Monday, April 19, 2010

The Faction live at CBGB, NYC, 1985



Another random YouTube search results in another unearthed jem. If you skated in the mid 80's, chances are that you're familiar with these guys. From the Thrasher skate rock compilations, to the first Powell Peralta Bones Brigade Video Show, to the fact that their bassist/guitarist, Steve Caballero, is one of the most legendary and well respected skateboarders of all time. Plain and simple, The Faction are one of the greatest skate rock bands ever. To this day, their six song "Dark Room" 12" remains a personal favorite. This video here kicks off with "Tongue Like A Battering Ram", one of the six bangers off the "Dark Room" 12". Killer song, killer band, makes me want to put down this laptop and go skate a ditch. - Tim DCXX

10 comments:

Jason said...

RAD!!!! I loved the Faction. I remember it seemed like there was a controversy as if they were sort of a gimmick because they had pro skaters in the band and automatically were cool in Thrasher and stuff, but seriously, they had some of the best thrashy and catchy tunes!

Mertz said...

Sick! My band played with them the day after in Pa!

Anonymous said...

Can never get enough Faction! - They were supposed to come to Cleveland around that time but the club...The Underground...closed down and they weren't scheduled anywhere else - I didn't get to see them until just a few years ago...it was a good show too - I remember the big deal being that the band could never really tour because Steve was always dealing with either contests or Powell-Peralta stuff - Love the 1st Lp but the "Dark Room" Lp is my favorite and the first thing I had by them - Just a few years ago I was finally able to get "No Hidden Messages" Lp - If you are looking to get the full discography on CD you need to buy the Faction released disc and Adam Bomb Segal's release of Faction stuff...the 2 or 3 songs that complete the disco are on his disk

Ben Edge said...

Still my fave San Jose band. Always thought The Faction captured the true essence of California and all that goes along with getting radical, whether it's surfing, skating, or slamming. No way in hell could that band come out of NYC.

phinehas.roy said...

AWESOME! Now that is skaterock. I think "Dark Room" just made it's way to the top of my want list.

Neal said...

apparently beer city is releasing a faction dvd with every faction song ever recorded, hopefully including the 1 missing song (the brain) from the 2 collection cds and their later 90's demo. i think it's also going to include the entire cbgb's video, or some other live and skate footage.

i grew up listening to the faction on a half pipe down the street and they're still my favorite skate rock band of all time. my roommate got to see them in a milwaukee basement on this tour. at least i got to see one of their san jose reunion shows.

Anonymous said...

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ERIC SXE said...

I love this stuff. It's all about The Faction. I listen to their music like it was just released last week. It never gets old and it ROCKS!! I've got the 'No Hidden Messages' lp up on my blog page for those that want to check it out. It's my favorite release from them.

Sean said...

Wow, haven't thought about the Faction since 7th grade. It was skate rock like this that led me into hardcore, starting with the first Suicidal album. So good! This is my favorite blog on the internet nowadays btw.

Unknown said...

The Faction was the ultimate skate rock band.
I really wish they'd rerelease No Hidden Messages, Dark Room & Epitaph again, properly. I know there's the collection Ray Stevens II released but it's missing some great songs. Luckily I still have all their stuff(I sure wish it was in better shape though). I'll say it again, please rerelease everything.