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Faith No More

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Band Timeline

1979

Formation and Early Years

Faith No More was formed in San Francisco in 1979 initially as Sharp Young Men, later changing their name to Faith No Man, and finally to Faith No More in 1983. The founding lineup included bassist Billy Gould, drummer Mike Bordin, and keyboardist Roddy Bottum, who are the band's longest-serving members. The band experienced several lineup changes early on, including a brief period with Courtney Love. Their first recorded material was released under the Faith No Man name before the core trio reformed the band as Faith No More.
1985

Debut Album We Care a Lot and Early Recognition

Faith No More released their debut album, We Care a Lot, in 1985 on the independent label Mordam Records. The band initially recorded the album independently before gaining financial support to complete it. The album was notable for its blend of alternative and funk metal influences and the title track became somewhat of an anthem for the band despite modest commercial success. This period marked the beginning of the band's rise in the underground music scene.
1987

Introduce Yourself and Signing to Slash Records

In 1987, Faith No More released their second album, Introduce Yourself, on Slash Records, a label affiliated with Warner Music Group, which helped facilitate wider distribution. The album featured a reworked version of
1988

Lineup Changes and New Vocalist Mike Patton

In 1988, vocalist Chuck Mosley was dismissed because of erratic behavior, especially during the European tour. Mike Patton was brought in as the new singer, bringing a fresh dynamic to the band. This change proved crucial as Patton's vocal range and style became a defining characteristic of Faith No More's sound going forward.
1989

Breakthrough with The Real Thing

Faith No More released The Real Thing, their third studio album, in June 1989. This was the first album to feature Mike Patton as lead vocalist. The album achieved significant commercial success, fueled by the hit single 'Epic,' which received extensive airplay and MTV rotation. The band toured extensively, sharing stages with prominent bands such as Metallica and Soundgarden, and began to be associated more with the metal genre.
1992

Angel Dust Release and Artistic Expansion

Angel Dust, Faith No More's fourth album, was released in 1992. It showcased a more experimental and diverse sound palette, pushing the band's musical boundaries further. The album included singles like 'Midlife Crisis' and a notable cover of Lionel Richie's 'Easy.' Despite its artistic ambition, the album was met with mixed reactions but has since been recognized as a highly influential record in alternative metal.
1995

King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime and Lineup Changes

The band released their fifth album King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime in 1995, which reflected a change in musical approach, incorporating even more diverse influences. This period was marked by the departure of longstanding guitarist Jim Martin. The album was supported by tours but signaled some internal band tensions leading up to future changes.
1997

Album of the Year and Peak Commercial Success

Faith No More's sixth studio album, Album of the Year, was released in 1997 and marked the band's only number-one album. This release consolidated their standing in the rock and metal scenes with a mature sound. Shortly after this, the band announced their breakup in 1998, ending a nearly two-decade career.
1998

Breakup and Compilation Releases

Faith No More officially broke up in April 1998 after an influential career. This year also saw the release of their first greatest hits compilation, Who Cares a Lot? The Greatest Hits, which included their popular songs and a final single cover of the Bee Gees' 'I Started a Joke.' The disbandment marked the end of an era but their music continued to influence alternative and metal musicians.
2009-2010

Reunion and The Second Coming Tour

After an eleven-year hiatus, Faith No More reunited and conducted The Second Coming Tour between 2009 and 2010. This marked a return to live performance for the band with the classic lineup, re-energizing their fan base and reestablishing their presence in the rock music world.
2015

Release of Sol Invictus and Continued Influence

In May 2015, Faith No More released their seventh studio album, Sol Invictus, their first in 18 years. The album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200, demonstrating the band’s enduring appeal and artistic vitality. They toured in support of the album before entering another hiatus, underscoring their lasting impact on alternative and metal genres.
2020-2025

Planned Tours, Future Hiatus, and Current Status

Faith No More announced a UK and European tour for 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans to resume touring in 2021-2022 were cancelled with vocalist Mike Patton citing mental health reasons. As of 2025, the band remains on hiatus with no official statement on new recordings or performances. Despite this, Faith No More’s legacy is well-established in rock history.

Albums

faith-no-more_1st_album
We Care a Lot
10 tracks
1985
faith-no-more_2nd_album
Introduce Yourself
10 tracks
1987
faith-no-more_3rd_album
The Real Thing
11 tracks
1989
faith-no-more_4th_album
Angel Dust
13 tracks
1992
faith-no-more_5th_album
King for a Day… Fool for a Lifetime
15 tracks
1995
faith-no-more_6th_album
Album of the Year
12 tracks
1997
faith-no-more_7th_album
Sol Invictus
10 tracks
2015
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Jon Hudson

2009

Guitar

Roddy Bottum

2009

Keyboard

Mike Bordin

2009

Drums (drum set)

Mike Patton

2009

Lead vocals

Billy Gould

2009

Bass guitar

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Jim Martin

1984
1993

Acoustic guitar

Electric guitar

Walter O'Brien

1983
1984

Lead vocals

Jon Hudson

1996
1998

Guitar

Roddy Bottum

1983
1998

Keyboard

Trey Spruance

1994
1995

Guitar

Dean Menta

1995
1996

Guitar

Stew

1983
1984

Guitar

Billy Gould

1983
1998

Bass guitar

Mike Patton

1988
1998

Lead vocals

Jake Smith

1983
1983

Guitar

Mike Bordin

1983
1998

Drums (drum set)

Desmond Shea

1984
1984

Guitar

Courtney Love

1984
1984

Lead vocals

Paula Frazer

1984
1984

Lead vocals

Guitar

Craig Shell

1983
1983

Guitar

Joe Callahan

1983
1983

Lead vocals

Chuck Mosley

1984
1988

Lead vocals

Mark Bowen

1984
1984

Guitar

Story of Faith No More

Faith No More: A Rollercoaster Ride Through Rock History

Faith No More, hailing from San Francisco, California, is a band whose history is as dynamic as their music. Born in 1979, they initially went by the names Sharp Young Men and then Faith No Man, before settling on their iconic moniker. The core trio of Billy Gould (bass), Roddy Bottum (keyboards/rhythm guitar), and Mike Bordin (drums) have remained steadfast since the beginning, witnessing numerous lineup changes over the years.

Their sound, a captivating blend of funk, metal, and alternative rock, earned them critical acclaim and commercial success. Albums like "The Real Thing" (1989) and "Angel Dust" (1992) became chart-toppers, cementing their status as a force in the music scene.

After six studio albums, Faith No More announced their breakup in April 1998. However, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, they reunited in 2009 for "The Second Coming Tour" and released their seventh studio album, "Sol Invictus," in 2015. This period marked a resurgence of their powerful music.

Following the "Sol Invictus" tour cycle, the band went on hiatus once again. In November 2019, they announced a reunion tour for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put those plans on hold. Despite renewed hopes for a US tour in September 2021 and a rescheduled European tour in June 2022, the band faced another setback. Singer Mike Patton cited mental health concerns, leading to the cancellation of all tour dates.

Faith No More's story is a testament to their resilience and the enduring power of their music. From their early days to their triumphant reunions, their journey has been marked by both triumph and turmoil. Whether or not they will return to the stage again remains to be seen, but their legacy as a groundbreaking and influential band is firmly etched in rock history.

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