Spurred by a lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid similarly seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to the post-Nevermind, panic-based music commerce in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song ”Smaller And Smaller”
Written by Patton (L); Gould, Bordin, Bottum, Wallace (M)
Released 1992
Appears onAngel Dust album
Produced by Matt Wallace
Guitars by Jim Martin
Key lyric ”Someday the rains will come/My blistered hands tell me/Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.”
Spurred by a lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid similarly seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to the post-Nevermind, panic-based music commerce in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song ”Digging The Grave”
Written by Patton (L); Patton, Spruance, Gould (M)
Released 1995
Appears onKing For A Day, Fool For A Lifetime album
Produced by Andy Wallace
Guitars by Trey Spruance (Secret Chiefs 3, Mr. Bungle)
Key lyric ”I know you have a reason why/That knot is better left untied/I just went and undid mine/It takes some time.”
Single? Yes, King‘s first and a thematic continuation of “Midlife Crisis” and “A Small Victory.”
The climate Released four weeks ahead of its host album, “Digging” ended what seemed like ages of tense anticipation for FNM’s follow-up to Angel Dust. What better way to enter a new music era than with lotsa screaming, a drum solo, and no trace of FNM’s trademark keyboards?
Awesome song elevated to supra-awesomeness by chemistry shared by Mike Patton and his Mr. Bungle bandmate Trey Spruance. Where Patton shouts pitchlessly [sic], Spruance unfurls big, yawning broken chords; alternately, Patton’s measure-long tones often sit atop slamming Spruance downstrokes. Tasty.
Didja know? There’s a third harmony part down low in the second and third choruses’ ”comf-ter-bulllllllllllll”. I didn’t detect it until like 1999.
Spurred by a lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid similarly seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to the post-Nevermind, panic-based recording industry in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song “From Out Of Nowhere”
Written by Patton (L); Gould, Bottum (M)
Released 1989
Appears onThe Real Thing album
Produced by Matt Wallace
Guitars by Jim Martin
Key lyric ”Don’t know if I’ll laugh or cry.”
Single? Yes, The Real Thing’s first. And so life began.
Spurred by a lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid similarly seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to the post-Nevermind, panic-based music commerce in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song ”Last Cup Of Sorrow”
Written by Patton (L); Patton, Gould (M)
Released 1997
Appears onAlbum of the Year album
Produced by Roli Mosimann (Swans, Wiseblood), Billy Gould
Guitars by Jon Hudson
Key lyric ”This is getting old and so are you.”
Single? Yes, after lead single “Ashes To Ashes” and before final AotY single “Stripsearch.” I heard it for the first time on the radio; I was in Minneapolis and it came on as I was turning west off 15th onto Como early on a Sunday. So thank you for that, radio! But fuck you for everything since.
The climate I don’t pretend to understand Faith No More’s expectations with “Sorrow,” the dreary, occasionally threadbare second single from a record called Album of the Year. And is that album title an ironic commentary on the set’s unsexy, sad tone? An expression of dislike for the project? Anybody help me out here?
Awesome song elevated to supra-awesomeness by one of history’s awesomest choruses. Lyric + harmonies = Mike Patton rulz.
Didja know? The video for “Sorrow” co-starred a super-hot Jennifer Jason Leigh and referred to Hitchcock’s Vertigo? Well, I didn’t know that until the internet. Thank you for that, internet!
Spurred by a lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid similarly seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to the post-Nevermind, panic-based music commerce in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song ”The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies”
Written by Patton (L); Gould, Bordin, Patton (M)
Released 1995
Appears onKing For A Day, Fool For A Lifetime album
Produced by Andy Wallace
Guitars by Trey Spruance (Secret Chiefs 3, Mr. Bungle)
Key lyric ”If you don’t make a friend now/One might make you.”
Single? Planned and scrapped, according to Wikipedia. But “Enemies” went out to commercial radio. I heard it once srs!
The climate One of FNM’s hardest-rocking jamz, “Enemies” represents another FNM theme: No matter where you are, or whose company you keep, or how well you think you’ve succeeded at life, no matter what … there might be someone hating you from across the room. Worse, it’s like the someone wants to hate your guts. “Happy Birthday, fucker.”
Awesome song elevated to supra-awesomeness by cinema, for at least the second time already here on 31Do’FNM on MS.net. For example, imagine this in your brain: Right around 2:38, Patton’s vocals rest, and a new, competing guitar lick is introduced and plays against the main riff, right? So, assign each of those two guitar parts to a shot in your imaginary brain movie: the main riff (the triumphant one) is you toasting champagne with friends, laughing gaily in a turtleneck; an instant later, the descending riffs accompanies a cut-away to Mike Patton standing just beyond the head of your table, clenching his fists and staring at you. The shot goes back to you being all super-thrilled to be you (duh-duh-duh-DUHHH duh-duh-DUHHHHH); back to him, sweating and thrilled to be near the time of your punching (Dehhh-deh dee-dee doo-doo doo-doo). You: A winner. Him: On the move. The song ends just when you notice that he’s upon you, fist cocked. Smiling.
Didja know? I’ve discovered a new and horrible way to break terrorists. I got the idea when I was listening to “Enemies” on my stereo on repeat, and then the youtube above started playing exactly one beat behind the stereo. I listened to the entire song all echoing itself this way and it was insane. I learned that, truly, you don’t do heavy metal in doubly. Everybody knows that.
Spurred by a lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid similarly seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to post-Nevermind, panic-based music commerce in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song ”Caffeine”
Written by Patton (L); Gould, Patton (M)
Released 1992
Appears onAngel Dust album
Produced by Matt Wallace
Guitars by Jim Martin
Key lyric ”The world expects the pose/It’s perfectly natural/Loosen up”
Single? No.
The climate In 1989, The Real Thing‘s title track hinted at Faith No More’s capability for foreboding, violent songcraft; three years later on Angel Dust‘s second song, “Caffeine,” that hatched into full-bore bloodlust.
Awesome song elevated to supra-awesomeness by cinematic storytelling, found in large supply on Angel Dust. I don’t know what “Caffeine” is about (the aftermath of a murder?), but I know it would fit snugly over the end credits for Le Samurai (“Make contact/Up to my neck/I confess in quicksand”), Irreversible (“Do you have something to tell me?”), and Bad Lieutenant (“I’m warning you/I’m warning you/I’m fucking you/I’m warning you”).
Didja know? The lyrics to “Caffeine” are the product of a Mike Patton sleep deprivation experiment. Also, keyboardist Roddy Bottum stated at the time that Patton used no drugs except for caffeine. Wait really?
Spurred by an lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid similarly seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to post-Nevermind, panic-based music commerce in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song “Falling To Pieces”
Written by Patton (L); Gould, Bottum, Martin (M)
Released 1989
Appears onThe Real Thing album
Produced by Matt Wallace
Guitars by Jim Martin
Key lyric “Because the plot thickens everyday/And the pieces of my puzzle keep crumblin’ away/But I know there’s a picture beneath”
Single? Yes, The Real Thing’s third and final (preceded by “From Out Of Nowhere” and “Epic”)
The climate Faith No More landed a top-10 single with “Epic,” and followed with another brightly melodic, bouncy, rappy jam. It was around this time that unofficial accusations of imitation began to emit from the Red Hot Chili Peppers camp. Lulz.
Awesome song elevated to supra-awesomeness by Mike Patton, boredom-buster: Over three closing choruses (at 3:31) — industry standard for a single — he tweaks the by-then familiar refrain and then just face-rapes it via awesome ad-libs. That final “whoa-ooh-whoa-oooh-whoa-oh-ohhhhhhh-hohhhh-ooh” sent RHCP singer Anthony Kiedis under a bridge to draw some blood.
Didja know? Stupid jerks Faith No More retired “Falling” from live sets by 1993. Okay fine, it must be annoying for bassist Billy Gould to do that one-finger intro riff a billion times but cmonnn. Play the jam.
Spurred by a lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid similarly seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to post-Nevermind, panic-based music commerce in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song ”Stripsearch”
Written by Patton (L); Hudson, Patton, Bordin, Gould (M)
Released 1997
Appears onAlbum of the Year album
Produced by Roli Mosimann (Swans, Wiseblood), Billy Gould
Guitars by Jon Hudson
Key lyric ”Don’t be ashamed/Next in line/Close one eye/Just walk by”
Single? Yes, AotY‘s third and final (preceded by “Ashes To Ashes” and “Last Cup Of Sorrow”)
The climate Faith No More might’ve been ailing by Album of the Year, their most grim and least cohesive release with Patton. If “Ashes” and “Sorrow” defined band mood, then “Stripsearch” hammered at it: despair. And the rise of Limp Bizkit was still to come. A 1999 FNM record would’ve been interesting.
Awesome song elevated to supra-awesomeness by a few awesome touches: There’s that cool squelchy loop, Patton’s cry-for-help backing vocals, and the track’s guitarlessness ended by Hudson’s starkly beautiful solo — that last thing makes a fan want more FNM with Hudson.
Didja know? Bassist Billy Gould was quoted saying that the five-note loop saved “Stripsearch” from sounding like Queensryche and helped it to sound like Portishead. When asked for comment, Geoffs Tate and Barrow replied, “We wish.”
Spurred by a lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid similarly seminal acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to the post-Nevermind, panic-based recording industry in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song “Ricochet”
Written by Patton (L); Gould, Bordin, Patton (M)
Released 1995
Appears onKing For A Day, Fool For A Lifetime album
Produced by Andy Wallace
Guitars by Trey Spruance (Secret Chiefs 3, Mr. Bungle)
Key lyric “And I’d rather be shot in the face/Than hear what you’re gonna say”
Awesome song elevated to supra-awesomeness by Patton’s alternating of wide-open, cracky shouts and perfect pitched singing, sometimes in the same phrase (see 3:27). Impossible to fake. Studdd.
Single? Yes, King‘s second (preceded by “Digging The Grave” and followed by “Evidence”)
The climate “Ricochet” faced Modern Rock radio competition from such timeless greats as Better Than Ezra (“Good”), Live (“Lightning Crashes” barf), and Bush (“Comedown”).
Didja know? it’s been reported that “Ricochet” is shorthanded as “Nirvana” on setlists because it was written on the day of Kurt Cobain’s death.
Spurred by a lazy crossword clue in The Onion (36 down, four letters: “Faith No More’s only hit”), MetalSucks contributor Anso DF dedicates every single day in August to celebration and exploration of the San Francisco alt-metal greats. Here we prove that history’s greatest band landed more than one commercial hit (crossword answer: “Epic” natch), we revel in FNM’s embarrassing wealth of winning album tracks (themselves often fit for chart topping), and we dip into the staggering best of the b-sides (ditto). Along the way, we survey the context of FNM’s big break (amid comparably rad acts Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, and Ween) to post-Nevermind panic-based music commerce in which the brilliantly versatile, fearless powerhouse band operated until their 1998 demise. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Song ”Land Of Sunshine”
Written by Patton (L); Gould, Bottum (M)
Released 1992
Appears onAngel Dust album
Produced by Matt Wallace
Guitars by Jim Martin
Key lyric ”Do you feel sometimes that age is against you?”
Single? Yes, promo only (preceded by “Midlife Crisis” and followed by “A Small Victory”)
The climate As the opening track of Angel Dust, “Land Of Sunshine” welcomed listeners back to a now bleaker land of Faith No More, in which singer Mike Patton — fresh off recording and touring with Mr. Bungle — began to contribute more than just lyrics.
Awesome song elevated to supra-awesomeness by keyboardist Roddy Bottum’s vertiginous, carnivalesque arpeggios throughout the chorus, which underline the song’s — and the band’s — recurring thread that life is seasickness.
Didja know? According to Wikipedia, “Land”‘s lyrics were inspired by fortune cookies and a Church of Scientology questionnaire. Oh so that’s why Tom Cruise bumps this jam.
Thursday, June 30th, 2011 at 12:40pm by Axl Rosenberg
Alright, so I don’t know if anyone remembers this — hell, I didn’t remember it until I did search of the MS archives — but more than three years ago, Korn “guitarist” Munky announced the formation of Fear and the Nervous System, a new supergroup featuring Bad4Good‘s Brooks Wackerman and, INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTINGLY, Faith No More’s Billy Gould.
So. I’ve actually been listening to a LOT of Faith No More for the past week. I couldn’t figure out the origin of the sudden, uncontrollable urge to just put my FNM on “shuffle” and revel in its genius, until I realized it’s almost the one year anniversary of last summer’s glorious FNM reunion shows in Brooklyn. My brain is funny like that; it always recalls anniversaries, even if I’m not consciously aware of them.
And now Fear and the Nervous System have actually released a song, “Choking Victim.” And it’s fucking terrible. So my week has now been like the equivalent of Billy Gould taking me to a secluded private getaway for a long, romantic weekend, and then, right be fore we leave, spitting in my eye, grabbing me, shoved my nose directly into his ass, and farted.
Monday, October 11th, 2010 at 1:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
I would accept an argument that Faith No More are the greatest band of all time. And if I wasn’t lucky enough to see them on their reunion tour (twice!), and then I read that the band had “announced the final date” of said reunion tour, I would probably cry. Like, a lot. It really seems kind of unbelievable that they didn’t end up doing a proper full U.S. tour, doesn’t it? As it stands, there are who even knows how many Faith No More fans who didn’t get to experience that magic that is FNM live in the 21st century.
But if you’re one of the poor bastards who didn’t get to see this most recent trek, fret not! Whereas some bands, like At the Gates, really do just reunite for one last hurrah, bassist Billy Gould has now said in an interview with Consequence of Sound that he believes Faith No More will ride again:
Welcome to “Question of the Week,” a (sometimes) weekly debate amongst the MetalSucks staff regarding a recent hot button issue.
There weren’t any real hot button topics this week, so we decided to just play a fun game that used to keep Vince and Axl occupied for many a lunch period when they were kids:
IF YOU COULD FORM A HEAVY METAL SUPERGROUP WITH ANY 4 - 6 METAL MUSICIANS, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD BE IN THE BAND AND WHY?
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 at 2:30pm by Axl Rosenberg
Poor Vince. We’ve waited all these years to see Faith No More live, and he’s gonna be out of town when they finally make it to New York. But look! Now they’ve announced more dates! One more in NYC and one in Philly! So Vince can finally… wait, what’s that? All three dates are for the same weekend? Oh. Never mind.
Poor, poor Vince. Pity him.
ANYWAY, while it’s great that the band has announced new dates, the way they did it is kinda back-asswards: they played a show at the Warfield in San Francisco on Monday night, and the t-shirts had the new dates on the back, even though the band had yet to announce such dates. Billy Gould subsequently confirmed the dates via Twitter, but that was really silly ’cause, y’know. It was on the shirts so obviously the dates were confirmed.
But, hey. It’s not like FNM have ever really been traditionalists, y’know?
All the upcoming Faith No More U.S. dates after el jumperooni:
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 1:30pm by Gary Suarez
I can’t say I’ve followed everything that Jello Biafra’s done post-Dead Kennedys, but I was quite excited when I heard that Faith No More bassist Billy Gould is part of his new band The Guantanamo School of Medicine. Those familiar with Jello’s two collaborative albums with the Melvins (2004′s Never Breathe What You Can’t See and 2005′s Sieg Howdy) will find the new songs streaming at the band’s MySpace page familiar in style: punky, quirky, and political.
Monday, December 1st, 2008 at 9:57am by Axl Rosenberg
With seemingly every band in the world reuniting right now, it seemed like it was only a matter of time ’til the members of Faith No More decided to tour again. Frankly, there’s just too high a possibility of making a lot of money not to do a reunion tour. I know that’s crass, but we’re all big boys and girls here at MetalSucks so let’s just be real and admit that “We thought playing together again would be fun” is not the driving reason behind most of these reunions.
But I digress.
SO. Kerrang! is reporting this rumor that FNM are, indeed, now getting back together in ’09, and that venues have even been put on hold, etc. Bassist/guy-who-gets-asked-about-being-in-FNM-more-than-anyone-else-who-isn’t Mike Patton, Billy Gould, has been tacitly denying the reunion, but in a manner which I personally find about as convincing as Pamela Anderson’s breasts.
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 at 10:05am by Axl Rosenberg
When Munky bailed on Korn mid-tour earlier this year, we said what most people were already thinking: the dude is done with the band. But at least one reader, the eloquently named “DISTURBED4LIFE,” disagreed, throwing it in our face that Munky had, indeed, re-joined the band later in the tour:
“hes still in the band.. next time get your info right.”
So, yes, I suppose that Munky is still technically in Korn. But Jonathan Davis is doing a solo tour this summer and Munky has announced the formation of a new supergroup, Fear and the Nervous System, so you tell me if these guys still like one another.
ANYWAY, Munky’s new band will feature the guitar player pairing no one was waiting for in Munky and Wes Borland*, and will also include Bad Religion’s Brooks Wackerman on the drums and, on the bass… BILLY FUCKING GOULD.
When 
