The Faint
Neptune Theatre, Seattle, Wa
05.30.14
The Omaha Sound bore down on the walls of the Neptune Friday night, as fans arrived en masse to take part and revel in this long-awaited show. Yes folks, after six agonizing years, The Faint are out and about again, this time touting their new album, Doom Abuse.
Let me be the first to say that their hiatus hasn’t slowed them down one bit. They’re still boiling up that electronic, new wave, indie, dance-punk stew as hot as ever.
With the vat churning and the heat dialed up, volumes of smoke and an ever-present, spectacular light show filled the venue as the crowd began to get their sweat on. The bodies on stage also partook, led by the energy of singer Todd Fink, who took every opportunity to find some space and strike a pose. While Jacob Thiele managed to steal eyes to the left side of the stage with his keyboard swinging antics, guitarist Dapose head-banged along with some snappy finger work. The pounding from drummer Clark Baechle continued as the lights showcased his kit and scurried back out into the blurry crowd. The slightly haunting, yet upbeat echo of Fink’s voice reverberated between four walls and on into the night. The Faint’s collage of hits weaved through a well-orchestrated set list, as older gems were paired with b-side rarities such as Take Me to the Hospital, in addition to a healthy portion of songs from their new album.
In their own fantastic niche, The Faint has built another layer on their musical pyramid, and has again elevated their sound with their latest release. If they are at all inclined, they should really look into pioneering a workout video series, or buying stock in dancing shoes. As a teenager, I saw these guys perform multiple times in Florida, as well as a knockout show at the Slowdown in Omaha years back. If side ventures aren’t in their future plans, let it be known that I will always buy a ticket for a chance to see them live. They are, back to front, amazing, and always worth the wait.
The Faint Set list:
Animal Needs
The Geeks Were Right
Desperate Guys
Mental Radio
Your Retro Career Melted
Victim Convenience
Posed to Death
I Disappear
Evil Voices
Let the Poison Spill From Your Throat
Damage Control
Take Me to the Hospital
Dropkick the Punks
The Conductor
Help in the Head
Dress Code
Agenda Suicide
Scapegoat
Worked Up So Sexual
(Encore):
Lesson from the Darkness
Paranoiattack
Glass Danse
Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini
The Faint
