Faith No More played the Hammersmith Odeon on the 27 April 1990, on the first of two career-defining nights in London. It was the band’s fourth UK tour in the space on 10 months, and they were at the peak of their popularity and power. They would play Brixton Academy, where You Fat Bastards was filmed, the following night, playing to almost 9,000 people in London over two nights.
Here is audio of the Hammersmith show:
And, of course, you can read all about this historic tour in the Faith No More biography Small Victories, available for pre-order now.
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I had struck up a friendship with Chuck Mosley who gave me his backstage pass (cause does he really need to wear one to go backstage?). I talked to Jon outside before going back for about 10 minutes…talked about his work with Systems Collapse that I had heard online, his inability to follow through with the interview he had agreed to do for FNM Blog because it would have given away Sol Invictus which was a secret at the time. Then backstage I only exchanged a few words with Puffy (he was exhausted), but Patton and I talked for about 20 minutes, then Billy and I talked for another 20 minutes. I got to thank Bill for essentially making all this possible. I posted on here about this the next day back in 2015 mainly to correct a point…people were bashing Chuck for struggling through Mark Bowen. Patton struggled through his own songs that night. Patton made a point to tell me he was a fan of Chuck’s solo album and he wished more people “got” his talent. I hung out with Chuck and Doug Esper until about 3am that night. We got a late night breakfast at a nearby casino.
“Hung out back stage” ??? Did you win a competition for backstage passes ? Did you get to ask any interesting questions or get to converse ?What about you Adrian? You must have met with them a few times ?
Here is an amazing and frightening point of fact…when I hung out back stage with FNM in Detroit 2015, Patton revealed that he does not use earplugs anymore. I briefly admonished him for that, me being a speech therapist with training in audiology and hearing loss. I love Patton and his music and want him to keep being able to make it. I also hope he quits smoking and drinking (I think he still smokes occasionally).
Best gig i ever witnessed – sound wise .. I was especially lucky to get tickets in seated area so i missed nothing and was able to fully observe the performance. I couldn’t imagine going to a fnm gig and jumping about with the music like regular metalers do because for me fnm are not a regular band . I can only speak for myself but fnm are a band that are better observed and given your full attention to fully appreciate. I’m not sure if their soundboard guy is a long time full time member of staff but he is phenomenal.. they are the loudest band I’ve seen live – the Olympia was seizure inducing because it’s a tiny indoor venue but donnington was an excellent example of their unbeatable live sound quality… I think Chris Evans remarked on the decibel level when they played on tfif
Missed that one.
Ireland rarely gets nothing musically interesting. I did however see fnm’s donington warm up gig in the Olympia in 2009 . Couldn’t believe they played such a Small venue ..
Hi Ben and Col,
Thanks for keeping the Faith.
The book is pretty all-consuming even if it’s all finished.
I’ll put up a links… digest here before the end of the week, though it too is likely to be book and Dead Cross related.
Speaking of which, I’m seeing Dead Cross next Tuesday here.
Thanks again
@benrum – There’s a book to look forward to and that will scratch my fnm itch for now . From the unexpected reunion to an album followed by radio silence is frustrating but what else could one expect from fnm.. they always seem to surprise their fans and keep us all guessing . I check this page every day too . Ps : at the moment I’ve been listening a lot to “the world is yours” both studio and live version and the BBC “matador” live version. Both phenomenal tracks . Odd time “absolute zero” and my go to album at mo is “kfad” .. a lot of “tomahawk- mit gas” for “natural disaster” and “bird song” and the live tv version of “god hates a coward” Mr bungle wise its prob “carry stress in jaw” live lounge type version they did and “goodbye sober day” live version too
Okay…I’m starting to go bonkers. It’s been 2 years since the WCAL re-issue (which I still love) and last performances. I miss the FNM that used to put out a song with Boo-Yaa Tribe hear, or Sparks there, or an EP of “love songs” with Rhino porn on the cover. Sol Invictus was a profound return…excellent in every way. The next thing the band does need not be profound, just true to the band. Have fun with each other. Put out an EP of live covers from the tours. The Faith. No Man. singles plus demo songs as an EP. FNM’s first show with Joe Pye on vocals as an EP. Take 4-5 songs written for Sol Invictus that Patton didn’t choose to put vocals on and release an instrumental EP. Collaborate with The Young Gods. Collaborate with Killing Joke. Collaborate with Childish Gambino. Collaborate with Savages. Do a Cardiacs tribute EP. Whatever keeps it exciting. Just be a band.
2018 is almost halfway over and I’ve enjoyed the Kool Arrow release “Voyage” by uSSSy more than anything else. “Strategic Operation” by Flattbush (executive produced by Bill Gould) was also a lot of fun. The Dead Cross EP was fairly underwhelming. Looking forward to Patton’s 1922 next month and I hope there is a release of his collaboration with Uri Caine but I doubt it…getting licensing on all those songs; maybe they’ll have a whole album of originals to put out. Excited to hear that track by Roddy with Hifiklub that has him reciting the Dickinson poem…that track was great…so why can’t I buy it anywhere??!! I hope they work together more like the news suggests.
Here’s what I haven’t heard which I would really love to hear: release dates for the next Tomahawk, the next Imperial Teen, the next Talking Book, Chuck’s solo album (and final music likely), the Cement album re-release, and some solo work from Jon Hudson if FNM is not going to use your music for anything. I like his playing in Systems Collapse & Rocket Moth and would love to hear more. The real only shining light in this year’s future is “Small Victories”…thank you for that!
Hammersmith Odeon was my first bootleg…it was actually my introduction into the idea of bootlegs. I found it in a record store in Orlando, FL. I loved it…way more than the Brixton live CD because it was a complete show and that really helps you get the feel of what a FNM live show is like. I still wish they would re-release the complete Brixton show, cuz it is a good performance (but there are many better). I spent the rest of the 90’s hovering over ebay to get all the other bootlegs!
I also made the trip for “rhythm records” and “borderline records” for the bootlegs .
The good old Sound Cellar. Was the only place to get a lot of rock and metal in Ireland in the early 90s.
I have this on vinyl , on the sleeve it says “for promotional use only , NOT FOR RESALE” – the sound cellar in dubland sold it anyway ..
I should have known, Jim
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