The Faint [rank: 179] based on users subscribed

"The Faint is an indie rock/synth pop band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer, a reference to Norman Mailer. The band Norman Bailer also included Conor Oberst, of Bright Eyes, with whom The Faint toured in 2005. He left shortly after joining and wasn't accepted into the band when he attempted to return. He therefore played no part in The Faint's current sound, though they currently share a spot with Bright Eyes on Saddle Creek Records, the Omaha-based label formed by Robb Nansel and Mike Mogis in 1993.

The band originally consisted of Clark Baechle, Todd Fink (nee Baechle), and Joel Petersen. They signed to Saddle Creek Records and released a few singles, but were unable to establish widespread sales, though they were extremely popular in the Omaha-area. After adding Matt Bowen, The Faint released Media, which established them within a small, national community of fans. While touring, Bowen left and was replaced by Jacob Thiele who helped move the next album, Blank-Wave Arcade, towards a more dance and techno influenced sound. The album was an underground hit. Partway through the creation of the morose Danse Macabre, The Faint added Dapose, a death metal guitarist formerly of LEAD. Danse Macabre was also a critical and commercial success and has helped to establish a wider fanbase for the band."

[reproduced or excerpted from the Wikipedia article "The Faint" and its use is thus licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License]

Bandega Interview with Joel Peterson of The Faint (December 2008)

The Faint did it and it felt right.

Q: How have your shows changed over the years? Has your perspective on performing live changed?
A: The shows have definitely changed over the years. We started out in dingy basements and even then we felt the need to try and control the environment during the show. We would set up some ordinary flood lights, tape some colored gels to them, and I would turn them on and off in time with the music with my feet using a strange little pedal board/power strip thing. As the shows got bigger and the rooms got more "professional" we started figuring how to program lights to be in sync with the music and started getting interested in video. That is where we are still at, just now everything is way more expensive and more time consuming.

Q: Describe the most memorable live show you've played.
A: The blank-wave arcade album release show sticks out in my memory. It was in Omaha at an all ages punk club called the Cog Factory. It was the first time i felt that an audience really understood and appreciated the music that was in my head. They were so encouraging and seemingly proud of us. Even thinking of it now gives me chills.

Q: What venue do you consider to be your "home", where you feel most comfortable, with the crowd and the place itself?
A: Wow, this is a hard one. We have had a lot of really fun shows and felt at home in so many places. I simply don't think I can answer this one.

Q: Describe the most enjoyable show you've ever experienced as a fan.
A: Sonic Youth at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. I was there scoring a film and was working on it for days and days without much sleep and was able to break away for a couple of hours to go see them. During their encore they played a song called "shaking hell" and it just floored me: chills, tears, everything.

Q: It sounds like your recent move - to start up your own label (blank.wav) - has worked out well so far, with the band really enjoying the resulting freedom. Is it something you'd recommend to other indie bands? Any advice, in general, about going with a label or striking out on your own?
A: It has been a lot of work and put us into pretty deep debt but I wouldn't have it any other way. I believe in what we do and I like the feeling of being out on a limb with it. I don't really have any great advice, just do it if it feels right. If it doesn't, don't.

Submit a show review for this band Please log in to use this feature