A Hero A Fake
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2004 in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
| Headquarters | Charlotte , United States |
| Products | Metalcore music, studio albums, EPs, demos |
A Hero A Fake was a metalcore group originating from Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Established in 2004, they secured a contract with Victory Records by July 2008. Their first full-length album, Volatile, debuted in October 2008, followed by their sophomore release Let Oceans Lie in January 2010.
Origins and Independent Releases (2004–2007)
The band A Hero A Fake came together in late 2004 in Charlotte through the collaboration of Eric Morgan, Justin Brown, and Lenin Hernandez while attending Olympic High School, enlisting freshman drummer Brendon Campau. Initially performing under the name Nothing Gold Can Stay, they opted for a name change during the creation of their first demo. By February 2005, they had recorded a six-track demo titled AHAF Demo 2005, which was handed out at early performances. Their initial style drew inspiration from groups such as Thrice, Senses Fail, and Underoath, incorporating melodic elements characteristic of post-hardcore.
In June 2005, Evan Kirkley—formerly associated with Cambridge and Seneca—joined as drummer to record the Friends Are Family EP, featuring the track "Click Click," which was later re-recorded as a hidden song on Let Oceans Lie. This release marked their transition toward a more metalcore-oriented sound. The band continued performing locally until September 2005 when Morgan and Brown relocated to Chapel Hill to pursue studies at the University of North Carolina.
Despite this move, Morgan and Brown sustained the band's activities by commuting weekly between Raleigh and Charlotte for four years. In April 2006, Peter Gwynne took over drumming duties; Matt Davis joined as bassist and Patrick Jeffers as an additional guitarist. This lineup produced a three-song demo with producer Christopher Kincaid, which they self-released in January 2007. The demo included "F-16," a track later re-recorded for their debut album Volatile. Gwynne eventually left to join Circle Takes The Square, with Tim Burgess stepping in as drummer during summer 2007, establishing a stable lineup that lasted three years.
Volatile Era (2008–2009)
In December 2007, A Hero A Fake entered The Basement Recording studios to collaborate with producer Jamie King on their debut album. By April 2008, they had shared tracks "I Know I," "F-16," and "Superwoman" on MySpace. Three months later, they revealed their signing with Chicago-based Victory Records. Their debut album Volatile was officially released on October 28, 2008, attracting mixed critiques that praised the band's unconventional song arrangements and innovative take on technical metal. However, some criticism targeted the vocal delivery and underdeveloped sections, implying that the band might have been hurried into the label environment. Nonetheless, Alternative Press identified them as an act to watch in 2009.
The album Volatile functioned primarily as a developmental effort since academic obligations restricted extensive touring. On February 21, 2009, a music video for the single "I Know I," produced by Scott Hansen, premiered on MTV2. Following their graduation in May 2009, the band embarked on an East Coast tour in June and proceeded to tour the Midwest in July. August saw them announce plans to return to the studio with Jamie King for their second album recording. Later that year, they toured alongside Modern Day Escape and concluded with December dates supporting I Am Abominatio and fellow Victory Records band Farewell to Freeway.
Let Oceans Lie (2010–2011)
On December 1, 2009, the band revealed their upcoming album Let Oceans Lie, which was officially released on January 19, 2010. Concurrently, Victory Records made the title track available as a digital single on iTunes. The music video for "Let Oceans Lie," directed by Scott Hansen, debuted on MTV2 and Fuse TV on February 8, 2010. Additionally, the band featured in episode 54 of Victory Records' VicTorV video series. Reviewers commended the album for its artistic growth and noted a polished sound compared to their initial release.
During early 2010, the band embarked on a self-managed tour covering the Midwest and East Coast regions. Between March and April, they led the Rise of Victory Tour alongside labelmates Farewell to Freeway and Before There Was Rosalyn. In May, they participated in the Rage tour as support for Attila, joined by Mediaskare Records' Blind Witness and future Victory Records signees Dr. Acula. Later, in August, they toured on the Blood In The Water itinerary with labelmates Corpus Christi and Bullet Tooth Records’ Deception of a Ghost.
Victory Records issued the band's rendition of Paramore’s "Looking Up" on December 1, 2010. The following day marked the start of their Dismember December tour with CI Records’ An Early Ending. Immediately afterward, they joined the Metal Christmas tour headlined by Equal Vision Records’ Texas In July, supported by Like Moths To Flames and Destruction of a Rose.
In February 2011, the group entered Die in a Fire Studios to record demos for new material. By June 24, they announced via Twitter that tracking for their initial set of new songs had been completed.
The Future Again (2012–present)
Following nearly a year without live shows, A Hero A Fake initiated a 17-date tour starting November 9, 2011. This marked their first performances west of Texas, including stops in California.
On October 17, 2011, the band released an early version of "The Constant" ahead of their next album. They announced plans for a new record on January 19, 2012, aiming for a summer release through Victory Records.
The album title was disclosed as The Future Again on May 23, 2012. On August 26, the band declared their disbandment with a final concert scheduled in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Members
- Current
- Justin Brown – vocals (2004–2013)†
- Eric Morgan – guitar (2004–2013)†
- Patrick Jeffers – guitar (2006–2013)‡
- Evan Kirkley – drums (2005, 2010–2013)
- Former
- Alex Avigliano – guitar, vocals (2004–2009)†₦
- Peter Gwynne – drums (2006–2007)
- Matt Davis – bass guitar (2006–2010)†
- Tim Burgess – drums (2007–2010)
- Joshua Taddeo – bass guitar, vocals (2010–2011)
- Chris Rosser – bass (2012–2013)
- Brendon Campau – Drums (2004)
† founding member ₦ Born Lenin Hernandez; legally sought name change in 2008.
Studio albums
- Volatile (Victory Records, October 2008)
- Let Oceans Lie (Victory Records, January 2010)
Released in 2012, The Future Again was independently produced by the band.
EPs
The band's sole EP is Friends Are Family EP, self-produced and released in July 2005. No official tracklist has been published.
- Friends Are Family EP (self-released, July 2005)
Demos
- AHAF Demo 2005 (independently issued, February 2005)
- AHAF Demo 2007 (independently issued, January 2007)