Following their 2000 EP Sin, Sorrow and Sadness, their debut full-length album Too Bad You're Beautiful was released on Ferret Records in August 2001. The unique blend of melodic hardcore and innovative vocals executed on this album quickly made the band an underground success.
The bands second album The Fiction We Live, was released in September 2003 and was the first to be released on Vagrant Records. Although the album retained the intricate dual vocal style that earned the group success in the first place, the overall sound became more melodic than its predecessor, featuring a larger focus on Fran Mark's singing presence. Following the albums release, the band made videos for 'The After Dinner Payback' which featured on the 'Freddy vs Jason' soundtrack, and also 'Lilacs and Lolita' and 'Milligram Smile'. The album also marked the final appearances of guitarist Scott Gross and bassist Mike Pilato.
Featuring a new lineup of Benjamin Perri (vocals), Brian Deneeve (guitar, piano, backing vocals) and Francis Mark (drums, vocals) alongside new members Jon Cox (guitar) and Josh Newton (bass, backing vocals), Abandon Your Friends was released on Vagrant in August 2005. Due to problems with vocalist Ben and his contributions to the band, the album featured an increased focus on drummer/vocalist Fran Mark, and an overall lighter approach, marking a slight departure from the traditional FATA sound. The band made a video for 'Where Do You Draw The Line' to promote the release, but the album was not well received.
Vocalist Ben Perri left the band according to a MySpace blog posted on December 5th, 2006. However, the band continued without him, with Fran Mark on full vocal duties. Jon Cox (guitar) also left the band sometime before recording sessions in November 2006, leaving a lineup of Fran Mark (vocals and drums), Brian Deneeve (guitars) and Josh Newton (bass) to record the next album as a three piece. However, for live purposes, Fran chose to front the band. The limited edition EP These Speakers Don't Always Tell The Truth was released as a Hot Topic exclusive on March 13th, 2007, featuring 2 tracks from the brand new album, Holding A Wolf By The Ears, which itself was released on April 10th, 2007 to relatively high critical acclaim.
Ex bassist Mike Pilato returned to the live band replacing Josh Newton following the release of Holding A Wolf By The Ears, performing alongside new members Rob Lauritson and Jeff Gretz on their final tours.
FATA's final line up was;
Francis Mark - Lead Vocals
Brian Deneeve - Guitar & Vocals
Mike Pilato - Bass
Rob Lauritson - Guitar
Jeff Gretz - Drums & Vocals
On June 9th, 2008 the band confirmed they had broken up during promotion for their live CD 'Live at Looney Tunes'.
Francis and Rob are working on a new band called Warship
Brian's new band is called Summer Law
Jeff's doing lots of things.
From Autumn To Ashes sadly split up in 2008.
East Coast Independent artikel about their breakup.
Check out the official page official site or the official MySpace for more info.
Delusions of Grandeur
From Autumn To Ashes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comfort is getting too expensive
Hot shots for the pigeons
With a death sentence
You're something like a pistol
That's been polished bright
But if it never leaves the holster
I need a meaning I can get behind
To be alone is to be alive
A better message to subscribe to
To be alone is to be alive
Set sun, I'm an hour older
Mile markers punctuate the shoulder
Harboring delusions of grandeur
You're something like a canvas
That's been stretched and primed
You can become something priceless
Or you could be a waste of time
I need a meaning, I can get behind
To be alone is to be alive
A better message to subscribe to
To be alone is to be alive
This is the best time to be alone
To be alone is to be alive
Consider where complaining gets you
To be alone is to be alive
We're living much too
We're living much too comfortably for me
Keep drifting, keep drifting aimlessly
Stay with me, stay with me
We'll stay busy, stay busy
Endless trips to anywhere
To end up where we'll be
I need a meaning, I can get behind
To be alone is to be alive
A better message to subscribe too
To be alone is to be alive
This is the best time to be alone
To be alone is to be alive
Consider where complaining gets you
To be alone is to be alive
In "Delusions of Grandeur," From Autumn To Ashes tackle the theme of complacency in life and the need for a greater purpose. The opening lines set the tone for the song, indicating a sense of urgency and the need to stay focused on the task at hand. The band makes use of powerful imagery throughout the song, including the line "hotshots for the pigeons with a death sentence," which suggests a sense of futility in chasing after superficial pleasures in life.
The song's chorus is particularly poignant, urging the listener to embrace solitude as a means of finding a deeper understanding of life. The line "to be alone is to be alive" emphasizes the value in taking time to reflect and seek meaning beyond the distractions of modern life. The song concludes with a sense of restlessness, as the band members seek to break out of their comfort zones and find a more meaningful path forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Pressing on about our business
Continuing with our daily routine
Comfort is getting too expensive
Being comfortable is costing us too much
Hot shots for the pigeons
Unnecessary or expensive things for those who don't appreciate them
With a death sentence
Leading to a bad outcome or result
You're something like a pistol
You have potential to be powerful and effective
That's been polished bright
That has been prepared and made ready
But if it never leaves the holster
But if it's never put to use
It can never save your life
It can never make a difference or have an impact
I need a meaning I can get behind
I need a purpose or reason to believe in
To be alone is to be alive
Being by oneself is important or necessary
A better message to subscribe to
A more positive or uplifting belief to follow
Set sun, I'm an hour older
The day is coming to a close and time is passing
Mile markers punctuate the shoulder
Signs of progress or distance traveled
Harboring delusions of grandeur
Having unrealistic or exaggerated ideas of one's importance or abilities
You're something like a canvas
You have potential for creativity or creation
That's been stretched and primed
That has been prepared and readied for use
You can become something priceless
You have the potential to become valuable or important
Or you could be a waste of time
Or you could be of no value or unimportant
This is the best time to be alone
This is an opportune time to be by oneself
Consider where complaining gets you
Think about the consequences of complaining
We're living much too
We're too comfortable
We're living much too comfortably for me
We're too comfortable for my liking
Keep drifting, keep drifting aimlessly
Continue to move without direction or purpose
Stay with me, stay with me
Stick with me, don't give up
We'll stay busy, stay busy
We'll keep ourselves occupied
Endless trips to anywhere
Going anywhere without a specific destination
To end up where we'll be
To eventually reach our inevitable destination
A better message to subscribe too
A more positive or uplifting belief to follow
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Brian Deneeve, Francis Mark, Josh Newton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Whiskey-Foxtrot 929
Every time I hear this song, I take one hell of a trip down memory lane. Man, it's been a while since I heard this. I still love all of their songs.
heelgill
They did a fantastic job with the choruses off this record. Their so catchy!
Conrad A
@heelgill couldn't agree more man. "Abandon your friends" has some personal anthems for me. Been digging into their full discography lately🤘🏼
heelgill
@Conrad A Man, I just recently got into their discography earlier this year. I’ve always listened to "The After Dinner Payback" here and there but that was it. This album is amazing.
Conrad A
Still here for this✌🏼
TK421
This song became my life and I didn’t even know it for 14 years. It means even more than I could express. “It is better to be alone than to be in the wrong company” Bruce Lee RIP one love
Odd Darko
I left this music right around the time abandon your friends came out and that was an amazing album. So flash forward to today I decide to check these guys out on Pandora and lone behold they made another album while I was away and its fucking amazing one of my favorites tracks is this gem right here. Man I miss these guys!!!!!
Megan D
So happy they got back together<3 Excited to hear some new music from them!
D.A.Honda247
Hands down thee most original and
!!!!!!GREATEST BAND EVER!!!!!
Void Void Void
One of the best songs ever <3