Before forming Escape the Fate, vocalist Ronnie Radke, bassist Max Green, drummer Robert Ortiz, lead guitarist Bryan Monte Money, and rhythm guitarist Omar Espinosa were in multiple bands together.
In September 2005, Escape the Fate had won a local radio contest judged by My Chemical Romance. The gig awarded them the opportunity to open a show on the band's headlining tour with Alkaline Trio and Reggie and the Full Effect, which subsequently led to Escape the Fate's record deal with Epitaph.
On May 23, 2006, the band released their debut EP titled There's No Sympathy for the Dead. The EP included two songs that were later on their full-length album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion. The EP was produced by Michael Baskette and helped earn the band attention from record labels and fans alike. After the EP's release, keyboardist Carson Allen left the band to join On the Last Day.
On September 26, 2006, the band released their first full-length album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion.
In 2007, during the Black on Black tour, rhythm guitarist Omar Espinosa left the band due to personal issues.
Ronnie Radke was asked to leave the band after he was sentenced to prison in June 2008 for multiple run-ins with the law involving narcotics and battery for a fight that led up to the death of Michael Cook. As stated by Max Green, "First we couldn't tour out of the country, then out of the state."
After the departure of Radke, former Blessthefall vocalist Craig Mabbitt joined the band, first as a temporary replacement, and then as a permanent member.
This War Is Ours was released on October 21, 2008. It included the singles "The Flood", "Something", "10 Miles Wide", and "This War Is Ours (The Guillotine II)". It was the first Escape the Fate album featuring Craig Mabbitt as the vocalist.
Escape the Fate announced via a MySpace bulletin that they would film a video for "This War Is Ours (The Guillotine II)" on January 9, 2010. It was filmed at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana, California.
On February 15, 2010, Epitaph Records announced the re-release of the This War Is Ours album in deluxe CD/DVD edition. The CD includes two new never before heard songs, later identified to be "Bad Blood" and "Behind the Mask", an acoustic version of "Harder Than You Know", and an unreleased remix of "This War Is Ours (The Guillotine II)" called "This War Is Mine", remixed by the Shawn Crahan. It also came with a DVD that featured the new music video to "This War Is Ours (The Guillotine II)", as well as "Something", "The Flood", and "10 Miles Wide". It also comes with a world tour documentary and a behind the music feature. It was released on April 27, 2010.
In an interview during Warped Tour 2009, Max Green stated that the album will feature a song co-written by Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe, who approached Escape the Fate to collaborate on some songs but later was revealed that they decided against putting the song on the album and saving for a future release.
Starting July 24, 2010, they set off on tour for South and Central America, the country's toured are Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Colombia and Venezuela.
On July 26, 2010, Escape the Fate announced via MySpace some new updates on the album. They officially said that the new record will be released through a major record label, DGC/Interscope, and produced by Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Bullet For My Valentine, Hollywood Undead). Its release was set for November 2nd, 2010. Max Green commented on it, saying, "This record is the cure for the modern-day music epidemic, We are wiping the slate clean and re-writing rock music as you know it.” Escape The Fate was set to take on a United States, Canada, and Europe tour before the release of the album, with Bullet For My Valentine, Drive A and Black Tide but later forfeited their spot due to Max Green admitting to rehab.
On August 31, 2010, the band released the album's first single, "Massacre." Their second single, and first official one to be released to radio stations, "Issues", from the self-titled album, Escape the Fate, leaked via KROQ Radio on the 9th of September, and later officially released the single, "Issues", on September 15, 2010. The music video of "Issues", premiered on September 28 on Youtube. December 21, the next single released was "City of Sin" with a music video for it on Youtube.
On January 11, 2011, the band performed live in "Tues Show" (Fuel. tv) the song "Issues" and "Gorgeous Nightmare" with the special collaboration of Kevin Thrasher (of Lovehatehero). On June 15, 2011, the band released a music video for their next single off the self-titled album, "Gorgeous Nightmare". The video was directed by Robby Starbuck, who has previously worked with Asking Alexandria and Silverstein. On August 19, 2011, the band announced via Facebook that Monte Money would be taking a break from touring but will still be in the band. Kevin Thrasher, who has worked with the band in the past, will be substituting for Monte. It was also announced that Max Green returned to the band after making a breakthrough in the first half of 2011 to recover from his addiction to drugs through rehab. “I’m feeling great and am glad to be back with my band. Escape The Fate is my life. This is where I belong.”, Max Green said. After they played a couple of shows at the 2011 Uproar Festival, Max, again, left the band and Zakk Sandler, from Black Tide (who was also playing Uproar), filled in for him.
Tj Bell, currently bassist of getting Scared once again filled in for bassist Max Green on the bands UK tour with Funeral For A Friend, who had previously filled in for Green on their tour with Papa Roach.
In mid-December 2011, the band re-entered the studio to work on the production of their fourth album. The album will be produced by John Feldmann and is scheduled for release sometime in 2012. It is currently unknown if Max Green has returned to the band to play bass on the upcoming album or if the band hired a new bassist. However, there is much speculation as to former Motionless In White rhythm guitarist and current Get Scared bassist TJ Bell will be taking over on bass due to the band tweeting pictures of him recording in the studio, plus his recent touring history with the band filling in for Max Green.
On December 27, Craig Mabbitt posted on his official Facebook page that he will be recording music for his new side-project all through January 2012 and recording for Escape the Fate all through February. He commented that since they are recording with John Feldmann again, who they worked with on their second album, This War Is Ours, the style of the upcoming album will be similar to This War Is Ours but will also have elements of their self-titled album added in. He teased a big upcoming announcement as well.
Current members:
Robert Ortiz - drums, percussion, backing vocals (2004–present)
Craig Mabbitt - lead vocals (2008–present)
Thomas "TJ" Bell - rhythm guitar (2013-present), bass guitar (2012-2013), (touring 2011-2012)
Kevin "Thrasher" Gruft - lead guitar (2013–present), (touring 2011)
Erik Jensen – bass guitar, backing vocals (touring 2017–present)
Former members:
Carson Allen - keyboards, synthesizers, vocals (2005–2006)
Omar Espinosa - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2004–2007)
Ronnie Radke - lead vocals (2004–2008)
Bryan "Monte" Money - lead guitar, backing vocals (2004-2013)
Michael Money - rhythm guitar (2012–2013), (touring 2008-2012)
Max Green - bass guitar, backing vocals (2004-2012, 2013–2014)
Former touring members:
Zakk Sandler – bass guitar, backing vocals (2011)
Davey Richmond – bass guitar (2014)
Alex Torres – bass guitar (2014; 2015)
Tyler Burgess – bass guitar (2015)
Max Georgiev – bass guitar, backing vocals (2015–2017)
Discography:
1. Escape The Fate (EP) (2005)
2. There's No Sympathy For The Dead (May 13, 2006)
3. Dying Is Your Latest Fashion (September 26, 2006)
4. This War Is Ours (October 21, 2008)
5. Escape The Fate (November 2, 2010)
6. Ungrateful (May 14, 2013)
7. Hate Me (October 30, 2015)
8. I Am Human (March 30, 2018)
Friends and Alibis
Escape The Fate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, it is true
I finally fell in love
I fell so hard that I'm killing myself
Yes, I need out
Out of this grave that I've dug
And all the friends that I have gone through
It's a shame
So hold your head
Hold it up high
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Keep this close by your side
When I come home we will have our night
Oh, they always told me I was gorgeous in a way
And that fateful day
I found who I was
So fill this hole with my prescriptions
I just keep feeding my addictions
And all the friends that I have gone through
And how much I deserve the pain
It's a shame
So hold your head
Hold it up high
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Keep this close by your side
When I come home we will have our night
We will have our night
You were the ones that stood by my side, whoa
And I was the one that fought all of your fights
Go!
(Hold your head, hold it up high) Whoa
(Keep this close by your side) Whoa
So hold your head
Hold it high
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Keep this close by your side
When I come home we will have our night
Hold your head
Hold it up high
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Keep this close by your side
When I come home we will have our night
Hold your head
Hold it up high
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Keep this close by your side
When I come home we will have our night
We will have our night
The lyrics to Escape the Fate's "Friends And Alibis" are a reflection of the lead singer's emotional turmoil as he falls deeply in love and struggles with addiction. The opening lines set a melancholic tone as the singer laments being the bearer of bad news about his situation. He confesses that he has fallen in love so hard that it is killing him and he needs to escape it. He feels like he's dug himself into a grave and needs to get out.
He then reflects on the friends he has gone through and how much pain he believes he deserves. He acknowledges the shame in his situation and encourages his comrades to hold their heads high and to cherish the memories of the times when they were each other's alibis. When he finally returns home, they will "have our night" - a night to remember the memories of the past and celebrate the future.
In the second half of the song, the lead singer reflects on how people have always told him he was gorgeous, and how he recently found out who he was. He feeds his addiction and seeks solace through prescriptions. He acknowledges his friends' support, affirming that they stood by his side during his struggles, just as he fought their fights.
Overall, "Friends And Alibis" speaks to the pain of addiction and the need for friendships that serve as a refuge from the hardships that life can throw at us.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I hate to be the one to bear the bad news
I am feeling deep sorrow because I have to reveal some unpleasant information
Yes, it is true
The news that I am about to convey is indeed correct
I finally fell in love
I have finally found love
I fell so hard that I'm killing myself
My strong feelings of love are making it difficult for me to cope
Yes, I need out
I need to escape from this situation
Out of this grave that I've dug
I need to get out of this difficult situation that I created for myself
And all the friends that I have gone through
I have had many acquaintances in the past
And how much I deserve the pain
I feel like I am deserving of the suffering that I am going through
It's a shame
It's unfortunate that things turned out this way
So hold your head
Keep your composure
Hold it up high
Remain dignified
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Let's raise a glass to the friends who helped me out in a difficult situation
Keep this close by your side
Remember to keep this memory with you
When I come home we will have our night
We will have a celebration when I return home
Oh, they always told me I was gorgeous in a way
People frequently complimented me on my appearance
And that fateful day
On that important day
I found who I was
I discovered my true identity
So fill this hole with my prescriptions
I am using medication to fill a void
I just keep feeding my addictions
I am struggling with addiction and cannot stop it
You were the ones that stood by my side, whoa
You were the people who supported me throughout my difficulties
And I was the one that fought all of your fights
I was always there to help you through your struggles
(Hold your head, hold it up high) Whoa
(Keep this close by your side) Whoa
When I come home we will have our night
We will have a celebration when I return home
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Let's raise a glass to the friends who helped me out in a difficult situation
We will have our night
We will have a celebration when I return home
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRIAN MONEY, MAX GREEN, MICHAEL ELVIS BASKETTE, OMAR ESPINOSA, ROBERT ORTIZ, RONNIE RADKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bobby Wave
Lyrics
Oh, I hate to be the one to bear the bad news
Yes it is true, I finally fell in love
I fell so hard that I'm killing myself
Yes I need out, out of this grave that I've dug
And all the friends that I have gone through
And how much I deserve the pain
It's a shame
So hold your head
Hold it up high
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Keep this close by your side
When I come home we will have our night
Oh, they always told me I was gorgeous in a way
And that fateful day I found who I was
So fill this hole with my prescriptions
I just keep feeding my addictions
And all the friends that I have gone through
And how much I deserve the pain
It's a shame
So hold your head
Hold it up high
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Keep this close by your side
When I come home we will have our night
(We will have our night)
You were the ones that stood by my side, whoa
And I was the one that fought all of your fights
Go!
So hold your head
Hold it high, whoa
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Keep this close by your side
When I come home we will have our night
So hold your head
Hold it high
Here's to the friends that were alibis
Keep this close by your side
When I come home we will have our night
cole martin
Been listening to this album since I was in 6th grade. I’m about to be 27 in may. Crazy how fast time flys and how many friends you lose over the years. Still an absolute banger in 2023 this album will never get old it helped me out my my depression. Made me realize I’m not alone in the ways I feel. Love you Ronnie the band was never the same without you!
the man
and they all said things would get better..
Graham Hancock
Lol loved this band in '06 and '07 at 12 and 13 in 7th and 8th grade, so very similar times. Such a vibe in those days. Unfortunately, I've had the same experience of losing many of the people who loved this music and other stuff I was into at the same time. I went to my buddy's 30th tonight n reunited with some people who lived through those days with me who I don't see that often. We reminisced a lot, but we also cried a lot. Far too many dead. We're all lucky we made it out of those days.
Stephanie Stanger
this album is a freaking masterpiece.
Entirety
True
Lucky-Tomato-
Steph dude this is probably one of my favorite band albums
Ron Frederick
It's not even an album it's an experience of flooding emotion
Tyson Jay Palmer
Steph This comment is no freaking understatement.
PHXNTXM
Nothing is more perfect than Dying Is Your Latest Fashion. 💯
FollowerOfChrist
100 percent agree