Describing themselves as Emo-Rock-Hardcore, Welsh quintet FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND rapidly built up a reputation as a band to watch. The group sprang from the prior unit JANUARY THIRST. When this act splintered in December of 2001 members vocalist Matthew Evans and drummer Johnny Phillips invited second singer Matt Davies onboard. As 2002 dawned the band parted ways with second guitarist Kerry Roberts, his replacement being ex-TRIPCAGE man Darren Smith.

Signing to Mighty Atom Records the band released their debut EP 'Between Order And Model' in August 2002. Promoting a second EP, 'Four Ways To Scream Your Name' released in October the band put in extensive UK club dates with guests MILLION DEAD and HONDO MACLEAN.

Headline touring throughout the Summer 2003 saw THE BLUEPRINT and THE BEAUTIFUL MISTAKE as openers. A major coup would be scored in September when FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND was announced as tour support for IRON MAIDEN's UK dates. This connection was continued into early May of 2004 when IRON MAIDEN singer BRUCE DICKINSON providing some noteable sounds on his BBC radio 'Rock Show' programme by guesting on a cover of BLACK SABBATH's 'Black Sabbath' with FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND.

An American release for 'Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation' was set for July 13th 2004, the band undertaking a headline tour backed by COHEED AND CAMBRIA throughout March and April. Stepping up their profile on the US touring front the band then joined the ranks of the LINKIN PARK and KORN headed 'Projekt Revolution' arena tour. In November the group partnered with TAKING BACK SUNDAY, ATREYU, THE VARSITY and LIKE YESTERDAY for a further round of US dates.

In early 2005 Matt Davies contributed to the 'No End In Sight' album from THIS IS MENACE, a collaborative project of PITCHSHIFTER members bassist Mark Clayden and drummer Jason Bowld. Two productive months under the veteran production expertise of Terry Date, largely known for his relationship with Metal bands such as Texan quartet PANTERA, were spent in the Grunge capital of Seattle, Washington. Significant recording locations for this second album included both the Bad Animals studio, owned by HEART's the Wilson sisters, and PEARL JAM's own, personally-built studio. 'Hours' arrived in June, and sold over 8,000 copies in its first week of US sales to land at no. 139 on the Billboard charts. Various formats of the August single 'Monsters' added cover versions of U2's 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', THE RUTS 'Bablyon's Burning' and THIN LIZZY's 'Boys Are Back In Town'. In October the band partnered with a heavyweight package involving THE USED, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, RISE AGAINST and STORY OF THE YEAR for gigs across Australia. Gigs planned with support from A STATIC LULLABY, HOPESFALL and LOVEHATEHERO across the USA in December were pulled when drummer Ryan Richards was hospitalised with a stomach infection.

Throughout February and into April 2006 the band joined the 'Taste Of Chaos' US and Canadian festival tour alongside a mammoth billing comprising DEFTONES, ATREYU, AS I LAY DYING, STORY OF THE YEAR, DREDG, SILVERSTEIN, THRICE, PELICAN, , THE RECEIVING END OF SIRENS, THE CONFESSION, ADAIR, STREET DRUM CORPS, GREELEY ESTATES, MILLIONAIRE and THE SMASHUP.

The band played their part in honouring METALLICA, contributing their rendition of 'Damage Inc.' to the album 'Remastered', this set being a complete remake of 'Master Of Puppets' in joint celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the classic album's release and the 25th anniversary of UK Rock magazine Kerrang! In April 2006. 'The Full Ponty', an inaugural festival held at Ynysangharad Park in the Welsh ex-mining town of Pontypridd on the 27th and 28th of May, hosted a diverse variety of contemporary artists. FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND assumed the headlining slot for the closing day, BIFFY CLYRO, FIGHTSTAR, BRING ME THE HORIZON, THE BLACKOUT, PANEL and DAYS IN DECEMBER kickstarting activities that Sunday. The band put in a significant appearance at the TOOL and DEFTONES headlined 'Download' festival in Castle Donington, UK on June 9th.

The band joined the ranks of the roving 'Vans Warped' US touring festival throughout July and August 2007.