The Faim Q&A
By Megan Hoff
After working with producer John Feldmann and writing songs with Pete Wentz, Mark Hoppus, and Josh Dun, Australian band The Faim is rising through the ranks of alternative rock. Josh Raven sings lead vocals, Stephen Beerkens plays bass and keyboard, Samuel Tye plays guitar, and Linden Marissen plays drums. I talked with Beerkens about how the group came together, the story behind the band name, and how he deals with homesickness.
How did you all meet?
Myself and our vocalist Josh were in high school together. We were in the same music classes and did a bunch of performances there. Our guitarist, Sam, actually played cricket with Josh when they were like 10 years old or something. Our drummer, Linden, worked at the Hen House, which was our rehearsal studio, back in Perth. So that’s how we all found each other.
Why the name, "The Faim"?
We tossed and turned between a bunch of band names, and we wanted something that was like, universal. Something that would speak broadly across all genres. We tossed and turned with the name, “The Fame,” but we didn’t really like how it was spelled. Then we thought we should spell it “Faim”; it means “hunger” in French. We were like, “Perfect.” It’s something big, and something that speaks like one message.
What's it like to be on tour with Andy Black of Black Veil Brides?
It’s awesome. Being on tour with such an established artist is great, and we just love being back here in America, you know? The drives are pretty long, but there’s just beautiful scenery. Everywhere you go, it’s like a different drive and different route to go. You meet different people in each state, which is awesome, like each state has… almost a different culture. The people are all unique.
Have you ever played in Minnesota before?
I think we have. I’m pretty sure we were there with Hands Like Houses late last year. They’re another Australian band that we toured with at the end of last year, and I’m pretty sure we played in Minnesota. I’m like 98% sure.
The band has undergone some reorganizing during the past year. How do you stay resilient in times of change?
You just gotta be there for each other. It’s a big thing and [it’s important to] be together as a unit… the biggest part of that is just communication with each other, and once again, just being a team. That’s the biggest thing.
What have you been listening to lately?
I have been listening to a bit of Nothing But Thieves. That was on my playlist yesterday. Really loving them. Foals in the car. I’ve never actually listened to them before, but our tour manager and front-of-house guy, Joe, has been pumping them. I’ve actually been listening to Kings of Leon lately, too.
If you could play at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
I reckon, like, one of the goals is to play Wembley or Madison Square Garden. But like, one of my favorite ones has got to be Red Rocks [Amphitheatre]. That place is amazing. It just looks insane. The crowd is in tiers that go up, like stone tiers that keep on going up. It’s crazy.
Favorite song to play live?
My favorite song to perform live is totally our newest one, “Amelie.” It’s super pumping, has a lot of different sounds in it, and yeah, it’s a good one. It’s good fun.
What do you do to combat homesickness when you’re out on the road?
I call home a lot, call my friends, see how they’re all doing, which always helps. And I like to do things myself, like go to the gym; that’s always a good thing to do. I watch some anime every now and then. It’s always fun. I’m a big anime watcher, so, it helps [me] to chill out.
The Faim will be opening for Andy Black at Varsity Theater on May 8.