Band of the Day (11.09.09): FAUST

Who?

Formed in the early '70s, the Germans of Faust (along with contemporaries Kraftwerk and Can) helped create a new branch of music that was more spacious, ethereal and psychedelic than any other rock band had produced thus far. The band formed on the cusp of a technological revolution between standard rock instrumentation and the introduction of synthesized sounds. Throughout their career, Faust have had a penchant for experimenting with noise, dissonance, anarchy and chaos as musical themes. One of the early pioneers of what would eventually become known as krautrock, Faust's first two albums were also precursors to what became punk and industrial music, though at the time it was simply considered new, exciting, and unlike anything people had heard at the time.

And I care because?

- Faust is your favorite band's favorite band. Bands as diverse as Radiohead, Tortoise, Deerhunter, and Wilco, all cite Faust as a major influence on their music.

- They mastered the synthesizer. While the bands above were directly influenced by Faust, many more were indirectly influenced via their use of synths. By being one of the first to play the instrument (and play it well), they paved the way for bands like the Flaming Lips, Muse, Hot Chip, Sonic Youth, Wolfmother, Pavement and many more.

- John Peel is never wrong. The legendary radio host was one Faust's biggest champions, once describing them as one of the most important bands of the 20th century and pioneers of experimental-guitar-noise-as-pop-music. In a flattering statement, he even said "Faust paint a bleak vision with music in much the way Leonard Cohen or Nico do with words."

Stream Faust IV below, buy their albums, and be sure to check them out on MySpace.