Funeral for a Friend Drummer to Judge Live and Unsigned

Funeral for a Friend’s drummer Ryan Richards is to judge Live and Unsigned. Funeral for a Friend are the screaming, swinging, driving force behind UK hardcore and emo rock, flying the flag for Welsh original music.

Originally a keyboard player, Ryan’s career as a drummer began by accident in high school, when the drummer for his band stopped showing up to rehearsals, so Richards stepped in and took his place. His long term status as the Funeral for a Friend drummer has seen him play on all five of the band’s album releases, from their 2003 debut ‘Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation’ which rode high in the UK Charts, to latest release ‘Welcome Home Armageddon!’ in 2011.

Funeral for a Friend have always had a dedicated following and in 2003 the band secured their first Kerrang! Award, winning ‘Best UK Newcomer’. The win was largely attributed to their fervent fan base, as the awards winner was decided by public vote on the Kerrang! website.

Alongside five albums, Funeral for a Friend have sold more than a million records, had four albums go into the top 20 in the UK Album Charts, released three Gold records and graced countless magazine covers.

Ryan is set to judge the Rock Category Final of the Live and Unsigned 2011 Grand National Finals at the O2 on the 23rd July, where he will be looking out for the best in UK, original unsigned rock music along with a host of other top industry judges. He will also be performing an exclusive DJ set after the Rock Final and entertaining festival goers at Live Fest, London’s largest indoor Festival.