Early years as Norman Bailer (1995–1997) Todd Fink,
Clark Baechle, and
Joel Petersen formed the project in Omaha in 1995 and performed briefly as Norman Bailer. The trio spent much of its youth skateboarding until Fink's knee problems redirected their energy toward songwriting. Matt Bowen joined for the debut album
Media, then
Jacob Thiele replaced him in late 1998, while Ethan Jones briefly handled bass duties. Jones left as the group developed
Danse Macabre, so Petersen split his time between bass and guitar while new member Dapose added a heavier guitar presence. The group expanded its touring production during this period, pairing tightly synchronized electronics with a high-intensity light show. "The Geeks Were Right" led the release cycle, and a North American co-headlining tour with
Ladytron supported the album. Baechle and Fink simultaneously pursued remix work and DJ sets under the Depressed Buttons name. After regrouping, the band issued a new full-length in 2014, titled
Doom Abuse, writing and recording quickly to emphasize a rawer, faster sound before returning to headlining tours. Saddle Creek issued a deluxe edition of
Danse Macabre on October 30, 2012 with remastering, outtakes, and archival video, and the band toured North America performing the album in full.
Return, Egowerk, and reissues (2016–present) Following their independent period, The Faint returned to Saddle Creek Records for subsequent releases and reissues. In 2016 the band released the retrospective
Capsule:1999-2016, which included the new track "Young and Realistic", and toured with
Gang of Four. In March 2025 they released a twenty-fifth anniversary deluxe edition of
Blank-Wave Arcade alongside a twentieth anniversary edition of
Wet from Birth, each packaged with remasters, remixes, and archival recordings. The band described the reissues as a chance to recontextualize the turn of the century albums and to circulate period-specific extras alongside newly remastered audio. ==Members==