FAKE NO MORE

Fake No More is a British tribute to one of the most influential rock groups of recent times, Faith No More. During April 1998, the original band split up in their prime and left fans still wanting more. In 2002, Fake No More formed to faithfully recreate an energetic presence through Faith No More's music. Since then they've been producing electrifying stage performances throughout the South-West of England. Fake No More's live performances include most of Faith No More's album material, b-sides and rarities. You'll hear a selection from their greatest hits, including "Midlife Crisis", "Ashes To Ashes", and Lionel Richie's "Easy". Fake No More's favourites include "Be Aggressive", "Introduce Yourself", and "Collision".

In past performances, Fake No More have successfully re-established the funeral image of FNM's final tour for Album Of The Year. On a rare occassion, their bassist even appeared in a bumble-bee costume, paying tribute to Billy Gould's performance on Channel 4's "The Word" back in December 1992. They've even incorporated the early 90's pop references, using House Of Pain's "Jump Around" within "We Care A Lot" and R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" for the outro to "Epic". They have even been know to include Tomahawk's "God Hates A Coward" within their extended live performances. Fake No More have played legendary shows at Bristol's Fleece And Firkin, Penzance's Club 2K, and Glastonbury Festival 2002. Fake No More side-projects include the bands Human Resources, Debris Slide, and 19:00 Hrs.

Faith No More tribute bands in Europe include Czech Faith No More, and across the Atlantic, Ugly In The Morning from Massachusetts and Indiana-based The Fake Thing. Fake No More should not be confused with the tribute band from The Netherlands bearing the same name. Bristol-based Fake No More comprises of members Brendan Sleeman [Vocals], David Hancock [Lead Guitar], Mark Toghill [Bass], Tristan Isaacs [Keyboards], plus Andrew Marshall [Drums]. Fake No More's vocalist is amazingly similar to Mike Patton's dynamic vocals, and unmistakable image during the Angel Dust-era. This look-a-like and sound-a-like tribute provide an exceptional experience for hardcore fans and newcomers to Faith No More's music.


Photo Credit: FakeNoMore.5u.com
CD Review

MORE INFO
 ARTIST: Fake No More
ALBUM: Recorded Live, Bristol 3/7/02
LABEL: [Independent Release]
RELEASED: July 2002
DURATION: 10:50 - 3 Tracks

Fake No More are the U.K's premier tribute to Faith No More. This look-a-like and sound-a-like tribute provide the ultimate experience for hardcore fans and newcomers to Faith No More's exceptional music. A limited edition three track single was independently released and made available through band members themselves. It includes exclusive covers of "Be Aggressive", "Digging The Grave", and "We Care A Lot". A great quality live recording from July 2, 2002 Bristol, England, Fleece and Firkin. This release provides evidence that Fake No More are a brilliant tribute to Faith No More.
Selected Discography
ARTIST: Fake No More
ALBUM: Recorded Live, Bristol 3/7/02
LABEL: [Independent Release]
RELEASED: July 2002
DURATION: 10:50 - 3 Tracks
Exclusive Interview (1)

Justin Sanvicens from Xtreme Music received responses to an e-mail interview with Mark Toghill from Fake No More (Bristol-based tribute) on September 13, 2004.

Xtreme Music: How did Fake No More first start performing together?

Mark Toghill: Originally, it started as a joke to wind up the singer of the band me and Dave were in. We discovered a mutual love for Faith No More and I knew Andy would be up for drumming. We advertised for a singer and Brendan was the only person who answered. It turned out he was perfect! Keyboard players are a rare bread and I met Tristan through his cousin who I work with, he agreed to join whilst he was drunk.

Xtreme Music: Which Faith No More songs are your personal favourites to play live?

Mark Toghill: The audience like The Real Thing and Angel Dust songs. The most interesting to play is the King For A Day stuff, but I think "Naked In Front Of The Computer" is the most fun! Also, "Surprise! You're Dead!" is usually on the verge of collapse.

Xtreme Music: Could you tell us about the other songs you’ve covered by Mr. Bungle and Tomahawk?

Mark Toghill: We do Tomahawk's "God Hates A Coward" and "Rape This Day". These have proven to be obscure for most Faith No More fans so we aren't bothering with Mr. Bungle songs at the moment.

Xtreme Music: How have your live performances been going & what has the crowd reaction been like?

Mark Toghill: Live we have improved beyond measure. We are up to two and a half hours if necessary and have been able to nail the perfect ninety minute set. The bigger crowds only want to hear the hits. If it's frustrating for us fuck knows what it was like for Faith No More!

Xtreme Music: When was the best experience in Fake No More’s performance history?

Mark Toghill: We have done two gigs at the Tumbledown Dick in Farnborough and both times members of Hundred Reasons came to see us! The second time, last July they told us how much better we were and how much they enjoyed it!

Xtreme Music: Could you tell us about the latest news with Fake No More?

Mark Toghill: Fake No More are on a temporary six month break. Dave is off to Japan, Brendan is in Cornwall and Andy has got a job! We will be back together in the new year and returning to our old haunts. A tour with a Rage Against The Machine tribute has been proposed by a promoter from the midlands.

Xtreme Music: What other music projects are members of Fake No More currently involved with?

Mark Toghill: Me, Dave, and Andy are in Debris Slide [http://www.debrisslide.co.uk/], and Brendan has 19:00 Hrs [http://www.1900hrs.com/]. Me and Brendan are in a comedy Cornish metal, dance act called Tongue & Groove! Also, we are trying to start our own label Trendkill Records.

Xtreme Music: Apart from the members of Faith No More, who would you say are your main musical influences & how have they shaped your musical direction?

Mark Toghill: The Mars Volta, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, Queens Of The Stone Age, Slayer, Pixies, Soul Coughing, Morphine, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Jane's Addiction, Fugazi, Primus, Cave In, The Flaming Lips, Shellac, Neurosis, and The Wurzels.
Exclusive Interview (2)

Justin Sanvicens from Xtreme Music received responses to an e-mail interview with Jaroslav Michal from Czech Faith No More on January 31, 2005. Editorial paraphrasing by Justin Sanvicens.

Xtreme Music: How did Czech Faith No More first start performing together?

Jaroslav Michal: The beginning of Czech Faith No More dates to 1999. In Trebic a couple of musicians from well-known Czech bands decided to play in a band that would not forget the world famous Faith No More and especially their production of great sound and ideas. Then Vlasta Zahrádka, our singer and band leader created Czech Faith No More. Since then there has been quite a few changes in our skilled musicians. Today's formation of Czech Faith No More features Vlasta Zahradka, Lukás Zbozínek, Pavel Kolarík, Jan Zdarsa, and myself, Jarda Míchal performing for more than one year.

Xtreme Music: Which Faith No More songs are your personal favourites to play live?

Jaroslav Michal: We love all the songs we play from Faith No More, but personally, my favourite songs that we play are "Ricochet", "I Won't Forget You", and "The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies".

Xtreme Music: Could you tell us about the other songs you’ve covered by Faith No More?

Jaroslav Michal: We try to offer a general overview of Faith No More's music production to our audience. This means that we play songs from each album, but naturally it depends on the situation, atmosphere and which songs are requested from the audience.

Xtreme Music: How have your live performances been going & what has the crowd reaction been like?

Jaroslav Michal: It's hard to say as a musician on stage because each performance is different. We have had mostly good performance evaluations from our audience and the critics have pleasant feelings from our work. Above all Czech Faith No More is based on the original sound of Faith No More. Especially, music made by high-quality musical instruments and experienced musicians of course.

Xtreme Music: When was the best experience in Czech Faith No More’s performance history?

Jaroslav Michal: There have been plenty of great experiences that we talk about, even if I have been playing with Czech Faith No More for not so long. We have played many concerts in prestigious and reputable clubs in the Czech Rebublic, and during some amazing summer music festivals too.

Xtreme Music: Could you tell us about the latest news with Czech Faith No More?

Jaroslav Michal: We are going to play abroad but it does depends on many conditions. It is in discussion at the moment but I'll say no more information about because I'm a little bit superstitious. We will also be working on our own songs.

Xtreme Music: What other music projects are members of Czech Faith No More currently involved with?

Jaroslav Michal: Currently each of us have music activities beside Czech Faith No More. I don't mean that we are stable members of other bands, but we do play in different bands, recording our work in recording studios, work as sound engineers during music festivals and other concerts. Practically everything around the art of music.

Xtreme Music: Apart from the members of Faith No More, who would you say are your main musical influences & how have they shaped your musical direction?

Jaroslav Michal: I can only answer this question personally, but I guess we all have similar music tastes in the band. So except Faith No More, my favourite bands are Soundgarden, Livin' Colour, Rage Against The Machine, and Primus.