The current Fake Problems tour is a bit of a departure for the band. The Naples, Fla., four-piece has toured plenty before, usually small headlining jaunts or in support of bigger acts such as the Gaslight Anthem and Against Me. This time around, the rock act is touring in support of 20-year-old folk singer-songwriter Never Shout Never.
“It’s certainly uncharted territory for us,” said Fake Problems founder and vocalist Chris Farren, from a tour stop in Tucson, Ariz., earlier this month. “These people definitely haven’t heard of Fake Problems. It’s amazing.”
| ONSTAGE |
| Fake Problems |
| » Where: Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring |
| » When: 5 p.m. Thursday. In support of Never Shout Never, with Plain White T’s, A Rocket to the Moon and Carter Hulsey |
| » Info: $22.95; fillmoresilverspring.com |
Fake Problems performs in support of Never Shout Never at the Fillmore Silver Spring on Thursday.
Described by a friend as “beach punk,” a term that Farren concedes “pretty much means nothing,” Fake Problems has three full-length albums to its name, the last 2010’s “Real Ghosts Caught on Tape.”
The band’s song “Soulless” has been featured in both an AT&T and an Android television commercial.
“It’s so cool to just be watching something on TV and then all of a sudden a commercial comes on and you’re song is playing in the background of it,” Farren said. “It’s surreal. It’s strange. But I’ve always wanted that to happen. I want our music on television. I want to be in a car commercial or something like that. I think that’s awesome. It’s finally a way for bands to make money. You don’t really make any money being in a band. So when those things come around, it’s definitely an extra bonus. Now I make as much money as somebody who works at 7-Eleven.”
With the last album more than a year old, Farren said he’s been working on some new music. He’s written 22 songs, 10 of which he really likes.
“I just want to make a record that’s just, like, every song is perfectly crafted,” he said.
While fans of Fake Problems will have to wait a little while for new music, there’s plenty of chances to see them live. And maybe see something new.
“The point for us going on tour supporting other bands is to reach new people that have never heard us before,” Farren said. “We’re connecting and it’s definitely going well.”
