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Faith No More

From Alfawiki
Faith No More
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1979
Headquarters
San Francisco
,
United States
ProductsStudio albums, live albums, singles

Faith No More is a rock group originating from San Francisco, California, established in 1979. Prior to September 1983, the ensemble performed under the names Sharp Young Men and subsequently Faith No Man. The band's longest-standing members—bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Roddy Bottum, and drummer Mike Bordin—have been involved since its foundation. The current roster consists of Gould, Bordin, Bottum, lead guitarist Jon Hudson, and frontman/lyricist Mike Patton.

The band has produced six studio albums, notably the commercially successful The Real Thing (1989) and Angel Dust (1992). On April 20, 1998, Faith No More officially disbanded. They later reunited for The Second Coming Tour during 2009–2010 and released their seventh studio effort, Sol Invictus, in May 2015. After touring in support of Sol Invictus, the band entered another hiatus.

In November 2019, Faith No More announced a UK and European tour scheduled for 2020, which was subsequently postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans to resume touring in 2021–2022 were ultimately cancelled as Patton cited mental health concerns. As of 2025, the group remains inactive with no confirmed reunion plans.

Formation and Early Years (1979–1984)

Faith No More evolved from Sharp Young Men, a band formed in 1979 by vocalist Mike Morris and keyboardist Wade Worthington. Drummer Mike Bordin and bassist Billy Gould joined the lineup later on. Morris explained that the original name was intended as a parody of the era's "sophisticated" bands. After contemplating the name Faith In No Man, they chose Faith No Man (stylized Faith. No Man), a suggestion made by Bordin. In 1983, they recorded "Quiet in Heaven/Song of Liberty" at producer Matt Wallace's home studio. Shortly thereafter, Worthington departed and was succeeded by Roddy Bottum. Subsequently, Bottum, Gould, and Bordin left to establish Faith No More in September 1983, highlighting that "The Man" (Morris) was now "No More."

Faith No More's debut performance featured guitarists Joe Pop-o-Pie and Jake Smith; by 1984 Mark Bowen had joined alongside Pop-o-Pie. The band went through various vocalists and guitarists—including a brief stint with Courtney Love—before settling on vocalist Chuck Mosley in 1983 and guitarist Jim Martin. Their initial release under the Faith No More name was a self-titled cassette issued in 1983, containing a live track alongside an instrumental piece.

We Care a Lot and Introduce Yourself Era (1985–1988)

Following their rebranding, the group independently recorded We Care a Lot, pooling resources to complete five tracks. This effort attracted Ruth Schwartz, who was launching the independent label Mordam Records. With her financial support, the band finalized and released the album—serving as the inaugural release for both Faith No More and Mordam Records.

By late 1986, Faith No More had signed with Los Angeles-based label Slash Records, managed by Anna Statman. Slash had recently become part of Warner Music Group's subsidiary London Records, facilitating broader distribution channels. The album Introduce Yourself was released in April 1987; an updated version of "We Care a Lot" achieved moderate exposure on MTV.

During a difficult European tour in 1988, lead singer Chuck Mosley exhibited increasingly erratic behavior, reportedly including an incident where he struck bassist Billy Gould onstage and reportedly fell asleep at the album release party. Tensions also arose between Mosley's road crew and other band members. After returning from Europe, Mosley was dismissed from the band. Gould recalled rehearsals where Mosley's acoustic style led him to consider leaving; however, fellow members Bordin and Bottum persuaded him to remain—effectively replacing Mosley without an official firing announcement.

Mike Patton's Arrival and The Real Thing Era (1989–1991)

In 1988, singer Mike Patton took over vocal duties, succeeding Mosley. Patton, who was then fronting his high school group Mr. Bungle, was brought on board following Martin’s recommendation after he listened to Mr. Bungle’s demo, The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny. Patton had initially encountered the band during a 1986 performance in Eureka, California. Within two weeks of joining, he penned the lyrics for the Grammy-nominated album The Real Thing, which was released in June 1989.

The track "Epic", launched in January 1990, climbed into the top 10 charts. Its music video received extensive rotation on MTV but faced backlash from animal rights groups due to a slow-motion shot involving a fish. That same year, Faith No More appeared at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards and performed on Saturday Night Live. Subsequent singles included "From Out of Nowhere" and "Falling to Pieces", along with a cover of Black Sabbath’s "War Pigs" featured on non-vinyl editions. The band undertook a lengthy tour across the United States, propelling The Real Thing to Platinum certification in Canada, the U.S., and South America, while also achieving significant sales in Australia, the U.K., and Europe—surpassing four million copies globally.

In February 1991, Faith No More issued their sole official live record, Live at the Brixton Academy, which included two previously unreleased studio tracks: "The Grade" and "The Cowboy Song". That year, they contributed "The Perfect Crime" to the soundtrack of Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey; additionally, Martin appeared briefly as the head of the "Faith No More Spiritual and Theological Center". Following the international acclaim of The Real Thing, Patton’s original band Mr. Bungle secured a deal with Slash and Reprise Records’ parent company Warner Bros. Records in 1991.

Angel Dust Period (1992–1994)

Released in 1992, Faith No More’s album Angel Dust represented a shift toward a more avant-garde approach. Critics praised its intricate arrangements and innovative style, particularly highlighting "A Small Victory" for its fusion of varied musical elements into a distinct sound.

Singles from this album included "A Small Victory"—which earned an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Art Direction—alongside "Midlife Crisis" and "Everything's Ruined." The record also contained a reimagined version of the theme from Midnight Cowboy, with later releases featuring a cover of The Commodores' "Easy," which became one of their most successful international singles. Although Angel Dust reached one position higher than The Real Thing on the Billboard 200 chart, its U.S. sales totaled 665,000 copies, falling short of its predecessor’s figures. Nevertheless, it outsold The Real Thing across numerous overseas markets, attaining Gold status in Germany (over 250,000 units), Platinum certification in Canada, Gold in Australia, and notable sales in countries such as the Netherlands, France, Russia, and the U.K., with global sales approximating 3.1 million copies.

After completing their 1993 tour promoting Angel Dust, longtime guitarist Jim Martin left amid internal disagreements. He reportedly disapproved of the band’s changing musical direction, once describing it as “gay disco,” though reports vary on whether his departure was voluntary or due to dismissal via fax. Following Martin’s exit, offers to join were declined by guitarists Justin Broadrick (Godflesh) and Geordie Walker (Killing Joke). Eventually, Trey Spruance—Patton’s bandmate from Mr. Bungle—assumed guitar duties for the 1995 album King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime. However, Spruance departed before touring commenced and was succeeded by Dean Menta, who had served as the band’s keyboard technician.

King for a Day..., Album of the Year and dissolution (1995–1998)

Faith No More's fifth studio release, King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime, arrived in March 1995, presenting an eclectic mix of genres such as punk, country, jazz, bossa nova, thrash metal, and gospel. The album's singles comprised "Digging the Grave", "Evidence", and "Ricochet". Guitar duties were handled by Trey Spruance of Mr. Bungle fame. Although the album attained Gold certification in markets including the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Germany with sales nearing 1.5 million copies, this figure was notably less than that of previous albums. A special box set featuring seven 7-inch singles was also released, containing B-sides and interview material.

In June 1997, Album of the Year was launched featuring new guitarist Jon Hudson. The album made a strong entry on the charts, peaking at number two in Germany and securing the top spot in Australia where it earned Platinum status. It charted throughout Europe and sold roughly two million units globally. Singles such as "Ashes to Ashes" and "Last Cup of Sorrow" met with moderate success; the music video for the latter included actress Jennifer Jason Leigh and drew inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s film Vertigo. The track "Stripsearch" saw an international release excluding the U.S. and U.K. Critical reception in the United States was predominantly unfavorable, with Rolling Stone citing a lack of clear direction and Pitchfork Media labeling it disappointing. Following the album's debut, Faith No More toured alongside Limp Bizkit in 1997, though this pairing was often met with hostility from Faith No More’s fanbase.

By early 1998, speculation arose regarding Mike Patton’s departure to focus on other projects; while initially refuted, these rumors held some truth. Faith No More performed their final show on April 7, 1998, in Lisbon. They subsequently canceled a scheduled supporting tour with Aerosmith, and on April 20 bassist Billy Gould announced that the band had mutually agreed to disband so members could explore individual endeavors. Throughout their career, the group consistently expressed appreciation to their fans and supporters.

Reformation (2009–2012)

Speculation about Faith No More reuniting for concerts in the U.K. during summer 2009 began circulating in late 2008 but was initially denied by bassist Billy Gould, who stated there had been no internal discussions within the band. Nevertheless, on February 24, 2009, Faith No More officially declared their reunion featuring the lineup from the Album of the Year era and launched The Second Coming Tour. Concurrently, Rhino issued a double-disc compilation titled The Very Best Definitive Ultimate Greatest Hits Collection in the U.K. on June 8.

The band appeared at prominent European festivals such as Download (U.K.), Hurricane and Southside (Germany), Greenfield (Switzerland), Hove (Norway), and Roskilde (Denmark). The tour extended into 2010 with performances at Australia’s Soundwave Festival. During these shows, they incorporated covers including Lady Gaga’s "Poker Face", Michael Jackson’s "Ben", and Siouxsie and the Banshees’ "Switch" into their live sets.

After an eleven-month hiatus, Faith No More returned for four concerts in South America in November 2011, introducing an unreleased "mystery song" suggestive of forthcoming material. At Chile’s Maquinaria Festival, they performed the complete King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime album with Trey Spruance joining on guitar.

In 2012, Faith No More played Sonisphere France followed by a European tour where they added covers such as Jay Z/Kanye West’s "Niggas in Paris", Rick Astley’s "Never Gonna Give You Up", and Eduard Khil’s viral "Trololo" to their repertoire. After this period of activity, the band entered another pause. Mike Patton focused on touring with his supergroup Tomahawk while other members engaged in side projects. In July 2013, Billy Gould confirmed that this hiatus was temporary and emphasized that all members needed to dedicate full attention before resuming group work.

In a 2015 interview, keyboardist Roddy Bottum disclosed that there had been initial plans to involve original guitarist Jim Martin in the reunion tour; however, this did not come to fruition.

Sol Invictus release and hiatus period (2015–2018)

On May 29, 2014, Faith No More declared via Twitter that their reunion phase had concluded and they were ready to embark on new creative endeavors. On July 4, they appeared at Hyde Park in London as the opening act for Black Sabbath, introducing two fresh tracks: "Motherfucker" and "Superhero" (also referred to as "Leader of Men"). By August, the band confirmed the reunion tour had wrapped up and hinted at upcoming original work. Bassist Billy Gould affirmed that a new studio album was in development, officially commencing by September 2014. Additionally, Faith No More headlined the final Soundwave festival in Australia in early 2015.

Their seventh studio record, Sol Invictus, was unveiled in May 2015. The album drew inspiration from artists such as The Cramps, Link Wray, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Gould characterized songs like "Cone of Shame" as a fusion of blues-infused rock with black metal influences, while "Matador" incorporated natural piano tones reminiscent of early Siouxsie and the Banshees. The album's second single, "Superhero", was released in March 2015.

In August 2016, Faith No More reunited with former frontman Chuck Mosley for a pair of shows commemorating the reissue of their debut album We Care a Lot. This lineup featured Mosley alongside Mike Bordin, Billy Gould, Jon Hudson, and Roddy Bottum.

Chuck Mosley died on November 9, 2017, at age 57 due to addiction-related health complications. In February 2018, production began on a documentary film titled Thanks. And Sorry: The Chuck Mosley Movie, directed by Drew Fortier and produced by Douglas Esper.

Second reunion, cancelled tours, and band's outlook (2019–present)

On November 23, 2019, Faith No More signaled a return with a countdown timer on their official website, announcing their first live performances in five years scheduled for June 2020 across Europe. These included appearances at Sunstroke Festival in Ireland, Hellfest in France, and Tons of Rock in Norway. Shortly after, Mad Cool Festival in Madrid was added to the itinerary. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most dates—including European and Australian legs—were postponed until 2021. The band was also slated to perform two concerts at Los Angeles’ Banc of California Stadium alongside System of a Down, Helmet, and Russian Circles in May 2020; these shows were postponed twice before Faith No More was replaced by Korn. Additional performances planned for September 2021 were cancelled with frontman Mike Patton citing mental health concerns.

In a 2022 interview with The Guardian, Patton revealed he had not been in contact with other members since the cancellations, casting uncertainty over the band's future. By October 2024, keyboardist Roddy Bottum described Faith No More as being on a "semi-permanent hiatus." Drummer Mike Bordin confirmed in April 2025 that Patton was "clearly unwilling to do shows," attributing this to his commitments with Mr. Bungle. Later that year, Bottum expressed doubt about another reunion taking place, noting multiple cancellations for various reasons and an unclear direction for the band moving forward.

Musical style and influences

Faith No More's sound is commonly categorized under alternative metal, experimental rock, alternative rock, and rap metal. During their time as Faith No Man, their style was identified as post-punk. Their initial single from 1983, "Quiet in Heaven/Song of Liberty", was described as a strong post-punk/early goth release. These characteristics continued throughout Chuck Mosley's tenure; AllMusic likened their debut album’s style to early works by Public Image Ltd. By the mid-1980s, bassist Billy Gould observed that the band occupied an unusual niche since their diverse sound did not align neatly with either the emerging hardcore punk or alternative rock movements.

With Mike Patton joining in 1988, Faith No More broadened their musical palette by blending genres such as synth-pop, thrash metal, and even carousel music on The Real Thing. According to Rolling Stone, by 1997 Faith No More were considered "too heavy for the post-grunge pop hits... and too arty to work comfortably with the nu metal knuckle-draggers they spawned." Throughout their career span, they have incorporated elements from heavy metal, funk, hip hop, progressive rock, alternative rock, hardcore punk, polka, country, easy listening, jazz, samba, ska, bossa nova, hard rock, pop, soul, trip hop, gospel, and lounge music.

Their lyrics are recognized for their "bizarrely humorous" quality. Patton has explained that he often selects words based on their auditory effect and rhythm rather than semantic meaning.

Besides metal influences like Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, drummer Mike Bordin cited gothic rock and post-punk groups including Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Psychedelic Furs, Echo and the Bunnymen, Killing Joke, Public Image Ltd., and Theatre of Hate as major inspirations. When reforming for Sol Invictus, Faith No More revisited these foundational influences.

Legacy

In 2015, a range of musicians including Duff McKagan, Chino Moreno, Serj Tankian, Corey Taylor, Max Cavalera, and Jonathan Davis acknowledged the band’s significant influence. The late 1980s saw Nirvana co-founder Krist Novoselic credit Faith No More with "clearing the path for Nirvana." In 1988, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin listed them among his preferred bands, and they subsequently toured together following the release of The Real Thing. Influential figures like Scott Ian from Anthrax and Alexander Julien of Vision Eternel have also recognized Faith No More as a pivotal inspiration. Numerous groups such as Mushroomhead, Lostprophets, and The Dillinger Escape Plan have publicly acknowledged the band’s impact on their music.

Corey Taylor of both Slipknot and Stone Sour credited Faith No More's 1990 MTV performance of "Epic" with motivating him to pursue his musical ambitions after facing personal challenges.

Faith No More was positioned at number 52 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" and is widely regarded as the pioneer of alternative metal by fusing metal with alternative rock elements. Tim Grierson from About.com remarked that they "played a crucial role in establishing alternative metal." Their style notably influenced nu metal acts such as Limp Bizkit, Korn, and Sevendust, particularly through their blend of rap and rock. Members of Papa Roach, Jacoby Shaddix and Jerry Horton, also identified Faith No More as a major influence. In 2019, Tobias Forge of the Swedish band Ghost praised their distinct sound as difficult to classify yet consistently delivering outstanding rock music.

Although often dismissed as a '90s one-hit wonder due to their hit single "Epic," the band achieved substantial commercial success with Album of the Year in countries like Australia (where it went Platinum), New Zealand, and Germany, despite modest sales in the United States.

Covers and tributes

Faith No More’s songs have been interpreted by numerous notable metal bands including 36 Crazyfists, Apocalyptica, Atreyu, Between the Buried and Me, Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch, Helloween, Ill Niño, Korn, Machine Head, Papa Roach, Redemption, Revocation, Sentenced, Slaves on Dope, and Trail of Tears. Of particular note, Slaves on Dope composed "No More Faith" as an homage to Faith No More and covered "War Pigs," inspired by Faith No More’s rendition.

In October 2000, a tribute album was announced under the direction of Faith No More’s former manager, Warren Entner. This project aimed to feature prominent nu-metal and alternative metal artists. Confirmed contributors included Papa Roach with "The Gentle Art of Making Enemies," Korn covering "Surprise! You're Dead!," Disturbed performing "Midlife Crisis," along with tracks from Taproot ("Ricochet"), Deftones ("RV"), Primer 55 ("Digging the Grave"), and System of a Down ("Cuckoo for Caca"). Other potential participants were rumored to be Fear Factory, Slipknot, Incubus, and Slaves on Dope. Despite multiple bands recording their versions, no record label was secured to release the compilation, resulting in its cancellation. However, Papa Roach and Disturbed did perform their covers during tours in 2001.

Mike Patton expressed doubt regarding the tribute project on his Ipecac Recordings website in 2001: "FNM Tribute Record - ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Who cares? Do you really want to hear bands ruin great songs?" Later in a 2003 interview, he conveyed indifference provided he received royalties.

Another tribute album titled Tribute of the Year: A Tribute to Faith No More was released in 2002 by Legion Records through Underground Inc. This collection featured 30 cover versions by underground and independent artists spanning hardcore punk, industrial, and alternative metal genres, including acts such as Hate Dept., Tub Ring, Bile, and Yellow No. 5.

In 2023, the group The Lucid, featuring Violent J from (Insane Clown Posse), unveiled a reimagined version of "Epic" entitled "Sweet Toof." This rendition retained the original instrumental arrangement while completely rewriting the lyrics and vocal melodies except for a brief reference to the original chorus during the outro.

Dispute with the Red Hot Chili Peppers

After the launch of The Real Thing, a prolonged rivalry developed between Faith No More and the fellow funk-inspired Californian band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom they had previously toured during The Uplift Mofo Party Tour when Chuck Mosley served as Faith No More's vocalist. This disagreement largely centered around Patton and Red Hot Chili Peppers' lead singer Anthony Kiedis, arising from claims that Patton mimicked Kiedis’s style and stage persona in Faith No More's 1989 music video for "Epic". Much of the discord was directed more at Patton’s other project, Mr Bungle, rather than Faith No More itself. The media often amplified the conflict, with figures such as Greg Gutfeld intensifying the situation. Nonetheless, members from both groups have generally preserved friendly interactions since the initial dispute. In 1996, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea remarked, "There was never any fight between us... Those guys in the band are nice people and there's no fight." Furthermore, in 2014, Red Hot Chili Peppers paid tribute by performing a segment of the Chuck Mosley-era track "We Care a Lot" during a concert in Brooklyn.

Touring history

Last lineup

  • Mike Bordin – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1979–1998, 2009–2021)
  • Billy Gould – bass guitar, backing vocals (1979–1998, 2009–2021)
  • Roddy Bottum – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1983–1998, 2009–2021)
  • Mike Patton – lead vocals (1988–1998, 2009–2021)
  • Jon Hudson – lead guitar, backing vocals (1996–1998, 2009–2021)

Notable former members

Honors and nominations

Brit Awards

|- | 1991 || Faith No More || International Group ||


Grammy Awards

|- | 1990 || "The Real Thing" || Best Metal Performance || |- | 1991 || "Epic" || Best Hard Rock Performance || |- | 1993 || "Angel Dust" || Best Hard Rock Performance ||


Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards

|- | 2015 || Sol Invictus || Best Album ||


Metal Storm Awards

|- | 2015 || Sol Invictus || Best Alternative Metal Album ||


MTV Video Music Awards

|- | 1990 || "Epic" || Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Video || |- | 1991 || "Falling to Pieces" || Best Art Direction in a Video || |- | 1991 || "Falling to Pieces" || Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Video || |- | 1991 || "Falling to Pieces" || Best Visual Effects in a Video || |- | 1993 || "A Small Victory" || Best Art Direction in a Video ||

Discography

Studio Albums

See also

Notes

1. Originally recorded in 1988, this track debuted on the 1989 release The Real Thing, and achieved wider recognition following its single release in 1990.

Bibliography

  • .
  • Prato, Greg (2013). The Faith No More & Mr. Bungle Companion. Createspace. .
  • Harte, Adrian (2018). Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More. Jawbone Press. .

External links

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