Mike Patton, the frontman of Faith No More, has indicated the band’s future is unlikely, suggesting a sense of closure after their last tour in 2016. The comments, made during an appearance on the Consequence podcast “Kyle Meredith With…”, come after years of stalled reunion plans and the frontman’s own struggles with agoraphobia.
While Faith No More has not issued an official disbandment statement, Patton’s remarks signal a significant shift in perspective. “I didn’t really think so at the time, but, yeah, maybe,” he said when asked about closure following the 2016 tour, adding, “I think that we all kind of felt it, but it was unspoken.” The band’s last live performances concluded at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in August 2016, following the release of their 2015 album, Sol Invictus, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 chart. Billboard reports that plans for tours in both 2020 and 2021 were ultimately cancelled, first due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later due to Patton’s mental health concerns.
Patton’s comments contrast with those of founding member Billy Gould, who expressed uncertainty about the band’s future last year. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know,” Gould told Chilean radio station Radio Futuro, according to NME. This suggests a divergence in perspectives within the band regarding its potential for future activity.
Faith No More achieved significant commercial success in the 1990s, with the single “Epic” reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. The band has released seven studio albums including the critically acclaimed 1992 album Angel Dust, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200. Patton joined the band in 1988, replacing original vocalist Chuck Mosley, who passed away in 2017.
Despite the apparent winding down of Faith No More, Patton remains actively involved in other musical projects. He is currently touring with his band Tomahawk, alongside The Melvins, marking their first tour in 13 years. Patton also challenged the common categorization of his various bands as “side projects,” stating in the podcast interview that he views each endeavor as equally critical. “I’d never really understood…was the concept of a side project, that’s assuming that there’s a main one,” he explained. “And for me, I really never had one.”
The future of Faith No More remains unconfirmed, but Patton’s recent statements suggest the band’s chapter may be drawing to a close, leaving fans to contemplate a legacy built on innovative music and unpredictable performances.
