Not for the Faint of Heart

These days it’s hard to be an artist of any sort and not be on social media, says Todd Fink, vocalist for Midwest dance punk band The Faint.

“It’s part of what you have to do,” he tells me over the phone from L.A. “I don’t mind it.”

Nevertheless, his band’s latest album, Egowerk, out now on Saddle Creek Records, is themed around the negative effect social media has had on public discourse.

“The songs aren’t against social media as a whole,” Fink says. “They’re just pointing out the things that aren’t so hot about it.

“We’re now trained to think whatever opinion we happen to have, everyone should have, and everyone who doesn’t is our enemy.”

Back in the ’90s, The Faint added some abrasive electronic groove to Omaha label Saddle Creek’s usual roster of indie folk-rock. Label-mate Conor Oberst, also known as Bright Eyes, is a former member of the band.

At that time, The Faint used pummeling drum machines and burbling synthesizers while always managing to feel like a band of real humans.

Drawing obvious comparisons to a lot of ’80s post-punk, The Faint hand-selected certain elements of punk rock and new wave for a mix that’s both danceable and intellectually interesting.

Since then, the band’s stayed busy, releasing new material about every four years. It’s been five years since the last album of all-new studio material, but the band is always working on new material, Fink says.

“Music is always part of what’s going on in my life,” he says.

Before blowing out his knee, Fink was an avid skateboarder.

“Music and skateboarding — two sides of the same coin,” he says. “We always listened to music while we skated.”

Once he couldn’t skate anymore, Fink got into playing music. It took a while for his band to find its sound, he says. “When we started, you were just kind of doing what comes naturally, looking for your sound — what feels like you and the group of people you’re with.”

While conceding that social media is here to stay, does Fink see a way to recapture the failed democratizing potential of the internet?

“I think first we need to recognize the patterns before finding a way forward,” he says.

The Faint plays with Utah neo-goth rockers Choir Boy 9 pm Sunday, May 19, at Sessions Music Hall; $20 advance, $22 door, all-ages.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!