The band consists of Clark Baechle, Todd Fink (formerly known as Todd 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 electronica 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. Their 4th album, released in 2004, is called Wet from Birth.
In 2002 bassist Joel Petersen released the first album from his solo project, Broken Spindles, and he has since released two subsequent albums and had a U.S. tour. Guitarist Dapose also has a side-project, Vverevvolf Grehv, releasing his first album in 2008.
On December 12th, 2005, The Faint announced that they have moved out of The Orifice (a rented out warehouse they used to record Wet from Birth) and into ENAMEL, a 100-year-old building where they recorded the tracks for their next album, Fasciinatiion.
1995 | Sine Sierra (Norman Bailer) | Lumberjack
1998 | Media | CD Saddle Creek [LBJ-21]
1999 | The Faint / Ex-Action Figures (split) | 7» Saddle Creek [LBJ-25]
1999 | Blank-Wave Arcade | LP/CD Saddle Creek [LBJ-29]
2000 | Blank-Wave Arcade Remixes | 12»PD Saddle Creek [LBJ-33]
2001 | Danse Macabre | LP/CD Saddle Creek [LBJ-37]
2001 | Mote / Dust | 12»EP Gold Standard Laboratories [GSL 47]
2001 | Agenda Suicide | CDS Fierce Panda [NING 117]
2003 | Danse Macabre Remixes | 3LP/CD Astralwerks [ASC 83269]
2003 | The Conductor | 12»EP Astralwerks [ASC 83862]
2004 | I Disappear | 12»/CDS Saddle Creek [LBJ-66]
2004 | Wet From Birth | LP/CD Saddle Creek [LBJ-67]
2004 | Desperate Guys Saddle Creek
2008 | The Geeks Were Right Blank.wav
2008 | Fasciinatiion Blank.wav
06. Victim Convenience
The Faint Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I got two steps away and then I turned
The screen was calling I could not resist
You could find a bead of light
You can cause the outside window to dull
Pause until the evening turns
And it's a.m. routine job or the pills
We're all on cable I V drips
Let red cells pix elate us
Constant help needed to unhook
Call it 'Victim Convenience'
I took two steps out of the room
And I stepped back toward the door
And tried again, a conversation
And it went like this
I could talk for hours to you
I could watch your mouth and eyes look shut
The controller's lost and I'd
Rather commit power than hear this out
We're all on cable I V drips
Let red cells pix elate us
Constant help needed to unhook
Call it 'Victim Convenience'
The lyrics in The Faint's song "Victim Convenience" touch on themes of addiction and dependence, both on technology and on substance. The first verse describes a struggle with an addiction to screens, as the singer steps out of the door but is drawn back by the allure of the screen. The second verse seems to be about a different addiction, perhaps to prescription pills, as the singer references the routine job of taking them.
The chorus ties together these themes with the phrase "Victim Convenience," suggesting that both technology and substances can be used as a crutch or an escape, but ultimately lead to a sense of victimization. The final verse brings the addiction back to technology, as the singer acknowledges their desire to engage in a conversation but is distracted by the controller (presumably of a video game console), and ultimately prefers the feeling of power that technology provides.
Overall, the lyrics highlight the fine line between enjoyment and addiction, and the potential dangerous consequences of relying too heavily on substances or technology to cope with the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I took two steps out of the door
I started to leave but didn't get far
And I got two steps away and then I turned
I changed my mind and went back inside
The screen was calling I could not resist
I was drawn in by technology and couldn't ignore it
You could find a bead of light
There's always a glimmer of hope
You can cause the outside window to dull
You can make the world seem less vibrant and exciting
Pause until the evening turns
Wait until things calm down and it's safe to act
And it's a.m. routine job or the pills
Relying on mundane tasks and medication to get through the day
We're all on cable I V drips
We're all hooked up to technology like a lifeline
Let red cells pix elate us
The constant stimulation of screens is affecting our physiology
Constant help needed to unhook
It's difficult to disconnect from technology once we're hooked
Call it 'Victim Convenience'
Our dependence on technology has made us passive victims
I took two steps out of the room
I tried to leave the situation
And I stepped back toward the door
But I reconsidered and stayed
And tried again, a conversation
I attempted to communicate and connect
And it went like this
But it didn't go well
I could talk for hours to you
I have a lot to say and want to share it with you
I could watch your mouth and eyes look shut
But you're not interested in listening or engaging
The controller's lost and I'd
I feel helpless and frustrated
Rather commit power than hear this out
I'd rather exert control over something else than deal with this situation
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave D
Godamn