By Rebecca Clark
On April 23rd, The Funeral Portrait will unleash their genre-defying, emotionally explosive live show in Syracuse, NY at The Song and Dance. Teaming up with The Rasmus, this tour promises a night packed with raw energy, powerful performances, and moments that will leave a lasting impact.
“We are going out with The Rasmus next winter over in Europe,” Jennings told Static Noise. “So we jumped at the opportunity to take them on their first American tour in 16 years and return the favor! It’s exciting getting to be involved with such a legendary act.”
Known for their theatrical live performances, emotionally rich lyrics, and fiercely loyal fan base, The Coffin Crew, The Funeral Portrait has carved out a unique space in the emo rock scene. Their show is a full-on “Devotion Ceremony,” offering a safe haven for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t belong.
“Seeing the faces of The Coffin Crew all light up with excitement and passion as they get to finally have a break from their normal lives is such a massive reason why we do this,” Jennings said. “We want to be a voice for those who are struggling and make our Devotion Ceremonies a place of peace for them.”
For anyone discovering The Funeral Portrait for the first time, Jennings hopes they leave with a powerful sense of belonging. “This is a place they belong,” he said. “Other weirdos like us have made something of ourselves, and they can too. TFP shows are always going to be a place where they can be themselves, fully.”
The band’s latest project, Greetings From Suffocate City, will soon be expanded with a deluxe edition releasing on June 13th. While it won’t dive deeper into the storyline of the original concept album, it offers new material for die-hard fans and newcomers alike.
“There are several brand new songs never heard before that we think kids will really connect with,” Jennings said. “As well as new versions (or old versions) of songs off the record that the super fans that sink their teeth into!”
Despite the album’s bold energy, the process of recording it wasn’t always easy. “So much of the album was recorded over Covid so the entire process was difficult,” he admitted. “Though I’d have to say “Hearse For Two” was probably the hardest on my end because of what it means to me and the emotional place I had to go to in order to get the performance.”
Songs like “Alien” offer a raw, honest look at feeling out of place. “Sometimes being emotionally ahead of the pack is a blessing and curse,” he explained. “Being bullied as a kid or going through different struggles often makes people more self-aware and introspective.”
That message of perseverance isn’t just performative, it’s personal. On social media, Jennings has been open about facing bullying and feeling out of place growing up, experiences that now fuel his passion to support fans in similar positions.
“Music was such a massive help during those times,” he shared. “I started working at a local venue at 14 and being in the scene and playing shows of my own in previous bands helped so much. “I hope our music can help people feel the same way and grant them a sense of community that I know I needed at a young age too!”
When asked what he’d tell his younger self, Jennings said, “I’d say keep going! Everything you’re working for will happen if you just DON’T QUIT!”
Over the years, The Funeral Portrait has built a devoted fanbase known as the Coffin Crew and for Jennings, the most memorable fan experiences are impossible to narrow down to just one. “Every night I go to the merch table and meet these kids,” Jennings said. “Pretty much every night, someone cries and tells me how much our music means to them, how it changed their life during a difficult time, or how a song made them feel understood when nothing else did. I have moments like that constantly. It’s why we do what we do.”
So whether you’re a longtime member of the Coffin Crew or a curious newcomer, The Funeral Portrait’s show in Syracuse promises to be more than a concert — it’s a space to be seen, heard, and, most importantly, to belong.
Don’t miss The Funeral Portrait live in Syracuse on April 23rd at The Song and Dance with The Rasmus. And don’t forget to pre-order the deluxe edition of Greetings From Suffocate City, out June 13th.
Full Q&A from our interview:
Static Noise: You’re hitting the road with The Rasmus and Cyan Kicks with a few stops in Upstate, NY. How did this tour come together, and what excites you most about being part of this lineup?
Lee Jennings: We are going out with The Rasmus next winter over in Europe so we jumped at the opportunity to take them on their first American tour in 16 years & return the favor! It’s exciting getting to be involved with such a legendary act.
Static Noise: Given the emotional depth of your music, what’s the most rewarding part of performing live and seeing the crowd connect with the
songs?
Lee Jennings: Seeing the faces of The Coffin Crew all light up with excitement & passion as they get to finally have a break from their normal lives is such a massive reason of why we do this. We want to be a voice for those who are struggling & make our Devotion Ceremonies a place of peace for them.
Static Noise: If someone’s just discovering TFP for the first time at this show, what’s the one thing you hope they walk away with beyond the
music?
Lee Jennings: That this is a place they belong! That other weirdos like us have made something of ourselves & they can too! That TFP shows are always going to be a place where they can be themselves, fully!
Static Noise: “Suffocate City” has been described as a haven for
outcasts and misfits, and the original album really carved out a bold space for that concept to thrive. With the deluxe edition of Greetings from Suffocate City coming out June 13th, how are you expanding on that
world? (Were there elements of the story, themes, or collaborations that you didn’t get to fully explore on the standard release that you’re now bringing to life in this expanded version?)
Lee Jennings: The Deluxe Edition won’t directly expand on the lore too much, as much as give the fans more to look forward to! There are several brand new songs never heard before that we think kids will really connect with, as well as new versions (or old versions) of songs off the record that the super fans that sink their teeth into!
Static Noise: Which track on the album was the hardest to record and why?
Lee Jennings: so much of the album was recorded over Covid so the entire process was difficult. Though I’d have to say “Hearse For Two” was probably the hardest on my end, not because of the notes but because of what it means to me & the emotional place I had to go to in order to get the performance.
Static Noise: As someone who grew up on the Warped Tour scene, your music immediately hit me with that familiar emotional punch like something that could’ve easily been on that tour in its heyday, but still feels incredibly current and needed in today’s rock landscape. What has it been like touring with artists like The Used, who helped define that era, and now joining the lineup for the Warped Tour 25th Anniversary shows?
Do you feel like you’re helping carry the energy of that generation into this new wave of fans, while also carving out your own legacy?
Lee Jennings: It’s a massive honor! Bands like The Used are why bands like us exist! The idea of “passing the torch” is so important to us & we want to carry the torch of this kind of music down to the next generation!
Static Noise: I came across a post you shared on social media where you spoke about struggling to fit in and facing bullying during your younger years. I admire how those experiences are reflected in your new record, which delves into themes like perseverance, heartbreak, and adversity.
What helped you navigate those tough times, and how do you hope your music can inspire and support listeners going through similar struggles?
Lee Jennings: Being honest, music was such a massive help during those times. I started working at a local venue at 14 & so being in the scene & playing shows of my own in old bands helped so much to make friends & feel comfortable in my skin! I hope our music can help people feel the same way & grant them a sense of community that I know I needed at a young age too!
Static Noise: “Greetings from Suffocate City” really feels like a
heartfelt letter to the outsiders. If you could go back and talk to your younger self, the one who felt like they didn’t fit in, what would you say to him now?
Lee Jennings: I’d say keep going! Everything you’re working for will happen if you just DONT QUIT!
Static Noise: You’ve built a dedicated fanbase, the Coffin Crew, similar to other iconic fandoms like the MCRmy and the Psychos. What’s been the
most memorable fan interaction or experience that’s left a lasting
impression on you?
Lee Jennings: It’s impossible to say. Every night I go to the merch table & I meet these kids. Pretty much every night someone cries & tells me how much our music means to them & how it changed their life during a difficult time or how a song made them feel understood when nothing else did. I have moments like that constantly! It’s why we do what we do.
Static Noise: “Alien” is such a powerful track, capturing the raw
emotion of feeling out of place in a profound way. Do you think that
sense of not fitting in could come from being more spiritually awake or deeply attuned to the complexities of the world around you?
Lee Jennings: It definitely can! Being bullied as a kid or going through different struggles often makes people more self-aware & introspective, which might make someone feel different & weird from everyone else. Sometimes being emotionally ahead of the pack is a blessing and curse, in that way
Static Noise: In a recent press release, you mentioned how seeing fans sing the lyrics of “Holy Water” at shows is proof that music heals. With
the demands of the industry being what they are, what can fans do to support the artists they love? As artists give so much to their fans, what do you think fans can do to help fill your cup and show their support in a way that goes beyond just showing up to a show?
Lee Jennings: We will never ask for anything other than just showing up & being yourself! But to answer the question, the best way to support ANY band is word of mouth! Tell a friend or family member or partner about them! Help spread the word! That’s always going to be king for helping bands grow.
Static Noise: Looking back on your career so far, is there a defining moment that stands out as particularly memorable, something that shaped you as an artist or shifted your perspective on your musical journey?
Lee Jennings: I think back to when we opened for the final Issues shows in 2024! It was the biggest shows we had ever played at the time & was one of the first times we felt like a “real band”. It was such an honor to be asked to play with a legendary band like that! As well, the first date of our tour with FFDP in Hersey Stadium to 17,000 was wild!
Static Noise: You’ve toured with some major names over the years, how has your live show evolved since your earlier days?
Lee Jennings: We are a well-oiled machine! We’ve all been playing shows our whole lives & we know how we move. We’re always developing & tightening our show to be more involved & more dynamic! Next year we plan to really up our production to the next level.
Static Noise: What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring
musicians who are just starting out, especially those trying to navigate the challenges of the music industry?
Lee Jennings: DONT QUIT. Ever! No matter what they say or what gets in your way, just don’t quit & keep pushing. It’s the only way it’s gonna work!
Static Noise: Do you have anything else to add?
Lee Jennings: Thank you for reading! Make sure you pre-order our Deluxe edition of GFSC & come see us at a Devotion Ceremony near you!