FM – “Digging Up The Dirt” Video Released

Arguably the UK’s finest purveyors of melodic rock music, FM will release their new studio album Heroes And Villains on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America.

The first video clip from the album has been released – check out “Digging Up The Dirt” below:

Heroes And Villains is FM’s first album release since signing to Frontiers Music Srl, and follows the band’s 2014 EP, Futurama, and sell-out UK arena tour with Foreigner and Europe. FM’s UK tour kicks-off at in Bristol on Friday, May 1st, and includes dates in Wolverhampton, Portsmouth, Nottingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester, with the final night of the tour taking place at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on Sunday, May 10th and will be anticipated by the band’s eagerly awaited performance at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Trezzo sull’Adda (Milan) Italy on April 11th.

The fourth album since FM reformed in 2007, Heroes And Villains sees FM staying true to their musical legacy, offering their classic sound updated, with great songwriting and performances spiced-up by the golden voice of lead vocalist Steve Overland. Self-produced, the recording session took place at Tremolo Studios, before being mixed and mastered at Abbey Road Studios.

Looking forward to the release of Heroes And Villains, Steve Overland said, “I think we have managed to capture the best elements of what the band are about in 2015. We had great fun making the record and we are all very proud of the finished result. There are big rock anthems in tracks like “Diggin’ Up The Dirt” and “Fire and Rain”, and many melodic songs with FM’s trademark hooks and vocal harmonies. There are also not one, but two ballads. One of these (“Walking With Angels”) is a stripped-down acoustic song, which is something a little different for us.”

The band’s drummer, Pete Jupp, added, “After our shows in November the band was white hot and the creative juices were in full flow, so the writing and recording process for Heroes and Villains was a prolific and painless affair. We’re looking forward to getting back out on tour, straining at the leash.”

Merv Goldsworthy, FM’s bassist, agrees: “All the songs all came together really quickly and the recording of the album went without a hitch. Once we started getting the mixes back of the first few songs we knew we were onto something.  Heroes And Villains is a little rockier and a little more up tempo than Rockville, and that suits me fine! I’m really looking forward to touring this album this year – bring it on!”

Guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick confirmed what FM fans already know: “We’re on a roll! Some of the tracks on this album are better than anything that the band has ever produced, and Steve’s voice is as good as ever.”

Keyboard player Jem Davis, who has given the album a retro sheen by incorporating a Moog, Mellotron and a healthy dose of Hammond organ, is equally excited: “The band is on fire and the new album sounds HUGE! I think this is going to be an amazing year for FM!”

Tracklisting:

“Digging Up The Dirt”
“You’re The Best Thing About Me”
“Life Is A Highway”
“Fire And Rain”
“Incredible”
“Call On Me”
“Cold Hearted”
“Shape I’m In”
“Big Brother”
“Some Days I Only Wanna Rock And Roll”
“I Want You”
“Walking With Angels”

EPK:

Track by track guide to Heroes And Villains, by FM guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick:

“Digging Up The Dirt” – “A hard-edged song about tabloid sleaze. A track where the band tried to capture a ‘big production’ sound. We all knew that this was the album opener.”

“You’re The Best Thing About Me” – “A late contender for the album by Steve that the rest of band loved immediately. It’s a great driving song that harks back to some of FM’s earlier material.”

“Life Is A Highway” – “Steve brought the original idea to rehearsal and then the band all chipped in to create this inspired melodic rocker. One of the band’s favourites on Heroes And Villains.”

“Fire And Rain” – “One of the heavier, riff inspired tracks on the album.”

“Incredible” – “The big FM power ballad of the album, this is a song that Steve and Jim originally wrote and then presented to the band to get the FM treatment. The track also features a string quartet.”

“Call On Me” – “This song was originally written by Merv many years ago and was recorded at the very first session after FM reformed in 2008 at Metropolis Studios for the then untitled Metropolis album. The band was unhappy with the song until a new chorus was written last year. It’s probably the biggest chorus on the album and another great driving song!”

“Cold Hearted” – “A real team effort created this song at a rehearsal. It was the first song recorded for Heroes And Villains and originally debuted on the Futurama EP in 2014. It’s already a live favourite.”

“Shape I’m In” – “A song about a guy who falls apart after his wife/girlfriend leaves him. Power-pop with a big chorus.”

“Big Brother” – “Another heavy track about the ever-increasing Orwellian world that we live in.”

“Some Days I Only Wanna Rock And Roll” – “A fun workout inspired by a great title that Merv had. Listen out for a bit of sax at the end.”

“I Want You” – “Originally an idea of Pete’s. A great fun, catchy song, definitely old-school FM, and sure to become a fan favourite.”

“Walking With Angels” – “A first for FM – no drums or bass, just acoustic guitars, a few keyboards, vocals and a string quartet. A haunting track that shows off Steve Overland’s voice a treat.”

FM’s live itinerary can be found at this location.