Song of the day for November 27, 2023

Today’s song is from the band Faith No More. The song I am choosing is the song everyone knows by them, Epic. Although this band has released several songs and albums over the years, this is the only song that ever had any commercial success, peaking at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two in New Zealand, and number one in Australia for three weeks. It is among the band’s most popular songs and a staple in their concerts.

“Epic” was ranked number 30 on VH1’s 40 Greatest Metal Songs. In 2009, it was ranked the 54th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.

Mike Bordin is one of the original members of Faith No More. In 1981, Bordin left EZ-Street because of frictions with guitarist Jim Martin. He joined up with a San Francisco post-punk outfit going under the name of Sharp Young Men. Sharp Young Men was fronted by Mike Morris (also on guitar), with Billy Gould on bass and keyboardist Wade Worthington. After playing a few shows for a year, the band decided to change its name because it didn’t like the image it gave off. In late 1982, Sharp Young Men became Faith. No Man., a name that Bordin suggested, meaning “Faith In No Man”.

Faith. No Man. recorded a two-song 7″ single in early 1983, followed by a three-song demo tape in the summer. In between those two recordings, keyboardist Wade Worthington left and was replaced by Billy Gould’s childhood friend Roddy Bottum. In the late summer, Bordin, Bottum and Gould quit Faith. No Man. because of frictions with Morris, and formed a new band, Faith No More. Faith No More played its first show in October 1983. Bordin’s former EZ-Street bandmate Jim Martin later joined the band in the summer of 1984.

Mike Bordin is 61 years old today! Happy Birthday Mike!