The Faint – Blank-Wave Arcade

Description

Before Electroclash and the wave of 00’s Dance-rock there was The Faint, emerging in the late 1990s in Omaha, Nebraskaa place known more for stoic practicality than synth-punk. In that unlikely setting of beige restraint, they pioneered a sound that combined the melodic essence of new wave, the raw edge of post-punk, and the robotic futurism of Detroit electro. Breaking free from indie rocks humble comfort, they arrived armed with synths, dark eyeliner, and a raw, frenetic energy that dared audiences to actually feel something real, something primal. The late 90s and early 2000s indie scene was primed for a shock, and The Faint deliverednot just as a band, but as an invitation to cast off coolness, to sweat, to move, and to live fully in the moment.

The distinctive, synth-driven sound that brought The Faint to wide acclaim first surfaced on 1999’s Blank-Wave Arcade. The album was raw and daring, striking its own chord between early synth-pop pioneers (The Human League, New Order) and more recent heroes like Fugazi and Sonic Youth.

Twenty-five years removed from its release, The Faint are returning to announce a reissue of Blank-Wave Arcade. The reissue includes the original release – meticulously remastered for vinyl from the original tapes by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound – a new remix from the band, remixes from the era, live tracks, and a rarity previously only available on an out of print 7. With new music and a 2025 tour on the horizon, The Faints spirit remains fierce, their music offering a much needed respite from the soulless information age. And while the world has changed, The Faints invitation remains the same: sweat, move, and live fully in the moment.