| The Story of False Pretence |
A combination of gutsy guitar and clean vocal hamonies, paired with a steady bass and solid drums. What more can you really ask for in a band?
Hailing from the U.K, False Pretence possesses a sound that easily appeals to everyone. And they, like thousands of others, are waiting for that big break.
'One big break' is not a cliche, usually that's all you need. But as anyone in the music industry can tell you, there a lot of barriers.
Maybe a record company signed a band like this and they didn't do well. Maybe they recently signed a band that sounds too similar. Is it the band's fault? Nope.
But any way you put it, False Pretence has the potential to be successful. Someday you could hear 'Singing the same old songs' on the radio in Toronto. Or some poor American kid will spell pretense with a 'c' on a spelling test.
But until that time, all we can do is say that we discovered them first. Here's what they had to say themselves in an interview:
(For clarification, AdS refers to Adam Wilden, the singer, and AdG refers to Adam Wain, the guitarist).
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1. How did you come up with the name 'False Pretence'?
Nothing too special with this one unfortunately – a name is something we needed as an identity so we looked for inspiration in book titles and films to form a list. We don't quite know where False Pretence came from exactly, but it was the only one left after we removed all those each of us had a problem with!
2. Where does your inspiration for lyrics and overall song writing come from?
AdS: I always write about how I feel at the time, mostly lying in bed at night when I get time to reflect on life and the world around. AdG usually gives me plenty of material to choose from so I get the song with the feeling I need and go from there. I’m not the most upbeat lyricist but I’ve always said “If I’m happy, I’ll tell the world out loud. But when something goes wrong I feel song writing is the way for me to let that out.” Things are changing though and I’m learning to express my joy though music too, after all I’m generally a happy person...
AdG: I have to be honest, I am self taught and don’t know music theory, I couldn’t tell you what notes I am playing in any given song but if it sounds right, and feels right then I record it on my laptop and then build the rest of the song around the initial idea. I show my ideas to the rest of the guys, and let them work their magic!
Chris and Ryan: We just turn up after listening to AdG’s recording, and just literally go with the flow and do our thing, adding tweaks here and there. Seems to work, so why change!
3. How did you guys all meet (and decide to form the band)?
It happened mainly through college – AdG, Ryan and Chris had to perform as a band as part of an assignment. We played together for quite a while, getting through a singer and a keyboardist. It kinda fell apart for a few months after the singer that was assigned to us just didn’t show, so we decided to advertise for a new singer. AdS was the only dedicated respondee from quite a selection. Soon after, the keyboardist left us on good terms, and here we are as we are today.
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4. What does 'making it' mean to you and how close have you come to it?
Unanimous - Quite simply to make music for a living. And gig. Stadiums and arena tours would be sweet, but just to make music full time would be a dream.
As of yet, we still all have day jobs, but we’re workin’ on it. We know we are a long way off, but it’s amazing to have such supportive fans from all over!
5. Can you describe the most memorable show you've performed?
AdS: Toss-up between two, M-Club (Crewe) or The SugarMill (Stoke-on-Trent). The Mill was great for the crowd, there’s nothing like getting people in the mood for a good night. I’m always amazed at the noise you can get out of people when you get them going! M-Club was just so much more relaxed and fun to piss about on stage, jumping around with Ryan. Bigger stages = FUN. It was the best for sound too, when you can hear what you’re doing and its sounds good then you feel good so I guess that had its part to play too. But yeah both had great supporters and without them it sucks hard.
AdG: For me it has to be the SugarMill show, it was such a big deal for us to get a slot at this venue and the build up to the night was incredible! For the first time I felt 100% confident that we could give the crowd a great show, and the crowd reaction was awesome! ...plus certain members of the band got some much appreciated attention from the local girls!
Ryan: M-Club. I just felt the crowd enjoyed our set, as whenever I looked up they had massive smiles or just head-bobbin, which I feed off – thus it’s the first gig I’ve properly pogo-ed at and just relaxed to the point where everything just happened naturally – I didn’t think about playing my bass, I just wanted to have a good time. I’m just glad I hit all the right notes in the chaos!
Chris: mine was definitely the SugarMill. I’ve been to see tons of signed bands there in the past, and the chance to play there was amazing. Plus we didn’t have to ask them if we could play there or send a demo; they asked us after hearing our MySpace.
6. Who has influenced your style the most?
AdS: Staind, Incubus, 3 Doors Down, Limp Bizkit
AdG: Papa Roach, 3 Doors Down, Dead By April, Metallica, In Flames, Paramore - I like music to be powerful, and great vocal melodies!
Ryan: Muse, Metallica, Green Day, Goldfinger
Chris: Paramore, Papa Roach, Blink 182, oasis, my chemical romance, plus loads more!
7. Where do you see your band 3 years from now?
Of course we would love to be signed, and touring our music. I guess that depends on how much people like our music!
If all else fails still right where we are now having a laugh as a bunch of mates!
http://www.myspace.com/falsepretence
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