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Faith No More Roar Back to Life at London Reunion Show

6/11/09, 11:42 am EST

Last night at London’s jam-packed Brixton Academy a slice of metal history was revisited, and a new chapter began. Mike Patton, Roddy Bottum, Billy Gould, Mike “Puffy” Bordin and Album of the Year-era guitarist Jon Hudson (stepping in once again for Jim Martin) returned to the stage after 11 years as Faith No More.

In front of a David Lynch-inspired red draped backdrop, the quintet emerged in Zoot Suits (Patton’s peach, Bottum’s appropriately pink, Gould’s cream and Hudson in blue — only Puffy was let off the hook behind his kit in standard attire), and wedding-like buttonhole carnations, playing an unlikely but appropriate tune: Peaches & Herb’s soul classic “Reunited.” When Patton and Bottom finished their duet, there were genuine smiles from the stage of both relief and pleasure.

From the start Patton the auteur commanded the stage, and it became clear that his post-FNM musical adventures have added new dimensions to the band’s songs. Patton, in slicked-back hair, switched between easy listening and screams with ease, and his stage mannerisms swung from Messiah-like iconography during “I Started A Joke” to crazed epileptic tantrums in “The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies,” and he wasn’t afraid to play the role of refined classic ’50s gentleman. Chants of “you fat bastard” elicited the response, “You say it now and it’s true!” while patting his (clearly not) big stomach. “How about something fat with a ‘ph’?” he began before the swish of “Evidence” began.

The volume was loud and the crowd response deafening, and while the set wasn’t faultless — the sturdy “Jizzlobber” went slightly wobbly at the end — the quintet avoided an obvious nostalgic greatest-hits set.
A gracious “Easy” arrived early on, and the sonic battery began in earnest with an explosive “Surprise! You’re Dead,” anchored by Bordin and Gould’s spotless rhythms. Patton’s love of noise experimentation took center stage during a “Cuckoo For Caca” that was so overwhelming, it left ears nearly bleeding.

With a humble “It’s been very nice to see you, thank you and good night,” Faith No More made their exit, returning with Vangelis’ “Chariots Of Fire” and “Stripsearch” for the first of two encores. They capped the night with “I Started A Joke” and left for good after “Pristina.” It was a mix that accentuated the band’s glorious eccentricity: Faith No More were always left-field, yet inadvertently created some awesome songs with mass appeal. Last night was about a band rediscovering their special chemistry, and proving good music only improves with age.

Set List:

“Reunited” (Peaches & Herb cover)
“The Real Thing”
“From Out of Nowhere”
“Land of Sunshine”
“Caffeine”
“Evidence”
“Chinese Arithmetic”
“Surprise! You’re Dead!”
“Easy”
“Last Cup of Sorrow”
“Midlife Crisis”
“Cuckoo For Caca”
“The Gentle Art of Making Enemies”
“RV”
“King For a Day”
“Malpractice”
“Jizzlobber”
“Be Aggressive”
“Epic”
“Mark Bowen”

Encore 1
“Chariots of Fire”/”Stripsearch”
“Just A Man”

Encore 2
“I Started a Joke”
“Pristina”


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Comments

Anonymous | 6/11/2009, 12:30 pm EST

I hope they come to the States!

tt | 6/11/2009, 1:00 pm EST

good job, dan cohn.
not many music critics that actually GET music.
well done.

ieb | 6/11/2009, 1:32 pm EST

killer. I still can’t believe they’re back together. I really hope these shows go well and they hit the states soon.

Pristeenbergen | 6/11/2009, 1:54 pm EST

Was lucky enough to get to the show last night. It was simply stunning. The band were fantastic (though Roddy did have a few wobbles) and Patton’s voice is actually even more suited to those songs now than back in the day – all those years of screeching with Fantomas, Zorn et al have given him a larynx of iron.

My one quibble with Mr Cohn’s review though: I thought the crowd was pretty poor. The reception the band got really wasn’t as ecstatic as I expected – or the performance deserved.

Looking forward to seeing them on mainland Europe this summer – now that’s an audience that will appreciate the fat b*stards!

tt fanatic | 6/11/2009, 3:42 pm EST

:)

???? | 6/11/2009, 3:46 pm EST

They’re playing New Orleans on/around Halloween.

Anonymous | 6/11/2009, 3:55 pm EST

Was also lucky enough to be there last night – so relieved not to be disappointed. Great review!

BK | 6/11/2009, 4:44 pm EST

Faith No More are a bunch of assholes if they don’t do a tour in the States. Whay are you giving all the Euros the love?

Ryan Fitz | 6/11/2009, 6:30 pm EST

Dan Cohn you didn’t happen to play in a band called Hello Society, did you? Haven’t met any other Dan Cohn’s in my life so hey you never know

Thief in the Orchard | 6/11/2009, 6:55 pm EST

It ain’t a reunion without Jim Martin. Just sayin.

Steve | 6/11/2009, 9:32 pm EST

BK–While I agree that the band SHOULD do the states, I expect they wanted to make sure they still had IT-their old mojo, and refine the show that will crush once it reaches our shores.

Mark | 6/11/2009, 9:59 pm EST

Thats pretty much the setlist you would want w FNM, I always though Last Cup Of Sorrow was underrated.

Anonymous | 6/12/2009, 1:59 am EST

Brixton was sweet for sure, dreamlike. Now they face Download, a real gig. And they will OWN IT!!!

IS | 6/12/2009, 7:17 am EST

Good to see them but sound was shit.Piano at end of epic had ice cream van quality!!

jobbylobber | 6/12/2009, 9:03 am EST

Me and my son were there! We had to be – it was history in the making, we made the trip from Scotland especially.
Faith no more were fantastic! They nailed It! Their sound was great and the set list too, apart from maybe missing out ‘falling to pieces’ and ‘a small victory’.
There were some first night nerves showing, which goes to show, despite their bravado, that they do actually give a shit.
I was disappointed in the London crown though, a bit tame compared to Glasgow.
FNM looked genuinely glad to be back, and so are we. The chemistry is there. Looking forward to a new album.

Anonymous | 6/12/2009, 12:09 pm EST

Fsntastic gig, I thought I had missed the opportunity to see FNM.

There were a few ommissions from the set list but that is me being picky!

Have to disagree with some of the people slating the crowd, I thought they were well up for it (or all least at the front where I was.)

Epic Stu | 6/12/2009, 12:54 pm EST

they better come to North America. Saw them in Dublin, Ireland in ermmm 93/94ish… GREAT that theyre back with a bang!

C.C.McClomp | 6/12/2009, 9:25 pm EST

They ain’t no CLOMP DADDIES!!!

tim | 6/13/2009, 1:30 am EST

f’in awesome !!!!!!!!

faith in faith no more | 6/13/2009, 4:23 am EST

i heard a pretty dece boot and from the dude who made who sounded like 17 and knew pretty much all the words to the songs, the band unsurprisingly were awesome, and here’s the last f’ing word on jim martin, he was great, and can be replicated quite easily by hudson as evidenced on arguably he’s best contribution which is surprise your dead the really fast staccato hetfield-isms that happen in the chorus build up, ne way, i believe the last thing he did was jizzlober, its impossible to imagine king for a day with him on it, it just would’ve had some more crunch which would’ve been a detriment since nu metal pretty much sanitized that concept into the ground, he came, he got booted, it was for the best, should he have stayed, the Would be fat bastards, … think about it.

deano | 6/13/2009, 4:30 am EST

Later this year we get AIC’s new disc, and Corgan’s still trying to dial up Pumpkin memories. No Doubt’s on the road, Creed’s in the studio, STP’s humming along and Blink’s back too. Ah, those magical long-ago 90s. What’s next, a Stabbing Westward reunion? Sponge on tour?

enjoyer | 6/13/2009, 7:59 am EST

Mike Patton is the best singer/performer of the 90’s.

SLAYERSWINE | 6/13/2009, 9:17 am EST

I hope they play the U.S. this year. Great band to see live.

Matt4p | 6/13/2009, 11:39 am EST

I was there. It was bloody awesome!!!

brian | 6/13/2009, 6:07 pm EST

actually steve, faith no more is a household name in europe and they’re going to make a hell of a lot more money playing over there. not to say that they won’t play here, but its certainly not set up so they can get thier chops up and then come over here. it’s becuase europe loves them and pretty much deserves it more. people like crap music here and that’s why the radio refuses to acknoledge the existance of any fnm song except epic or falling to pieces.

TheSincere | 6/14/2009, 9:55 pm EST

Faith No More are to metal what Led Zeppelin are to rock. They are unlabel-able because they KNOW that all music if naturally and well-performed and written is good and can influence a band on every front if they’re daring enough to challenge their audience. That’s why they are head and shoulders above any band that plays it safe within their genre. Faith No More are BIGGER than any genre or closed-minded music listeners. Faith No More were, are and always will be UNTOUCHABLE. FNM 4 LIFE.

AE | 6/14/2009, 11:17 pm EST

I have to agree with Brian, the US is not the place for FNM to launch their comeback tour as interest faded after “The Real Thing”. The biggest support the band has is in Europe and Australia which continued throughout their entire career, so it is fair to say that they deserve the shows right off the bat. I’m sure they will get to other countries including the States, but their priority is elsewhere.

always keep the faith | 6/15/2009, 11:23 am EST

one of the BEST bands of the 90’s has returned! dignity & chops in tact! incredible…here in the US nobody cared after “angel dust” & radio only ever play the stupid “hit” from The Real Thing. very sad here in US, but great to have FNM back nevertheless.

Mike | 6/15/2009, 1:32 pm EST

One of the best, most innovative bands of all time let alone the 90s. Mike Patton is brilliant. He is like a human quarry, filled with gold nuggets here and there. Then other bands take those nuggets and create a formula for success. Let’s just keep copying copying copying that sound! You’re welcome, Korn.

Hey now! | 6/15/2009, 6:16 pm EST

Set List:

“Reunited” (Peaches & Herb cover)
“The Real Thing”
“From Out of Nowhere”
“Land of Sunshine”
“Caffeine”
“Eviden ce”
“Chinese Arithmetic”
“Surprise! You’re Dead!”
“Easy”
“Last Cup of Sorrow”
“Midlife Crisis”
“Cuckoo For Caca”
“The Gentle Art of Making Enemies”
“RV”
“King For a Day”
“Malpractice”
“Jizzlobb er”
“Be Aggressive”
“Epic”
“Mark Bowen”

Encore 1
“Chariots of Fire”/”Stripsearch”
“Just A Man”

Encore 2
“I Started a Joke”
“Pristina”

curt | 6/16/2009, 12:49 am EST

any guy who will take a dump on Axel Rose’s dressing room floor is good with me!

fnm_fan | 6/16/2009, 10:52 am EST

Come to Serbia, pleeeeeeeaseeeeee! As I can see FNM is “free” during the Exit Festival in July in Novi Sad, Serbia.

CAPTAIN SPALDING | 6/16/2009, 7:40 pm EST

Well it’s about Fucking time! Faith No More is one of the most intelligent and delightfully “dirty” bands that California ever spawned. Mike Patton is probably the most under-rated singer in Rock music. I really loved “Album Of The Year”, as well as the band’s first two albums.
I hope this reunion leads to a new studio album. This world needs more music in the style of FNM.

RAZARBACK | 6/19/2009, 9:01 am EST

Seen em’ twice.
Please come back to Australia.
We love you.
GREAT F#*$ING BAND!

MrBungleFnm | 6/24/2009, 11:12 pm EST

F’in awesome! I was almost teary eyed watching the YouTube clip. I can’t imagine there will be another band like FNM. It takes me back to college where most of the people I hung out with was because of our common bond which was our love of Mike Patton and FNM. Most people don’t realize the sub-culture that is being a Faith No More fan in the states. I wish people were more open-minded here. People who are not FNM fans don’t understand or appreciate why we feel the way we do about the them. Come to Milwaukee! Please!

PS | 6/25/2009, 11:14 am EST

watch this FNM fan video:

youtube-dot-com/watch?v=DQH9 FADTUXM

metal_slime_12@ | 6/27/2009, 1:23 pm EST

viva Faith No More!!!

Jorge Malvino | 7/3/2009, 11:44 am EST

Great Band, on of the best… I hope I get a chance to see them in Canada…

capillary | 7/3/2009, 12:22 pm EST

I am checking the net daily to see if they’ve announced their Aussie tour. I’m so pumped about it that it’s almost distracting from normal existence. I just wish they’d pull out Zombie Eaters – my number 1 choice but I’ve liked almost everything they’ve done with Patton and even a little bit of the Mosely stuff. Hey – what’s the story with Patton shitting on Axl Rose’s floor – how true is that? Sounds like industry malarky to me.

alan | 7/10/2009, 12:46 pm EST

man who cares about the states, no one bought there albums anyways.if i was fnm i’d say fuck you america!
you yanks are so self centered, i bet mike patton is laughing at the people who want faith no more to come to there shitty redneck town!

Pete | 7/11/2009, 10:52 pm EST

FNM were my number 1 pick in Triple J’s Hottest 100 of all Time. Listening to it now up to number 43. Epic came in just before at 45.

FNM come home | 7/17/2009, 6:07 pm EST

As a rabid, longtime fan who’s NOT from a redneck backwater, I would kill to see Faith No More come to the USA. Even better, the West Coast. Even better, make another album to blow every other “modern rock” band to pieces. I can understand why they started in Europe, where they were not abused by the trend-a-month zeitgeist BS we have here in America. Hey, if Opeth or Muse can tour the USA, FNM can bring all of us crazy ass American zealots out from under the rocks in legions.

cletus | 7/20/2009, 1:05 pm EST

hey y’all why wont dis here band come to the states? me and ma are sick of hanging out in our trailor listening to epic over n’ over.if i have to give her a sponge bath to that song one more time…….

cletus mom | 7/20/2009, 1:08 pm EST

cletus you quit talkin’ to yer friends n’ come give me that sponge bath you promised. i’ll play “RV” this time n’ don’t be shy with the soap, ya hear?

rar | 7/20/2009, 6:07 pm EST

Jim’s to busy growing giant pumpkins to tour.

cletus | 7/21/2009, 12:19 pm EST

i like growin’ giant pumkins’, i also like to drill a hole in ‘em and i carve a face and make sweet love to it.

NurseM | 8/13/2009, 11:00 pm EST

If they don’t come to tha US I’m going to Australia!!!

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