Fake Problems
Bio
Evolution is a naturally occurring force in life, however there’s nothing predictable about Fake Problems sonic journey from underground heroes to indie rock trailblazers. Since forming in Naples, Florida, five years ago the group—which includes vocalist/guitarist Chris Farren, bassist Derek Perry, drummer Sean Stevenson and guitarist Casey Lee—have released two critically acclaimed full-lengths, won over countless fans all over the world and toured and played shows with everyone from The Hold Steady to Frank Turner. However with their sophomore release on Side One Dummy Records, Real Ghosts Caught on Tape, Fake Problems have exceeded even their own lofty expectations by creating a cerebral masterpiece that sees the band fully reconciling all of their seemingly disparate influences and proving it’s finally their time to step into the spotlight.
Recorded with Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Lucero) in California, the album sees the band stripping down the expansive orchestration of 2009’s It’s Great To Be Alive and discovering what magic lurks at the core of Fake Problems’ collective psyche. “We wanted the album to be a little more subtle and let it speak for itself,” Farren explains when asked how found the act found the inspiration to craft a unique brand of music that manages to incorporate elements of infectious indie rock & roll and '60s girl groups—the latter of which is aided by crooning vocals courtesy of Fake Problems’ longtime friends/fans Arrested Development’s Mae Whiteman and Alia Shawkat.
Farren also acknowledges that Hutt helped the band realize their Phil Spector-esque wall of sound production style they had in their heads, which allowed them to transcend the DIY punk scene they grew up in without abandoning their roots. “In the past we would jam so many ideas into one song and it would just be too much,” Farren admits. “Ted helped us realize that while that approach is very creative, it’s wasn't the best way to go about writing this record” he continues. “This album was a good exercise in restraint and filtering the ideas so we could make every good idea really count.“
From soul-inspired indie-rock experiments like “5678” and chilling compositions like “Ghost To Coast” to sparkling beach punk-inspired gems like “Complaint Dept,” Real Ghosts Caught On Tape effectively shows how Fake Problems have organically developed into one of rock’s most exciting acts and will undeniably see them attracting a whole new base of music fans who are looking for something in what they listen to that can’t be easily described or marketed. “The song 'Complaint Dept’ was such a different thing for us to do because all of the guitar parts are so intricate and noodly,” Farren says when asked about some of his favorite moments on the album. “It was just so fun to be able to do that with our band because it’s surprising for a Fake Problems song, but it works for us.”
Real Ghosts Caught On Tape also sees Farren expanding his lyrical palette—and while he’s become well known for his theological imagery, this album sees Farren exploring himself more as opposed to any external deities. “There’s a theme in the lyrics of uncertainty,” he explains. “There’s an emphasis on fear, trying to persevere, not giving up hope and doing the best you can to stay positive,” he continues. “It’s more of a record about being yourself and living your own life than it is about any other person, concept or idea,” he summarizes. Although lines like “When I reach the pearly gates of hell, I'll send those dimes back up the wishing well with a note tied to each that reads 'Nobody's listening.'" (from “Complaint Dept.”) still display Farren’s gift for wordplay and metaphor, “it’s more of a conversation than a sermon.”
That said, Real Ghosts Caught On Tape isn’t going to make Fake Problems an easy act to categorize—but that’s something that they wouldn’t change for the world. “Creatively we always molded our band from the beginning so that we’d be able to do anything and tour with anyone from Against Me! to William Elliott Whitmore to even the Dillinger Escape Plan,” Farren explains. “I think it’s kind of hard to slap our name on a sticker and recommend us if you like another band, but I think in the long term it’s definitely a blessing that we’re not pinpointed into one thing,” he continues. “We really don’t ever want to be that type of band.”
“Sometimes I dream of getting in my car and driving straight through the night,” vocalist Chris Farren croons on the intricately arranged ballad “Ghost To Coast.” Real Ghosts Caught On Tape is the perfect soundtrack to that journey from darkness to light, showcasing a band who have grown to new artistic heights lying on the other side of the horizon.
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POZ Presents: Big Footprints - The Big Comp: 75 Bands, $5 For Charity Wed, Apr 03, 2013
It?s rare that we do compilations here at PropertyOfZack, but they tend to be special ones when we do. Today it?s a true pleasure to be taking the wraps off of a special charity-fueled compilation that we?ve been working on for a month or two now called The Big Comp by Big Footprints, Lame-O Records, and POZ.
Big Footprints is the marriage of musical and artistic communities around the world for the betterment of our environment. Donations will be going to The Nature Conservancy - a non-profit organization that works towards reforestation. We will also be participating in TNC?s Adopt An Acre program, where we will be adopting acres of land in The Appalachian Mountains, The Northern Rockies, The Southern Coastal Plains, as well as adopting acres of Coral Reef.
And when we say big, we mean it. For a minimum of $5 you can download 75 fantastic tracks by 75 different bands with all donations (minus Bandcamp fees) going directly to charity.
PropertyOfZack, Big Footprints, and Lame-O Records would like to thank No Sleep Records, Run For Cover Records, Topshelf records, Paper + Plastick Records Records, Pure Noise Records, Asian Man Records, Tiny Engines Records, and of course all the bands and artists involved in this great comp.
What are you waiting for? Check out the artwork and track listing and download the 75 band comp for a minimum of $5 (or more) below by clicking ?Read More.?
This summer! FAKE PROBLEMS is going on tour with dear friends THE MENZINGERS, along with new friends Restorations and Captain We?re Sinking!
These shows are at very small venues and likely to sell out quick - so purchase tickets NOW at http://menzingers.soundrink.com
5/24 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
5/25 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East - Downstairs
5/26 Amityville, NY @ Revolution
5/27 Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon
5/28 Buffalo, NY @ The Funeral Home
5/29 Cleveland, OH @ Now That?s Class
5/30 Detroit, MI @ Smalls
5/31 Indianapolis, IN @ Hoosier Dome
6/01 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
6/02 Milwaukee, WI @ The Cactus Club
6/03 St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird
6/04 Newport, KY @ The Southgate House Revival
6/06 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
6/07 Orlando, FL @ The Social
6/08 Jacksonville, FL @ Phoenix Taproom
6/10 Washington, DC @ The Rock and Roll Hotel
6/11 Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus
6/12 Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes
Fake Problems & You Blew It!?s split 7? is out TODAY! Stream it now on AbsolutePunk.net.
PS: they started shipping yesterday ? keep an eye on your email for your download codes today if you pre-ordered!
PPS: Read the absolutepunk review.
PPPS: Order it here.
The song, ?Small Devil Song? is from their forthcoming split with You Blew It! ? which you can pre-order from our store.
You Blew It! - ?I?m A Kid, That?s What I Do? from their Split with Fake Problems (which you can pre-order now).
Pre-orders for Fake Problems & You Blew It!’s split are now up! You can also stream a new song from the record over at Property of Zack.
Hey guys, in addition to the December 8th show in Naples, we?ll be playing the following shows with our friends in The Starting Line.
12-21 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution TIX
12-22 - Orlando, FL - House Of Blues TIX
12-27 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club (Sold Out)
12-28 - New York,?
The fellas at Light & Noise did an acoustic session with Fake Problems, You Blew It! and Dikembe during some down time at last month?s Fest 11. Watch it above!
Some seriously sexy stuff going on in November.
*As of now, we are not playing Fun Fun Fun Fest, but if anyone has any info on a sexy after party or show in Austin that night, let us know
A split is in the works, you guys, and it’s between two of Florida’s most well revered and highly regarded exports: Fake Problems & You Blew It!. Both bands are recording tracks now for a split that will be out later this year on Topshelf (which is us, in the third person). You Blew It! is recording one track with Derek Perry and another with Christian Padron, while Fake Problems is recording two new tracks with Derek Perry. The tracks will all be mastered by Perry as well ? and will be released on a 7 inch and digitally later this year, so keep your eyes peeled for that, hm? We’ll have more updates soon! In the interim, please be sure to catch Fake Problems on their tour with Against Me! this fall!
