Fake Problems

Fake Problems are an American rock band from Naples, United States, active from 2005 to 2014. Their line-up includes Chris Farren, Sean Stevenson and Casey Lee, and the group also includes Derek Perry and Brian Blount in its wider history. The band works across folk, folk punk, indie rock and punk, and their sound combines elements of folk, indie rock and punk rock.

History

Fake Problems form in Naples, Florida in 2005. The band tour and play shows with acts including The Hold Steady, Frank Turner, Against Me!, the Riverboat Gamblers, William Elliott Whitmore and the Dillinger Escape Plan. They become known for changing style from release to release rather than repeating the same sound.

Releases

Their first album, How Far Our Bodies Go, is released on Sabot Productions in 2007. Their second record, It’s Great to Be Alive, comes out on Side One Dummy Records in 2009. For that album, the band record in Omaha, Nebraska at ARC Studios with producer A.J. Mogis. Derek Perry arranges the strings, Look Mexico’s Matt Agrella arranges the horns, and the recording also uses a seven-piece horn section made up of University of Nebraska students and teachers.

Their later album, Real Ghosts Caught on Tape, is also released on Side One Dummy Records and is recorded with Ted Hutt in California. On that record, the band reduces the more expansive orchestration of the previous album and uses a more restrained approach, while keeping their mix of indie rock, folk and punk influences. The album also features crooning vocals from Mae Whiteman and Alia Shawkat.

Style and themes

Chris Farren’s songwriting is known for theological imagery, wordplay and metaphor. On Real Ghosts Caught on Tape, his lyrics focus more on uncertainty, fear, perseverance, hope and personal identity than on external deities. The band also uses intricate guitar parts and wall-of-sound production, while still drawing on DIY punk roots.

Membership

Chris Farren is the vocalist and guitarist, Sean Stevenson is the drummer, and Casey Lee is a former guitarist. Brian Blount joins on guitar after Lee leaves in 2012, and Derek Perry plays bass.