’s absolutely no bad blood between anybody.
I’ve been involved with The Fallen State since around May 2020, but it wasn’t until a little later in the year when we could get together and hammer out some songs that we knew that I was going to be a permanent fixture.
ANNE: You released the new single, “Knives” at the same time as making the announcement that Adam had joined the band. Can you tell us about the meaning behind the song and how you managed to record and film the music video during lockdown?
[ADAM]: “Knives” to me is a song about whatever you’re faced with, no matter what is thrown at you; bring it on, we’re ready for anything that can be thrown at us. I feel that resonates for almost everybody over the last year or so.
[GREG]: “Knives” I would consider some sort of ‘battle’ song’. It’s saying, “Come on, throw what you want at us, you can’t keep us down”, and I think from a certain perspective that’s a message all of us wanted to put across.
As far as recording the song, we have been using as much of the eased lockdown periods as possible and also utilizing modern technology. The video wasn’t easy to do under Covid restrictions but we managed to pull it off, for example, we usually use actors in our videos but restrictions wouldn’t allow it this time so we really had to trust the filmmakers’ vision.
ANNE: What can you tell us about your next single?
[ADAM]: It’s gonna be big!
[Greg]: Ah, now that would be spoiling the surprise, but what I can say, stay tuned as it could come at any moment!
ANNE: How much are you looking forward to playing live together and where and when do you expect your first gig with your new front man to take place?
[ADAM]: I literally can’t wait. It’s going to be an absolute celebration of not just The Fallen State and a new era with a new singer, but of everyone finally getting together with their friends and family and losing themselves in live music after what feels like an eternity at this stage.
[GREG]: Well, I don’t think there’s a single musician in the world who isn’t absolutely gagging to be back on that stage. I’d like to think it would be as soon as possible but as we have seen over the last year or so, no one can really tell what’s going to happen from one day to the next, never mind months ahead. We are definitely looking forward to being able to play some shows with Adam though, partly because of the new dynamic that he will offer us live, and the fact we are just excited in general to see how the new look The Fallen State will be in live arenas!
ANNE: What are your plans for the rest of 2021?
[ADAM]: We’ve got an album to finish recording! Then lets see what we are allowed to do.
[GREG]: As I said, no one really knows what’s going to happen and what we can and can’t do in 2021. The key for us is trying not to be too much a slave to the situation and making sure we can keep releasing music and staying in touch with our fans. I would say to expect lots of music coming out and hopefully, just hopefully, a live show or two.
ANNE: What is the ultimate goal as a band?
[GREG]: To be genuine. I mean that in the respect of being good people, a good band and writing songs that reflect us. Staying in touch with our fans is important too – without them we are nothing. It’s really important to know what they want and how they feel, good or bad. Ultimately that’s what’s going to allow you to succeed as a band.
[ADAM]: Exactly what Greg said. That and to play massive shows all over the world.
ANNE: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
[GREG]: Work hard and don’t give up. Quite a few years ago I was told by a manager of one of my favorite bands that, “Good music always prevails”. I wasn’t sure what it meant at the time but years later I “got it”. You can’t fake it, and if you really believe in what you do, you just keep on going.
The basis of the music industry is being rejected, by everyone! The fans, the suits, the media, everyone has an opinion, but you have to keep going and if you do, a door can open and that can often lead to places where you had never ever imagined you would be.
[ADAM]: I truly believe that if you want something bad enough, work hard, don’t let anyone get you down, keep going, keep believing and one day you’ll get it. People give up too easily and blame other things for why it didn’t work out. Take responsibility and be your own success story.
ANNE: In light of the recent allegations against Marilyn Manson, what are your thoughts on whether you would still listen to his music if they were proven to be true, or indeed any other artist facing similar accusations or charges? Can you ever really separate the man from the music, in cases such as these?
[ADAM]: This is such a tricky situation. I am a huge fan of Marilyn Manson’s music – I have been for many years. But I do not condone abuse in any shape or form. Having been the victim of physical and mental abuse in relationships, I can absolutely sympathize with anyone that is affected. If these accusations are true, then he deserves everything that he has coming to him. I don’t believe however that the music that has been entertaining millions for decades is necessarily a true reflection of his personal sexual relationships. I think I can continue listening without giving much thought to who the man is, like many who still love Lostprophets.
[GREG]: This is a tough question to answer, especially when in Marilyn Manson’s case, there are a lot of accusations and comments on the situation coming from many places. I guess anyone in such a high position in society has a responsibility , and in most cases, that responsibility includes their “art”, which in my opinion should also reflect them as a person, band or artist. If proven guilty, then for me, it would be hard to separate it regardless of how the music has inspired or affected me personally.
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