The Faint
Encyclopedia
The Faint is an American indie rock
band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska
, the band consists of Todd Fink
, Jacob Thiele
, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle
. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst
(of Bright Eyes, with whom the Faint toured in 2005). He quit shortly after the band was formed, though the Faint continued to share a spot with Bright Eyes on Saddle Creek Records
.
Growing up, Fink, Petersen, and Baechle skateboarded
in their free time until Fink developed knee problems, which shifted their hobbies towards making music. The band originally consisted of Clark Baechle
, Todd Fink
(formerly Todd Baechle), and Joel Petersen. They signed to Saddle Creek Records
and released a few singles, but were unable to establish widespread sales. After adding Matt Bowen, the Faint released Media
. At the end of 1998 Jacob Thiele
joined the band, and shortly thereafter Matt Bowen was replaced by Ethan Jones. They toured the US playing what would become the songs that would comprise the next album, Blank-Wave Arcade
which had a more dance and techno influenced sound and was an underground hit. Before recording the album however, Jones left the band and was replaced on bass guitar by Joel Petersen, who played both bass and guitar on the album. Partway through the creation of Danse Macabre
, the Faint added Dapose, a death metal
guitarist formerly of LEAD. Their next album, recorded with Mike Mogis
and released in 2004, was called Wet from Birth
.
In May 2008, the Faint announced that they had split from Saddle Creek and that their fifth studio album would be self released under their own blank.wav imprint. The album, entitled Fasciinatiion
, was released on August 5, 2008 in the U.S. The first single from the album is "The Geeks Were Right" which was released on Boys Noize
Records. It was also announced that the band would tour North America with British electronic group Ladytron
during the spring.
Since the release of Fasciinatiion
, three of the band members, Clark Baechle
, Todd Fink
and Jacob Thiele
have been quietly, with little advertising, performing under the name Depressed Buttons, playing remixes of other artists, and DJing for various small clubs and venues.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, the band consists of Todd Fink
Todd Fink
Todd Fink from Omaha, Nebraska is the lead singer of the band The Faint. He attended Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska....
, Jacob Thiele
Jacob Thiele
Jacob Thiele is the keyboardist and backup vocals in the band The Faint.-References:...
, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle
Clark Baechle
Clark Alan Baechle is the drummer in the band The Faint. He also played in another Nebraskan band, Park Ave. He has also played on many releases and tours for Bright Eyes, playing drums and clarinet...
. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
(of Bright Eyes, with whom the Faint toured in 2005). He quit shortly after the band was formed, though the Faint continued to share a spot with Bright Eyes on Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
.
Growing up, Fink, Petersen, and Baechle skateboarded
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
in their free time until Fink developed knee problems, which shifted their hobbies towards making music. The band originally consisted of Clark Baechle
Clark Baechle
Clark Alan Baechle is the drummer in the band The Faint. He also played in another Nebraskan band, Park Ave. He has also played on many releases and tours for Bright Eyes, playing drums and clarinet...
, Todd Fink
Todd Fink
Todd Fink from Omaha, Nebraska is the lead singer of the band The Faint. He attended Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska....
(formerly Todd Baechle), and Joel Petersen. They signed to Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
and released a few singles, but were unable to establish widespread sales. After adding Matt Bowen, the Faint released Media
Media (album)
Media is the first studio album by New Wave revivalists, The Faint. It was released on March 24, 1998. A clear style change can be seen after this album's release, moving from a more Post-hardcore influenced style to New Wave....
. At the end of 1998 Jacob Thiele
Jacob Thiele
Jacob Thiele is the keyboardist and backup vocals in the band The Faint.-References:...
joined the band, and shortly thereafter Matt Bowen was replaced by Ethan Jones. They toured the US playing what would become the songs that would comprise the next album, Blank-Wave Arcade
Blank-Wave Arcade
Blank-Wave Arcade is the second studio album by the New Wave band The Faint. It was released on November 1, 1999.This album is the 28th release of Saddle Creek Records.-Track listing:# "Sex Is Personal" – 3:37# "Call Call" – 2:26...
which had a more dance and techno influenced sound and was an underground hit. Before recording the album however, Jones left the band and was replaced on bass guitar by Joel Petersen, who played both bass and guitar on the album. Partway through the creation of Danse Macabre
Danse Macabre (album)
Danse Macabre is the third studio album by the Omaha based New Wave band The Faint. It was released on August 21, 2001 in the U.S. and roughly a year later in the UK, where it has enjoyed similar popularity....
, the Faint added Dapose, a death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
guitarist formerly of LEAD. Their next album, recorded with Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
and released in 2004, was called Wet from Birth
Wet from Birth
Wet from Birth is the fourth studio album by the New Wave band The Faint. It was released on September 14, 2004.-Track listing:# "Desperate Guys" – 3:06# "How Could I Forget?" – 3:17# "I Disappear" – 4:07# "Southern Belles in London Sing" – 3:31...
.
In May 2008, the Faint announced that they had split from Saddle Creek and that their fifth studio album would be self released under their own blank.wav imprint. The album, entitled Fasciinatiion
Fasciinatiion
Fasciinatiion is the fifth full-length studio album from Nebraska act The Faint. The album was released in US on August 5, 2008.The album is the first full-length album released outside of Saddle Creek and on the new label blank.wav...
, was released on August 5, 2008 in the U.S. The first single from the album is "The Geeks Were Right" which was released on Boys Noize
Boys Noize
Boys Noize is the stage name of Alexander Ridha, a German electronic music producer and DJ. It is similar to the name of Ridha's label, Boysnoize Records, which he established in 2005...
Records. It was also announced that the band would tour North America with British electronic group Ladytron
Ladytron
Ladytron are an English electronic band formed in 1999 in Liverpool, Merseyside. The group consists of Helen Marnie , Mira Aroyo , Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu .Their sound blends electropop with New Wave and shoegazing elements. Ladytron described their sound as "electronic pop"...
during the spring.
Since the release of Fasciinatiion
Fasciinatiion
Fasciinatiion is the fifth full-length studio album from Nebraska act The Faint. The album was released in US on August 5, 2008.The album is the first full-length album released outside of Saddle Creek and on the new label blank.wav...
, three of the band members, Clark Baechle
Clark Baechle
Clark Alan Baechle is the drummer in the band The Faint. He also played in another Nebraskan band, Park Ave. He has also played on many releases and tours for Bright Eyes, playing drums and clarinet...
, Todd Fink
Todd Fink
Todd Fink from Omaha, Nebraska is the lead singer of the band The Faint. He attended Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska....
and Jacob Thiele
Jacob Thiele
Jacob Thiele is the keyboardist and backup vocals in the band The Faint.-References:...
have been quietly, with little advertising, performing under the name Depressed Buttons, playing remixes of other artists, and DJing for various small clubs and venues.
Band members
- Todd FinkTodd FinkTodd Fink from Omaha, Nebraska is the lead singer of the band The Faint. He attended Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska....
— vocals, keyboards (1995–present) - Jacob ThieleJacob ThieleJacob Thiele is the keyboardist and backup vocals in the band The Faint.-References:...
— keyboards, backup vocals (1999–present) - Dapose (Michael Dappen) — guitars (2001–present)
- Joel Petersen — bass (1995–present)
- Clark BaechleClark BaechleClark Alan Baechle is the drummer in the band The Faint. He also played in another Nebraskan band, Park Ave. He has also played on many releases and tours for Bright Eyes, playing drums and clarinet...
— drums, percussion (1995–present)
Albums
- Sine SierraSine SierraSine Sierra is The Faint's debut album, released in 1995. At the time, the band was known as Norman Bailer. The album was released by Lumberjack Records on cassette only. Conor Oberst, of Bright Eyes, was in the band at the time...
(Norman Bailer) (1995 · Lumberjack) - MediaMedia (album)Media is the first studio album by New Wave revivalists, The Faint. It was released on March 24, 1998. A clear style change can be seen after this album's release, moving from a more Post-hardcore influenced style to New Wave....
(1998 · Saddle Creek) - Blank-Wave ArcadeBlank-Wave ArcadeBlank-Wave Arcade is the second studio album by the New Wave band The Faint. It was released on November 1, 1999.This album is the 28th release of Saddle Creek Records.-Track listing:# "Sex Is Personal" – 3:37# "Call Call" – 2:26...
(1999 · Saddle Creek) - Blank-Wave Arcade RemixesBlank-Wave Arcade RemixesBlank-Wave Arcade Remixes is the first remix album by the indie rock band The Faint. It was released on May 29th 2000. The LP was released as a picture disc in limited quantity .-Track listing:# "In Concert "...
(2000 · Saddle Creek) - Danse MacabreDanse Macabre (album)Danse Macabre is the third studio album by the Omaha based New Wave band The Faint. It was released on August 21, 2001 in the U.S. and roughly a year later in the UK, where it has enjoyed similar popularity....
(2001 · Saddle Creek) - Danse Macabre RemixesDanse Macabre RemixesDanse Macabre Remixes is the second remix album by the indie rock band The Faint, with remixes from their 2001 album Danse Macabre. It was released on April 1, 2003...
(2003 · AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
) - Wet from BirthWet from BirthWet from Birth is the fourth studio album by the New Wave band The Faint. It was released on September 14, 2004.-Track listing:# "Desperate Guys" – 3:06# "How Could I Forget?" – 3:17# "I Disappear" – 4:07# "Southern Belles in London Sing" – 3:31...
(2004 · Saddle Creek) #99 US - FasciinatiionFasciinatiionFasciinatiion is the fifth full-length studio album from Nebraska act The Faint. The album was released in US on August 5, 2008.The album is the first full-length album released outside of Saddle Creek and on the new label blank.wav...
(2008 · blank.wav) #46 US
Singles and EPs
- Mote/Dust (2001 · Gold Standard LaboratoriesGold Standard LaboratoriesGold Standard Laboratories or GSL was an independent record label which was founded in 1993 in Boulder, Colorado by Sonny Kay. In 2000, it was relocated to San Diego, California, USA, and two years later, to Los Angeles. It was headquartered in L.A...
) - Agenda SuicideAgenda Suicide"Agenda Suicide" is the first single released from the album, Danse Macabre by The Faint. It was released only in the UK, February 26, 2002 on City Slang. The song is about overwork of people, to get "pretty little homes"...
(2002 · City Slang) - I Disappear (2004 · Saddle Creek)
- Desperate Guys (2004 · Saddle Creek)
- The Geeks Were Right (2008 · blank.wav)
- Mirror Error (2009 · Boysnoize)
Splits
- Music Me All Over (Split 7") (Norman Bailer) (Rolling Hill Records and Lumberjack Records)
- The Faint/Ex-Action Figures (Split 7") (1999 · Saddle Creek)
Remixes
- Radio 4Radio 4 (band)Radio 4 is a band from Brooklyn who formed in 1999. They claim that their sound, which has been described as "danceable punk", is "made in New York, is about New York, and sounds like New York"....
- Dance to the Underground (2002 · City Slang) - Joy ElectricJoy ElectricJoy Electric is the brand label for a series of electropop/synth pop productions by Ronnie Martin. Martin began producing music under the Joy Electric name in 1994, after the demise of Dance House Children, a band Ronnie was in with his brother Jason Martin of Starflyer 59. Starflyer 59 bass player...
- We Are Rock (2002 · BEC RecordingsBEC RecordingsBEC Recordings is a Christian rock record label that is a subsidiary of Tooth and Nail Records. The label was formed in 1997 in partnership with the EMI Christian Music Group....
) - Yeah Yeah YeahsYeah Yeah YeahsYeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O, guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complemented in live performances by second guitarist David Pajo, who joined as a touring...
- Y ControlY Control"Y Control" is a single by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, from their debut album Fever to Tell. The name of the song refers to the emotional control of a female, referring to the male Y chromosome. Pitchfork Media listed "Y Control" as the 213th best song of the decade...
(2004 · Interscope RecordsInterscope RecordsInterscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
/ Polydor RecordsPolydor RecordsPolydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
) - Nine Inch NailsNine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
- Meet Your MasterYear Zero Remixed-Vinyl:-Critical reception:Year Zero Remixed received generally positive reviews. Virgin Media's review described the album as "a real cornucopia of treats" and "Highly recommended." Pitchfork Media's review, however, criticized the album, writing that it "lacks cohesion and is predictably...
(2007)
Compilations
- Nothing Left Fanzine #8 CD Sampler (1998)
- Song: "Acting: On Campus Television"
- Messages: Modern Synthpop Artists Cover OMD (2001 · Ninthwave)
- Song: "Enola GayEnola Gay (song)"Enola Gay" is a song by British synthpop band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark . It was written by frontman Andy McCluskey, and appears on the band's second album, Organisation . It was released as a 7" single on 26 September 1980...
"
- Song: "Enola Gay
- Saddle Creek 50Saddle Creek 50Saddle Creek 50 is a compilation by Saddle Creek Records in honor of being the label's 50th album release. It was released in 2003 and features one album track and one non-album track by each of the bands then recording for the label.-Disc 1:...
(2002 · Saddle Creek)- Songs: "Worked Up So Sexual", "Take Me to the Hospital"
- Liberation: Songs to Benefit PETALiberation: Songs to Benefit PETALiberation: Songs to Benefit PETA is a compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label in 2003. As the title implies, it is a benefit album for the animal rights organization, PETA.-Track listing:# "Remedy" - Hot Water Music – 2:38...
(2003 · Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
)- Song: "Agenda Suicide"
- Lagniappe: A Saddle Creek Benefit for Hurricane KatrinaLagniappe (album)Lagniappe is a compilation album put together by Omaha record label Saddle Creek, after the events of Hurricane Katrina. It is a benefit album, and all profits from its sale are donated to the Red Cross' relief efforts in New Orleans....
(2005 · Saddle Creek)- Song: "Hypnotised"
External links
- The Faint on FreeIndie
- The Faint at Cargo
- Drop Kick The Faint
Interviews
- Interview with The Faint on Shockhound.com
- Under The Starry Nitez!
- Interview at wenn's rockt! WebTV
- Lazy-i Interview: November 1999
- Lazy-i Interview: August 2001
- Lazy-i Interview: April 2003
- Lazy-i.com Column on American Recordings
- The Faint beatLawrence.com video interview
- Interview with The Faint at Short and Sweet NYC on 8/12/08
- Interview with The Faint: October 2008
- 2008 The Faint Interview at Bandega.com