Listening to Faith No More…anyone else?

[Ivan May]

Formed in Oakland, CA, in 1982, Faith No More was viewed first as an alternative rock band, but due to constant touring with the likes of Metallica and Guns N Roses, they soon found themselves stuck in the genres of hard rock and what would eventually become the funk metal genre. The group was led by classically trained keyboardist Roddy Bottum, bassist Billy Gould and drummer Mike Puffy Bordin. They began by covering various hard rock and heavy metal songs, including an unforgettable rendition of War Pigs by Black Sabbath. After a then unknown Courtney Love briefly sang with the group, Chuck Martin was recruited in 1984, and their debut, We Care A Lot, was released the following year.

 

the song was eventually re-recorded and remixed for their second album, Introduce Yourself, in 1987, and was also covered by Korn in 2016. The album also featured the creepy slower song Anne’s Song.

 

however, in 1989, Chuck Martins escalating drug and alcohol issues forced him out of the band. But when the group hired his replacement, Mike Patton, they had no idea how influential he would be to the band’s success. The Real Thing was released the same year, and the track Epic proved to be a big hit, even making the billboard top 40.

 

 

However, 1992’s Angel Dust was a decent effort, but didn’t quite replicate the success of The Real Thing. It did earn a few Grammy nominations, thanks to Jim Martin also proving crucial to the band with his loosely funky guitar solos. It featured the tracks Caffeine and Land of Sunshine.

 

 

Angel Dust would also prove to be the last album to feature their hippie guitarist Jim Martin, whose relationship with his other band mates, especially Mike Patton, would grow strained. He was replaced briefly by Trey Spruance, and more permanently by Dean Menta and Jon Hudson. 1995’s King For A Day: Fool For A Lifetime and 1997’s Album Of The Year also sold well and continued to replicate their creative style, but the band would splinter soon after. Mike Puffy Bordin would collaborate with and tour with Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, while Roddy Bottum would perform with a few side projects and enjoy a second life as a composer of scores for many movies and TV shows. The group reformed in 2009 and continued to tour sporadically, releasing a new album, Sol Invictus in 2015. As a matter of fact, Faith No More’s fan base includes Guns N Roses bassist Duff McKagan and Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci.

 

If you guys like Faith No More please let me know.

[conundrum]

My favourite FNM song:

 

 

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

One of MANY FNM songs I love is “Stripsearch”.  So much fun to sing!