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
Conductor
The Faint Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tremolo strings begin with your gesturing wrist
Start the orchestra slow with an elegant air
Then a circular sweep crescendoing swell
Leo Slatkin, Dohnanyi, Previne, Depaur
[Chorus]
Your arms are calling out
You pull the sound from scores of notes
You step the stage and take control
You're conducting Verése in a moment of silence
Your body directs a pulse of wind
Von Karjan, Hampton, Menuhin, Levine
[Chorus: x2]
"Control"
The Faint's song "Conductor" takes on the subject of a conductor leading an orchestra with confidence and elegance. The lyrics describe the conductor's gestures and movements as they begin the performance, specifically highlighting the use of tremolo strings and a "circular sweep crescendoing swell". The song mentions famous conductors like Leo Slatkin, Dohnanyi, Previne, Depaur, Von Karjan, Hampton, Menuhin, and Levine, as if paying tribute to the greats who have shaped the art of conducting.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power and control of the conductor's performance, with their arms waving like a swarm of sound and pulling the sound from scores of notes. The conductor steps onto the stage, takes control of the performance, and directs the orchestra with precision.
The song seems to celebrate the art and passion of conducting, and how a conductor's skills and movements can bring a composition to life. The use of famous conductors in the lyrics also emphasizes how conducting has been a significant aspect of classical music for centuries.
Line by Line Meaning
Confident with your back to the audience
You are assured as you stand facing away from the viewers
Tremolo strings begin with your gesturing wrist
You commence the playing of the violin strings by moving your hand rapidly to produce a trembling effect
Start the orchestra slow with an elegant air
You initiate the orchestra's performance at a calm pace with a refined manner
Then a circular sweep crescendoing swell
Your sweeping circular movements of the hands build up a gradual increase in the sound of the music to reach a climax
Leo Slatkin, Dohnanyi, Previne, Depaur
You call out the names of famous conductors who have talent that you admire
Your arms are calling out
As you wave your arms, you signal for the sound to come forth
They wave like a swarm of sound
Your arms move rhythmically like a group of notes turning into a swarm of sound
You pull the sound from scores of notes
You evoke the music, and it emerges from multiple notes being played by the orchestra
You step the stage and take control
You walk to the platform and masterfully seize control of the performance
You're conducting Verése in a moment of silence
You are leading the orchestra in playing Verése's music during a silent part of the song
Your body directs a pulse of wind
Your body language commands the flow of air that carries the music's sound
Von Karjan, Hampton, Menuhin, Levine
You mention the names of conductors the audience would know and respect
Chorus
This line marks the beginning of the chorus, which highlights your exceptional ability to control and create music
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luciempocket
I swear this whole album lives rent free in my mind since first listened to it 8 years ago. These hooks, this spooky underground yet fun ambient it gives, so infectious, always fresh. Bless you The Faint for making one of the best dance-punk records ever.
@cyrusvanbeethoven4626
I was probably 16 years old on the way to a party with one of my best friends at the time. He had a tendency to drive exceptionally fast, always speeding which was quite annoying being that we typically had some sort of incriminating contraband on us.. So I lived in paranoia of the cops pulling us over. On this particular day he put this song on (loud - nice speakers, he had a beamer - crashed it eventually, lol duh), and I distinctly remember actually enjoying the fact that he was speeding as we listened to this. Was a good night too :)
@samdekeyrel8246
Cyrus Van Beethoven that's a good memory. I can feel myself in your shoes listening to song. Like I was there too. This song takes me back 15 years and I remember driving to this song
@johnrage9656
Holy shit.
No lie.
This whole album is a song I would speed too.
I have been to many a drunken party.
Maybe I drove you.
@jaredmello
Thanks for sharing your experience with the song. One of my favorite parts of listening to music on YouTube is hearing other people’s experiences with the songs.
@samdekeyrel8246
This song still hits me 15 years later
@kaner12341
And still
@jessicasalazar2746
I was 17 when I first heard this song brings back so many memories.. mainly neutral ones where I would drive fast and alone just blast this driving through Arizona on my way to California at night. it brought me peace ... also being of the few people who would dance to this on the dance floor because not may people knew this band.
@johnrage9656
I was 22. This is a great f ing song
@FourtyFourAirwaves44
NIN and Muse had a baby and it went back in time, and was named.. The Faint.