Faker

Wed 30th Apr, 2008 in Features

After 12 years of EPs, local shows, and line-up changes, Faker’s steady rise has started to speed up. Bass player Nic Munnings joined up with Faker in 2004, just in time for the band’s 2005 debut, Addicted Romantic.

Munnings is comfortable with the transition, and anxious for what’s to come. “We’re really excited about it because it’s been a slow build. In ways, to me, that’s better than instant gob-smacking success.” When I ask about his take on the band’s new found fame, he laughs. “We’re a ways off from being famous. Before people were like – œWho the fuck is this person?’”

Maybe he isn’t giving himself enough credit. After their recent Big Day Out tour, and a single that reached number five of the Triple J charts, Faker is popping up on more than a few people’s radar. Munnings expressed uncertainty about the band’s fan base. “We haven’t been in a position to gauge our audience because our last tour was in November of last year, which was before this stuff started taking off.” With their upcoming Australian tour in May, his hopes are high. “The reactions have been really strong. It’s going to be really interesting because it seems like there will be a new audience, and I’m curious to see what that’s going to be.”

Big Day Out was certainly a watershed moment for the band, as well as the biggest show they’ve played. “It’s the band’s dream show because you have this ridiculous, over-the-top experience of there being so many musos around,” Munnings explains, “and because it’s a recurring thing you develop a sense of community and that’s really awesome.”

Faker took the big crowds in stride. “I think it’s a lot more nerve-wrecking playing for smaller crowds because you feel more scrutinised.” New drummer Lucio Pedrazzi has recently replaced Paul Berryman (yes, the rumors are true), and kicked off his membership with one of the band’s bigger shows in WA. “It was kind of a baptism by fire for him because it was broadcast live around the country,” Munnings empathises. “It was a bit of a pressure gig, I’d imagine, considering he’s never done anything on that scale before.”

While we’re on the topic, why did Berryman leave the band? Munnings discussed a little tension in the studio, where lead singer Nathan Hudson is predominantly in charge of the songwriting. “That was sort of a factor in Phil leaving because he felt like he couldn’t contribute the way that he wanted to, but there are always other factors as well, ” Munnings explains. Some people have mentioned a relationship with an American girl as one of those factors, but I’ll leave that up to speculation. Maybe someday Faker will be big enough for a little celebrity goss, a la Perez Hilton. Until then, let’s focus on the music.

This is not the first line-up change for the band. In fact, only lead singer Nathan Hudson has been around since Faker’s 1996 start. Despite all the change, Munnings believes the sound is still distinctly Faker. “When Phil left I was anxious the music would change. I felt that the energy of the band would be altered by not having him there, but when we played our first shows as a four-piece after he left I realised the energy of the band was essentially the same. It’s true now also with Paul having left and Lucio playing drums.”

In terms of Hudson having control of the songwriting, Munnings thinks that’s fine too. “I think some bands can function as a totally democratic sort of thing, but I think in some situations there’s more focus if one person is steering it. I’m quite happy not to have a total democracy in favor of there being consistency.” That consistency is apparent on Faker’s latest album, Be the Twilight.

It was also quite a feat. The band began the recording process with an astounding 45 demo tracks, which were eventually whittled down to twelve. Munnings laughs about the process. “I think it’s good to have songs that sit well together because the demo-ing process yielded some, let’s just say, different results. We could have made a lot of different albums from the original list that we had. I think it was important for us not to make it too eclectic.”

Faker has a lot to thank L.A. producer Paul Fox for. After their record company set up conferences with a number of producers, Fox was the obvious choice. “Paul was the first one that we spoke to where we felt immediately that we were all on the same page,” explains Munnings. “He was sort of like, – œOkay, you guys have got a great record here, but I’m going to whip your asses and make it happen.’ And that’s exactly what was needed because we had been fuck-assing around for two years, trying to get the whole thing together.”

So what happened to the other 35 songs? “I’m sure plenty of those other songs have a life somewhere else in the career of a band. Making the record was really about trying to find the songs that made the most sense together as an album.” Addicted Romantic had a running theme of sexuality, confusion, and angst. “This album,” says Munnings, “is more about confronting anxieties.” According to him, it’s taken on a dark sound that is typical of Faker.

Although it’s hard for him to pick favorites (“The songs are all like our children”), Munnings admits the track Don’t Hide stands out because of its positive message. “It encapsulates the spirit of what the band is about, in contrast to the fact that a lot of our songs are a little bit dark. It’s nice to have a positive song on there that doesn’t completely fly in the face of everything else.”

Faker has found consistent balance in the studio, and now it’s time to take it to the stage. On this topic, Munnings is more at ease. “Playing live is really just about playing.” What can we expect on the upcoming FasterLouder sponsored tour? “Basically we’re going to turn up and play our songs a lot louder than you play them at home. And probably faster as well.” Ba dum ching.

In the future, Munnings hopes to take the act worldwide. “I’m really excited about the prospect of more touring. We haven’t really had the chance to be present in other markets [outside of Australia]. It’s a lot of hard work to do that, but we’re not afraid of hard work.”

You can catch the hard-working Faker on tour in Australia throughout May.

May

Thu 15- Sands Tavern, Maroochydore

Fri 16 – The Zoo, Brisbane

Sat 17 – The Zoo, Brisbane

Thu 22 – Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc

Fri 23 – Billboard Nightclub, Melbourne

Sat 24 – The Gov, Adelaide (Lic & All Ages)

Wed 28 – Anu Bar, Canberra

Thu 29 – Wollongong Uni

Fri 30 – Newcastle Uni (Bar On The Hill)

June

Sat 7 – Come Together Festival, Luna Park Sydney (All Ages)