Neither The Faint nor Gang of Four are household names, but for devotees of a certain type of music, they’re essential artists. The bands represent two different eras, but both have had enormous influence on the artists that followed them in those eras, artists that achieved greater success and often did become household names. The Faint is one of the key bands of ’90s indie rock, with its combination of punk rock energy and dance beats that can be heard reflected in most bands on alternative rock radio today. Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst was an early member of the band, and while he became an indie-rock poster boy, his former bandmates have remained slightly under the radar, turning out smart, highly acclaimed albums that reach a devoted, in-the-know audience.
Nearly 20 years before The Faint debuted, the members of Gang of Four took punk rock as a jumping-off point to deliver passionate political messages, and their music also evolved to incorporate hip-hop and disco beats, marking an important precursor to the new wave bands of the 1980s. Elements of their sound can be heard in many of the same bands that The Faint has impacted, in a chain of musical influence that goes back decades.
Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, 7 p.m. Oct. 21, starting at $29.50 plus fee, 18+. 702.862.2695
