Slovak Alternative Band: Free Faces
Free Faces, a Slovak alternative band, emerged in the mid-1990s as a prominent trio consisting of guitarist Andrej Šeban, bassist Oskar Rózsa, and drummer Marcel Buntaj. Their musical prowess gained recognition from notable figures such as Ursíny, Brezovský, Varga, and Filip. Known for their improvisational approach, the trio seamlessly transitioned between genres, including drum and bass, hard rock, and psychedelia, creating an energetic and creatively charged atmosphere during their performances.
The dynamic changed when lyricist and vocalist Maroš Hečko, formerly of the Helpless Handful project, joined the group. Rózsa and Hečko brought their first demo recordings, featuring the track "Nothing Happens," to the Opus studio, where the trio expanded their sound. During this time, they recorded "Müller’s Night Optics," and in Müller’s absence, they created "Almost True Story."
"Nothing Happens" became a defining track for Free Faces, encapsulating the energy that characterized their music. The album "Almost True Story" opens with this song, which conveys the message of embracing the moment: "Nothing's going on, let's play." It concludes with "It's Gone Now," signifying an ending.
While their earlier music was largely instrumental and improvisational, "Almost True Story" showcased a more structured approach, heavily influenced by Rózsa’s electronic loops and keyboards, with Šeban's guitar often enhancing these electronic motifs. The album maintained a medium tempo and electronic undercurrents, reflecting global musical trends of 1998; this was a time when significant albums from artists like Kruder and Dorfmeister, Massive Attack, Kid Loco, Radiohead, and Portishead shaped the soundscape.
Hečko reflected on the thematic content of "Almost True Story," noting that personal experiences, such as a difficult breakup, deeply influenced the lyrics. He described "Doctor Says" as a song for someone special and emphasized the emotional landscape shaped by both personal and national events. The song "Walk Around & Roll In" emerged from a post-traumatic state following a chaotic weekend, while "Midnight in Europe" captured the fragmented feelings of Europe during that time, particularly as Slovakia was not yet part of the EU.
The tracks "Diva," "Choral," "Follybear," and "Waltz," inspired by the poetry of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, were released on a limited EP leading up to "Almost True Story."
In 1998, the music industry was characterized by physical formats, and radio airplay was crucial for reaching audiences. The market was dominated by major labels, and "Almost True Story" was not considered commercially viable by them, as larger names like Richard Müller sold tens of thousands of albums. Free Faces was estimated to sell around 5,000 to 6,000 copies, which they achieved. The album was released by the independent label Silberman and garnered attention from Radio Ragtime from its inception.
Following the album's release, Free Faces embarked on a 14-concert tour across Slovakia in just 14 days, receiving enthusiastic responses, with many shows selling out. Some criticisms arose regarding Hečko's accent and vocal style; however, the band's sound reflected the emerging trends of trip-hop and was distinctive for the time. Their unique blend of strange yet catchy songs captured the attention of listeners, leading to more radio play and television appearances.
Despite this idyllic period, tensions within the band grew, making it difficult to establish a clear leader. This brief but intense chapter in their history raised questions about whether such a structure was beneficial.
Described in the book "Rocková Bratislava," Free Faces is noted for its ambitious space-rock and experimental sound, which, while promising, did not fully materialize. Plans for an international tour around the release of "Almost True Story" ultimately did not come to fruition, perhaps due to timing.
For "Almost True Story," Free Faces received the highest domestic recognition at the Music Academy Awards, winning accolades for Discovery of the Year, Record of the Year, and Cover of the Year, although the band did not attend the televised ceremony.
Prepared by: Peter Dolník, Radio FM
