The Faint are back.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

FYI, The Faint are back.

The band let it slip this past April that it was reforming after announcing last September that it was on hiatus, partially due to Joel Petersen’s move to the West Coast. The Reader‘s Chris Aponick caught up with the band about what we’ll see on stage this weekend. Needless to say, Joel won’t be there.

From the story:

The band and Petersen are working toward a formal, legal agreement ending his involvement in the Faint and letting the other four members continue the band without any lingering hang-ups. “He doesn’t want to be in the band and he doesn’t live in the state. We want to do the band, so there’s really not much to talk about,” (frontman Todd) Fink says.

But the most interesting quote in Chris’ story:

“We’re mostly just a band and we’re going to make some stuff,” Fink says. “We feel like we’re in a good place. We have new ideas and I feel like they fit into what we think the Faint is.”

It’s been just over four years (Aug. 5, 2008, to be exact) since Fasciinatiion was released on The Faint’s blank.wav label. It’s high time we got some new material, gentlemen, though the crowd at Saturday’s and Sunday’s long sold-out shows at The Slowdown would be just as content to hear the hits once again. Like any good music, The Faint’s songs are somewhat timeless; but they’ve aged well especially in an era that values electronic dance music more than ever.

Openers for Saturday night’s Faint show are Capgun Coup and Touch People (Darren Keen, ex-The Show Is the Rainbow). Opening Sunday’s Faint show is Icky Blossoms, who has gained a reputation for creating a dance vibe similar to The Faint’s, and the always amazing Solid Goldberg. Both start at 9. Get there early. And like I said, both have been sold out for weeks.

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The Faint shows aren’t the only thing going on this weekend.

Tonight friends of Javier Ochoa remember the local legend in song. A former member of The Get, Blah Buddha and Goodbye, Sunday, the 43-year-old drummer was known more recently for his work in Led Zeppelin tribute band The Song Remains the Same. Javier passed away in June. Performing tonight are Never Trust The Living, Diana And The Maries, The Get / Ground Tyrants, Janglepop, The Filter Kings, Song Remains The Same and Secret Weapon. The benefit concert starts at 8 p.m. $7.

Also tonight in Benson, Secret Cities and I Am the Navigator play at The Sydney. The show is free and starts at 10.

Saturday night House of Loom House celebrates its 1-year Anniversary with a party featuring Philly/NYC DJ Rich Medina. $5, 9 p.m. Details at their Facebook invite. (RSVP to info@houseofloom.com for FREE entry before 10:30 p.m.).

Also Saturday night John Klemmensen and the Party play at The Barley Street Tavern with Marmalakes (Austin, TX) and Travelling Mercies. $5, 9 p.m.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2012 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

This week’s column talks about the marketing behind The Mynabirds’ new album, Generals. Is Laura Burhenn’s New Revolutionists concept the face of modern-day feminism or just a another way to sell records? You can read column in the new issue of The Reader, or online right here.

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Javier Ochoa

I learned this morning via Facebook of the untimely death of Javier Ochoa. A former member of The Get, Blah Buddha and Goodbye, Sunday, the 43-year-old drummer was known more recently for his work in Led Zeppelin tribute band The Song Remains the Same. I only had the privilege of talking with Javier a few times, when we discussed our mutual love of Led Zeppelin and classic rock. But more than anything, I’ll remember him for the way he hit this drums — he was, indeed, a force of nature…

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Tonight at the The Waiting Room it’s the CD release show for The Great American Desert’s (a.k.a. Max Holmquist) new album, Carson City (Yer Bird Records). Joining Holmquist are Millions of Boys, Betsy Wells and Family Picnic. $5, 9 p.m.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2012 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.