You are not logged in. Please register or login.
- Topics: Active | Unanswered
Re: Faith No More Guitarist Breaks Silence
Faith No More guitarist Jim Martin has finally broken his 15-year silence on why he quit the band at the peak of their success.
Martin also explained that he didn't take part in their 2009 reunion because they didn't consult him before plans to reunite moved forward.
He felt that the album they had released at the time, "Angel Dust", was "more contrived musically than I thought was necessary." He says that pressure from management and the record company made them rush the album, whereas he wanted to spend more time in the studio.
"Producer Matt Wallace [and the ] management and the record company were calling me complaining about Mike Patton’s performance and desire for outside projects," said Martin (via Classic Rock). Patton eventually left the band to focus on a raft of side projects.
Martin continued: "The record company president came in the studio and said: 'I hope nobody bought houses.' All the air got sucked out of the room. That was one of those great moments when reality slaps you in the face.
"The pressure was on, and everyone wanted to be in the studio with me while I recorded... I had to kick everyone out, and even though it was not a new concept it really pissed everyone off."
The pressure eventually drove him to quit, though until that point he still enjoyed playing live, where their recordings took a heavier edge.
So why didn't Martin decide to come back for their reunion shows? Here's his side of the story:
"In February 2009, Roddy Bottum called and said they were just beginning to think of putting something together, and just now feeling out everyone, and what did I think?
"I said I was interested - I also told him I knew the tour was already booked, they were on the eve of announcing it, and it was time to sign the deals. I told him to send over the contracts so I could review them and started pressing management for details.
"Several days later, I was able to get management on the phone who told me they decided to use someone else. I know it's odd - no, you didn’t miss anything. It happened just like that.
"In an effort to preclude any sloppy misinformation, I made the announcement that I would not be participating in the rumoured reunion dates, several days before they made their announcement."
Regretfully, he's ruled out any future appearances at any future Faith No More reunions, but would like to work on his own musical projects when he and his associates find time between raising families.
Re: Faith No More Guitarist Breaks Silence
It's interesting, but they pretty obviously weren't getting along even during that 92 tour with GNR. That breakup was coming a mile away. I remember seeing them on Mtv for something, and it was obvious the rest of them were antagonizing him, and he wasn't shy about saying he wasn't happy with the amount of guitar on Angeldust.
Part of me would have really liked to see him on the reunion tours, but a bigger part of me really digs those last couple albums that he isn't on, and I'd bet he wouldn't have been willing to play those songs.
Re: Faith No More Guitarist Breaks Silence
Yeah didnt really miss not seeing jim on them shows in 2009 am just glad billy showed up love the bass on FNM tunes 
This dvd is KiLLeR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … bpSHhqls5o
- Communist China
- Rep: 130
Re: Faith No More Guitarist Breaks Silence
Faith No More could really be split into two bands, and I don't think the moment is Patton's arrival on Real Thing. I think Angel Dust is the dividing point between the pre-Patton FNM and the Patton-driven FNM, and although maybe Real Thing was their most popular release, Faith No More fans tend to gravitate to the later stuff. I certainly have Angel Dust as their best album, and actually think it's one of the best rock albums ever. I'm not anti-Jim at all, and it would've been nice to have him in the reunion, but I don't think he's essential. I can certainly see how he would've only been let in the loop in the late stages of a reunion, and if he made a bunch of demands, I can see why they decided not to risk the head-ache. It's a shame when talented musicians with a history can't get themselves onto the same stage, though. No question about that.
Re: Faith No More Guitarist Breaks Silence
Heres a couple of shows from youtube patton would be in my top 5 singers of all time with out a doubt
08:12 Land Of Sunshine sound Killer love the bass
Always loved this one from when they were on tour with GNR 
Classic got this dvd 
Killer
HD
Full show got this dvd
Re: Faith No More Guitarist Breaks Silence
Have they done anything other than just play shows?
I think Patton is largely hit and miss and doesn't always know what's right. I think FNM fans overrate Angel Dust, and underrate Real Thing, but at the same time I think Album of the Year is their best work and King For A Day Fool For A Lifetime is a piece of turd.
I'm weird.
They were a completely different band with Chuck. More punk. So I don't count them.
Either way, I still miss Jim. He brought a cooler, Buckethead-vibe to the band.
Re: Faith No More Guitarist Breaks Silence
I think Patton is to blame for that. I really do. Maybe i'm wrong, but I think Patton's appeal brought a VERY ARROGANT aspect to FNM fans. That somehow thought they were "above" The Real Thing. I've seen the same thing in Pearl Jam fans that thought Ten was juvenile, when PJ turned all self-reflective and artsy.
Pound-for-pound, my personal opinion aside about Album of the Year... The Real Thing is without ANY doubt their best work. It just is.
It'd be like someone arguing that GN'R Lies is better than AFD in a GN'R community. The absolutely only argument i've ever heard against Real Thing is that the album was popular and a bunch of casuals liked it. Ummm... yeah, because it's uh -- good?
Bottom line -- no one would even know the name of Faith No More if it wasn't for The Real Thing. They were flash-in-the-pan nobodies with Chuck.
