The Faint are an American dance-punk band formed in Omaha, Nebraska in 1995, part of the Saddle Creek family, who traded indie rock guitars for dark, pulsing synths. Danse Macabre (2001) is the key record of the early-2000s dance-punk revival — start there, no question. Explore The Faint vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
The Faint formed in Omaha, Nebraska in 1995, initially under the name Norman Bailer. The band is led by vocalist Todd Fink and has been closely tied to Omaha's Saddle Creek Records, alongside labelmates like Bright Eyes. Over time the band shifted from guitar-based indie rock to a synth-heavy dance-punk style that defined their best-known work.
The Faint play dance-punk, electro, and synth-driven new wave, combining pulsing electronic rhythms, distorted synths, and dark, often dystopian lyrics. Their album Danse Macabre is frequently cited as a key record of the early-2000s dance-punk and electroclash revival, influencing many indie acts who incorporated electronic dance elements.
Danse Macabre has been reissued in expanded and remastered editions, and Saddle Creek pressings of the band's catalog appear in colored-vinyl variants. The early-2000s releases are of particular interest to dance-punk collectors.
Listeners new to The Faint almost always start with Danse Macabre (2001). For related listening, see and .
