Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Faux Pas

 
ORIGINS: Penrith, NSW
GENRE: Pop-Punk
YEARS ACTIVE: 1999-2006
 
MEMBERS:
  • Nick Chapman - Vocals, Guitar
  • Kristian Catanzaro - Drums
  • Jordan Catanzaro - Bass (2002-2006)
  • Mike Chapman - Vocals, Guitar (2000-2006)
  • Christopher Valderama - Bass (1999-2002)
  • Joel Caruna - Guitar (1999)
RELEASES: 

  • A Lesson in Dude Rock (2000)
    • 1. D.M.Y.
    • 2. Marian
    • 3. Miss Potato
    • 4. Poor Lawless Dan
    • 5. Poo 
  • Demos (2001-2004)
    • Good Song
    • Ska Song
    • Pruillas 

  • Self-Titled (2005) - Download Here.
    • 1. How I Feel
    • 2. Got a Gun
    • 3. You Can't Touch the Posse
    • 4. D.M.Y.
    • 5. Tennis
    • 6. Free Me
    • 7. Too Far
    • 8. Bite My Tongue
    • 9. Party Time
 
SUMMARY: Initially starting out as 'Foe Par' and jamming on covers of punk songs, the band underwent a lineup shuffle with the two original members (Nick and Kristian) joining forces with their brothers (Mike and Jordan respectively) and then changing their name to 'Faux Pas'. Faux Pas went on to play regularly on the All Ages circuit in Western Sydney and released two CDs.
 
SHOWS: 
ORAL HISTORY:
NICK: Myself and three other mates shared the same taste in music and decided we wanted to be in a band. We were all starting out on our chosen instruments so we spent a lot of time just jamming and trying to figure it all out. We had a great Music teacher in Year 8 who was a big help to us. He would spend his lunch break letting us into the Music room to jam. 
Nick Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
KRISTIAN: It was Year 8 in high school when we got to do Music as a subject. I had a few friends who could already play instruments. At the same time, I remember Nick let me borrow the single for 'Dammit' by Blink. It had some live songs from their Warped tour and I just loved the sound. The Chapman brothers introduced me to lots of new bands. Since everyone was already playing guitar and I was shit at it, I had to ask Mum to buy me a drum set so I could try to learn how to play and jam with the boys.
Kristian Catanzaro (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
 
NICK: My brother Mike had been playing guitar since he was 11. He was way ahead of us all so original guitarist Joel was out and Mike was in! We would always jam at Kris's house and his younger brother Jordan had taken an interest in bass, so he eventually replaced Chris.  
Nick Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

MIKE: We were all super into Blink, Frenzal, ALL, Descendants, and anything Fat Wreck Chords or Epitaph. That kind of stuff. We got into New Found Glory too and liked anything punk-related. The Ataris were another one. I'd taken overt from Joel, who went on to play in One by Wednesday. We started writing music and then we thought we wounded okay so we started looking for gigs.
Mike Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
NICK: Playing in a band with my brother was great. I loved it most of the time. We have always been great mates and both share a love for music. Trouble is, we could get on each other's nerves sometimes, just be always being together I suppose. And being brothers, we know how to stir each other up pretty well.  
Nick Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
MIKE: Mum named the band 'Faux Pas'. We looked up what it mean and thought, "That's a sick band name!" Then we wondered if Mum was secretly the taking the piss or trying to tell Nick and me something. It was originally spelled 'Foe Par', but that was ridiculous so we went back to the proper spelling. It was a cool name though. Even if Mum does think we are an embarrassing mistake. 
Mike Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024


KRISTIAN: Nick and I had done one or two shows under the name 'Foe Par' where we mainly played covers. Our first show with the main lineup, and playing as Faux Pas, was at the hall attached to Jamisontown Public School. Bagster headlined. The band really started when Mike came in with the songs he had written. He always jammed with us before this but I don't think he liked getting up on stage. 
Kristian Catanzaro (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

MIKE: Our first show was extremely punk rock... I'm pretty sure it was a McHappy Day in Blacktown and our parents drove us to the gig. I was so nervous that I stared at Nick through the whole set (which would be a recurring theme). He is very handsome and it was very comforting. He's been my best mate my whole life. Dad always says he enjoyed how we would harmonise and then smile at each other if we nailed it. 
Mike Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
NICK: Our first real gig was at St Clair Skate Fest. We hadn't written any songs at this stage so we played a set of Blink 182 songs. Enema of the State had not long come out I think so we played the first half of that album. I remember a chick jumped on stage (which was a flat bed trailer) and simulated wanking a big dick, insinuating that we were wankers. I think because we weren't 'punk' enough and Blink 182 were thought to be sellouts by some people at that time. With about two songs left to play, a guy walked over and helped us out with setting our levels. There wasn't a full P.A. setup, just a little one for vocals. I can only imagine how bad we must have been, haha. He was really nice and encouraging to us. I can't remember his name but I know he played in a band in Penrith. 
Nick Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

MIKE: After our first show, we played a house party here or there and some community events. I vaguely remember playing an empty park in Rooty Hill with three people watching us. Mum was one of them. The other two were the organisers. 
Mike Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

MIKE: Things changed when Kris started meeting people online and made some connections. One of the connections was with Final Request. Faux Pas were a bit awkward meeting new people but Final Request were always so easy to hang out with. Renee got us some gigs and it all went from there. 
Mike Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
KRISTIAN: I have so many good memories of playing gigs. Like at the Channel Cafe, when the scene was thriving with so many awesome bands around. I also remember hearing our band mic'd up to a proper P.A. system and watching people enjoy our songs, and going to all the parties with the friends we made through Faux Pas.  
Kristian Catanzaro (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

NICK: I remember most of the venues like PCYC, Channel Cafe, Richmond Community Centre. 
Nick Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

MIKE: I'm not sure why we called the EP 'Dude Rock' or what it was meant to be. We just sounded like little bogans. 'Bog Rock' would've been better.
Mike Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

 
MIKE: Playing at the Palais in Newcastle was a standout show. There was a big crowd there and a few people knew the band. It was a really nice old building with an amazing atmosphere and we had a great time. Another memorable show was a Sunday arvo gig we did in Leichardt at Norton's. This booking agent had booked us and we got up and did our set to a room that did not resemble our usual audience. Turns out the booking agent got mixed up, and it was a singer/songwriter Sunday sesh. Our set went over really well, as you can imagine. The Channel Cafe gigs always stood out too - for better reasons. That place was awesome and we feel so lucky to have been able to play there and be a small part of that scene. It was such a good thing to have and we met so many great people at the Channel. 
Mike Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
KRISTIAN: Another favourite memory is opening for my big cousin Joey's band Unpaid Debt at the Backdoor at Panthers Leagues Club. It was a pretty solid show. Everyone was obviously there to see Unpaid Debt but we did okay! I remember being pretty nervous playing before them with Joey there.  
Kristian Catanzaro (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

MIKE: We became more confident in our songwriting ability over time and started to have more original ideas. Lyrically,w e started to try touching on different subjects like religion and mental health. Sometimes, we did this in serious ways, and other days we tried to do something that made a serious point while using our sense of humour. Looking back, some of the lyrics were good and some were embarrassingly bad. What I love about revisiting them is that it reminds me of so many great times and so many great friends from back them. 
Mike Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

KRISTIAN: I don't think spending everyday together like we pretty much did for however many years was going to be sustainable. We had to get jobs and girlfriends. We still talk about putting another show on in the future. We were super close to recording some awesome songs when we stopped playing. 
Kristian Catanzaro (Drums), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024
 
NICK: I was a bit tired of the grind I think. I might not have realised that's what it was at the time, but I think that's what it was for me.  
Nick Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

MIKE: The band finished because of silly disagreements. We are all friends to this day and we were friends after we ended the band. It was just a stupid argument and we call it a day.
Mike Chapman (Vocals, Guitar), Noise Levels correspondence, 2024

RELATED BANDS: One By Wednesday, Lonesome Ghosts, The Pointy Heads, Lavamachine




 







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