BAND OF THE MONTH
WE GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DESERVED. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS I HAVE FOLLOWED THE PATH OF THIS TALENTED AND AMAZING VOCALIST GO FROM TOP TO BOTTOM REALLY QUICK AND RIGHT BACK ON TOP
UNDER THE KNIFE MAGAZINE
PRESENTS
RONNIE RADKE & FALLING IN REVERSE
MUSIC VIDEOS OF FALLING IN REVERSE
AS OUR BAND OF THE MONTH. READ RONNIE’S AMAZING STORY OF BEING ON TOP AND GOING THROUGH STRUGGLES IN LIFE AND HOW HE CONQUERED HIS DEMONS. FALLING IN REVERSE DEFINITELY IS UNDER THE KNIFE MAGAZINE’S BAND OF THE MONTH
ABOUT RONNIE RADKE & FALLING IN REVERSE
Falling in Reverse is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2008, signed to Epitaph Records. The band is led by lead singer Ronnie Radkealong with lead guitarist Jacky Vincent, drummer Ryan Seaman, rhythm guitaristDerek Jones, and touring bassist Zakk Sandler. They released their debut album, The Drug In Me Is You, on July 26, 2011, which peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200, selling 18,000 copies in its first week of sales. “Raised by Wolves”, “The Drug in Me Is You“, “I’m Not a Vampire“, “Good Girls Bad Guys” and “Pick Up the Phone” were all released as singles to promote the album.
Their second studio album, Fashionably Late, was released on June 18, 2013, which peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200. “Alone“, “Fashionably Late“, “Born to Lead“, and “Bad Girls Club” were released as singles to promote the album. The band released three singles, “God, If You Are Above…” , “Guillotine IV (The Final Chapter)”, and “Sexy Drug”, in promotion of their third album Just Like You, which was released on February 24, 2015. However, on February 17, the full album stream was uploaded to www.fallinginreverse.com.
HERE IS RONNIE’S STORY:
Formation (2008–2010)
In 2008, lead singer Ronnie Radke was involved in an altercation in Las Vegas that resulted in the fatal shooting of 18 year-old Michael Cook. While Radke did not shoot Cook, he was indicted on battery charges. These charges, combined with Radke’s past troubles with narcotics and rehab, led to a sentence of five years with probation. He failed to report to his parole officer and as result he was arrested in June 2008, where he was sentenced to two years in prison. At the time, Radke was the lead singer of post-hardcore band Escape the Fate, which had released its debut album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion, in 2006. Following Radke’s incarceration, Escape the Fate kicked him out of the band and replaced him with former Blessthefall lead singer Craig Mabbitt. Max Green, bassist of Escape the Fate, stated about Radke’s law problems that, “First we couldn’t tour out of the country, then out of the state.” Radke was released on December 12, 2010.
Radke discussed his relationship with Escape the Fate members since his departure from the band, stating that they have tried to reconcile with Radke but he was uninterested in getting back on friendly terms with them after they kicked him out and misinformed their fans about Radke getting caught with heroin inside prison. Radke stated in an interview, “They make a whole album called This War Is Ours, and then they try to say, ‘We didn’t name that album after you, dude.’ Which in fact, they did. I could be wrong; they could be talking about the war on terrorism or something. I don’t know. But I just have a feeling that record name was about me. They talk a lot of shit. It is always about forgive and forget, but there’s some things that I would like to say. So I did. On the record. During his time in prison, Radke formed a new band called From Behind These Walls and officially began creating media with the band upon his release, later forced to change their name to Falling in Reverse due to copyright infringement. In 2009 with Radke still in prison he came to launch a demo of his band, due to contacts with several musicians he had. The demo contains four songs that were not put on the debut album The Drug in Me Is You. The original lineup consisted of Radke and bassist Nason Schoeffler, who helped find guitarist Jacky Vincent and rhythm guitarist Derek Jones. The band went through several drummers test, were Nick Rich who later was replaced by former LoveHateHero member Scott Gee, as official members, before finding former the Bigger Lights drummer Ryan Seaman. Schoeffler quit the band in April 2011 and was replaced by Mika Horiuchi, formerly of the band Cellador, who also later departed from the band after issues with Radke.
The Drug in Me Is You and record deal (2010–12)
The songs for the debut album were all written by Radke during his imprisonment. Lead vocalist Ronnie Radke has often called the album a breakup record, but with a band and not a girl. Radke said that, “I would think all day, for days and days, [about] what people would want to hear. I would dissect my old album and read all the fan letters and the reasons why they loved my band and why they listened to it. And I wrote about that, but in different ways. I don’t know why these kids love the tragedies that I write about. I guess they can relate to it.”
To promote the album, the band announced the dates for their first live performances, which would take place at the end of July following their debut album’s release at certain locations in California, with one date scheduled in Texas on September 24, 2011. These shows were planned to be with supporting act Vampires Everywhere!. However, the July dates were postponed due to issues with guitarist Jacky Vincent’s immigration visa, though the band voiced intentions to make these dates up. This meant that the band’s first live performances would be at the Vans Warped Tour 2011 from August 10 to 14 for five shows on the Kia Kevin Says Stage throughout the western United States. However, the band played a few secret shows under the name “Goodbye Graceful” on August eighth and ninth in Anaheim and Los Angeles.
Following the release of the album and some Warped Tour 2011 appearances, the band announced their first headlining tour across the United States, with locations beginning in New Mexico, looping around the east coast, and concluding in Colorado. The tour took place from September to October 2011 with support acts Eyes Set to Kill and For All Those Sleeping. The band’s first supporting tour was to be a ten-show tour in November 2011 with headliners Black Veil Brides and supporting acts Aiden and Drive-A, but was canceled after Black Veil Brides dropped out when their lead vocalist Andy Biersack broke his nose. Emmure replaced Falling in Reverse on the second half of the Take A Picture, It Lasts Longer Tour with We Came As Romans and the band played an exclusive show at KROQ on November 8 to make up for the canceled shows.
The bands started out their first headlining tour, The Drug in Me Is You Tour, in February 2012 was with support from Skip the Foreplay and Oh, Sleeper. In January 2012, the band announced Mika Horiuchi’s departure from the band, Falling In Reverse’s frontman Ronnie Radke gave Altpress.com this exclusive statement regarding Horiuchi’s departure from the band“Mika is not in the band and that’s it. Nothing more to say right now but stay tuned kids, 2012 is our year.” In January 2012, former I Am Ghost bassist Ron Ficarro began filling in as Falling in Reverse’s The Drug in Me Is You Tour touring bassist due to the departure of former bassist Mika Horiuchi. Later on Ronnie announced on stage that Ron Ficarro would be their permanent replacement for Mika. On February 6, 2012, Former Escape the Fate member, Omar Espinosa made a guest appearance on stage performing “Situations” and “Not good Enough for Truth or Cliche” (Although this could have been because Derek wasn’t there). The band’s third music video for their debut album’s first single, “Raised by Wolves”, was released on February 28, 2012.
In late August Falling in Reverse announced a Fall/Winter headlining tour called “The Thug in Me is You Tour” with supporting acts Enter Shikari, I See Stars, Matt Toka and letlive.
Fashionably Late and Bury the Hatchet tour (2012–14)
On May 7 the band released the first single and music video, “Alone”, from the second album, titled, Fashionably Late. The cover, merchandise, and a June 18, 2013 release date was revealed on May 7 as well.
To promote the album, Falling in Reverse would be on tour from May to July 2013, including the Vans Warped Tour 2013. On May 13 Falling In Reverse announced on Twitter the band had cancelled tour dates due to lead singer Radke was expecting the birth of his first child with his fiancé Crissy Henderson. Falling In Reverse officially stated on Facebook “Our apologies but Falling In Reverse has to cancel the rest of the dates scheduled in May. Ronnie will not be able to appear as his girlfriend is about to give birth to their first child and he needs to be by her side. Thanks for your understanding. See you soon.” They also canceled the dates to play Warped Tour. The tour released the following statement regarding the band’s decision “Falling In Reverse are withdrawing from performing on this summer’s Warped Tour. Lead singer Ronnie Radke’s fiancé is pregnant with their first child who is due shortly.
On May 21, the title track, “Fashionably Late” was released as the second single. Later, on May 30, the song, “Born to Lead” was streamed through YouTube. The entire album was uploaded to Epitaph Records’ YouTube channel on June 12, allowing fans to listen to the album before the official release date.
Following the cancellation of dates for their tour and Warped Tour, Falling in Reverse celebrated the release of Fashionably Late with a special performance at the Roxy in West Hollywood, California, on June 18, 2013. The set of one hour was broadcast online and presented by Hot Topic.
On October 28, 2013, Falling in Reverse, along with Ronnie’s former band Escape the Fate, announced that they would be touring together, with Falling in Reverse headlining, on the Bury The Hatchet Tour. The bands posted a video through Alternative Press with Ronnie and Escape the Fate singer Craig Mabbitt being interviewed about the tour, stating that they are now over the hatred between the two bands and wish to be friends, hence the tour. During the tour, Ronnie made appearances on stage with Escape the Fate, singing the singles from Escape the Fate debut album Dying Is Your Latest Fashion (“Situations” and “Not Good Enough for Truth in Cliché”).
Just Like You and line-up change (2014–present)
In March 2014, Radke announced that the band had begun recording its third album. On May 12, 2014 it was announced by Alternative Press that Falling in Reverse had parted ways with bassist Ron Ficarro, reporting that former Escape the Fate bassist Max Green (who announced his departure from Escape the Fate just 3 days before on May 9, six months after rejoining Escape the Fate) would be his replacement. Ronnie is quoted as saying “Ron was probably the best bass player I’ve ever played with, but at this moment in time I feel it is best to part ways with him. I respect him and wish nothing but the best for him. Max quitting Escape The Fate was like a godsend. It was a no brainer to have him join. I’ve known him half my life and this will be a great new chapter to start. ”
In an interview with MTV, Radke stated that the next album will be nothing like their single Alone from Fashionably Late as it has no raps throughout the album, instead he stated that it is heavier and will contain more screams, moving his passion for rapping into his solo career. Radke explained in another interview that the third album will be more like a “sequel” to the Escape the Fate album Dying Is Your Latest Fashion and is aimed to be nostalgic to people who were fans of the band since then.
In August it was announced that the band will be supporting Black Veil Brides on their headline tour across America throughout October and November dubbed “The Blackmass” and will also be supported by Set It Off and Drama Club.
On October 6, 2014, a month before the Blackmass tour started, it was announced that Max Green had left the band due to personal issues unrelated to the band. The departure was amicable.
On December 15, 2014, the first single from their yet-to-be titled third album, “God, If You Are Above…” was released on iTunes and streamed on the Epitaph Records YouTube channel. On January 13, 2015, Falling In Reverse released their second single “Guillotine IV (The Final Chapter)” on iTunes and Epitaph’s YouTube channel. They announced the album was titled Just Like You, it was now available for pre-ordering, and is set to be released February 24.
In February 2015, bassist Jonathan Wolfe left and was replaced by touring member, Zakk Sandler.
On February 15, 2015, Daniel P. Carter premiered Stay Away, another single off of Just Like You, on the BBC Radio1 Rock Show.
On February 16, 2015,Falling in Reverse premiered their new single, Sexy Drug, on AlternativePress.com.
On February 17, 2015, the full album stream of Just Like You was uploaded to fallinginreverse.com and YouTube, a week before the scheduled release of the album.
On February 24th, 2015, Just Like You was released as planned, along with a music video for the song Just Like You.
On March 16, 2015, Falling In Reverse announced a US tour called Ronnie Radke’s Three-Ring Circus. The tour has three acts; a performance by opening band Ghost Town, then Falling In Reverse performing the entire Dying Is Your Latest Fashion album from Radke’s days in Escape the Fate, followed by Falling In Reverse performing their own songs. The tour is scheduled to last from April 24 to June 6.
Musical style and lyrics
Falling in Reverse’s style has been considered post-hardcore, pop punk, hard rock, metalcore and glam metal, with pop-stylized choruses. It has also been described as a blend between pop and metalcore.
Radke commented that, “in the same songs it sounds like Norma Jean or Underoath with Katy Perry choruses.” Lyrically, according to Radke, some of the band’s have tones of being, “arrogant, [it’s something] like rappers do mostly.” This is because Radke has cited Eminem as one of his major influences, so much so that he even included a beat made by Eminem and Dr. Dre during a breakdown on the track “Sink or Swim”.
The lyrical content of the band’s music is inspired mainly by vocalist Radke’s personal experiences, which include his mother, the corruption of Las Vegas, and his incarceration/release from prison due to multiple run-ins with the law involving narcotics and battery charges related to the death of Michael Cook. No songs by the band to date concern love because Radke stated that, “…I’m not going to lie … and try to write songs on how much I love somebody. I do have love, but there will be a lot of songs about just what I’ve been through.” Several songs focused on his departure from Escape the Fate after they kicked him out and replaced him with former Blessthefall singer Craig Mabbitt, with songs by the band that directly attacked both Mabbitt and Escape the Fate’s bassist Max Green.
UNDER THE KNIFE 
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