Future of the Left

Future of the Left

Future of the Left are an alternative rock band from Cardiff, Wales, formed in 2005 and active to the present day. Their line-up includes Andy Falkous, who also uses the name Falco, on vocals, guitar and keyboards; Julia Ruzicka on bass; Jack Egglestone on drums; Jimmy Watkins on guitar; and Kelson Mathias.

Formation and early releases

The band forms from the remains of two other Cardiff groups. Falkous and Egglestone, both formerly of mclusky, join with former Jarcrew vocalist Kelson Mathias and bassist Hywel Evans. Evans leaves soon afterwards, and Mathias moves to bass. After a run of initial shows under various joking pseudonyms, the trio debuts as Future Of The Left in September 2006.

They first record for mclusky’s label Too Pure, with the double A-side Fingers Become Thumbs / The Lord Hates a Coward issued in January 2007. Two more singles follow before the debut album Curses appears in September 2007. The band’s sound at this point centres on abrasive guitar riffs, vocals, and added keyboard textures, including a Roland analogue synth and acoustic piano on the closing track The Contrarian.

Developing catalogue

While touring heavily, Future of the Left release the live album Last Night I Saved Her From Vampires in 2008. They begin to bring mclusky songs back into their sets from May 2009, including Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues and To Hell With Good Intentions. A new single, The Hope That House Built, follows on 4AD in March 2009, before the second studio album Travels With Myself And Another arrives in June 2009.

Mathias leaves in May 2010. Steven Hodson of Oceansize and Kong stands in for the following tour, which also includes Jimmy Watkins of Strange News From Another Star on guitar. Ruzicka, formerly of Million Dead, becomes the permanent bassist in October 2010. The band then tours Europe and Australia.

Later releases and label changes

Future of the Left sign to Xtra Mile Recordings and issue the six-track EP Polymers Are Forever in November 2011. Sheena Is A T-shirt Salesman follows as a single in March 2012, and The Plot Against Common Sense is released in June 2012. The album’s songs address subjects such as film franchises, plastic waste in the oceans, and copycat rioting.

In November 2012 they self-release the Man Vs. Melody EP. The following year they launch a crowdfunding campaign to fund the next album, reaching its target within hours and raising more than twice the amount. They release Love Songs For Our Husbands on their own label, Prescriptions, in July 2013, then issue How To Stop Your Brain In An Accident in October, alongside the out-takes EP Human Death.

Style

Future of the Left’s music combines minimal guitar or synthesiser riffs with Falkous’s darkly satirical lyrics, delivered with force. Their songs also use strong melodies, shifts in dynamics, changes of time signature and vocal harmonies. Later material adds acoustic guitars and spoken word passages alongside the band’s usual riffs and shouting.