Golden Age Thursday: The Faith Create Distorted Bliss in Washington D.C. On Rare Live Recording – Glide Magazine

When you think of hardcore punk from Washington, D.C., one of the first things that comes to mind is Dischord Records. The illustrious label helped publish and cement one of the most exciting cultural movements in music history, and its list of accolades and discography continues to stand as a monument to the 1980s hardcore movement. Dischord played a significant role in shaping the D.C. punk scene, releasing music from the short-lived, highly influential band, The Faith. 

The Faith began in 1981 with vocalist and brother of Dischord record founder, Alec MacKaye, guitarist Michael Hampton, guitarist Edward Janney, bassist Chris Bald, and drummer Ivor Hanson. Despite a brief discography consisting of only one EP and one LP, and a lifespan of just two years between 1981 and 1983, The Faith left a lasting impression on rock music with its more melodic approach. For this Golden Age Thursday, we’re championing The Faith with a listen to a 1983 performance from their home in D.C. Since there isn’t much footage or recordings of this band live, savoring every second of this distorted, twenty-minute journey into the nuances of The Faith is essential for any hardcore fan of hardcore.