‘Faber Drive’ rocks Townshend

Complete with the awesome lighting rig, deafening music, and famed songs, “Faber Drive” took to the stage at the Townshend Theatre on Monday night, entertaining both young and old alike during an astounding concert.
Lead singer Dave Faber, guitarist David Hinsley, bassist Jeremy Liddle (“Krikit”), and drummer Ray Bull (“Red Bull”) amazed the crowd with hit singles “Tongue Tied,” “When I’m With You,” and “Second Chance,” along with a variety of other songs from their debut album “Seven Second Surgery.”
“We write songs for kids three to 80 years old,” said Faber. “We try to make songs that are relatable to everybody.”
Hailing from Vancouver, “Faber Drive” embarked on their cross-Canada tour about five weeks ago, with three weeks still to go.
They’ve been travelling with “Hello Operator,” a band from Toronto, but also have toured with other bands like “Hedley.” They are enjoying the tour very much, but it is a lot of work.
“We’re on our feet about 20 hours a day,” noted Hinsley.
They absolutely love everything, though—especially the fans.
“We’re really excited,” Faber said of the number of fans in Rainy River District. “There were about 15 dates sold out, and this one sold out the fastest.”
“Faber Drive” got together four years ago this April. Originally called “Faber,” they entered a contest in Vancouver.
Eventually, they were voted the best band in Vancouver after being voted in the top 20 out of 500 bands, duelling it out live on the radio to make it to the top 10, and then playing various competitions at Vancouver clubs to become number one.
“You have to work your butts off, and do it for the music,” Faber said about making it in the music industry.
“You have to use your brains, and find the best producer, or a producer with a track record, to do it,” he noted. “We first worked with Nickelback’s producer Joey Moi, just because he’s Nickelback’s producer.
“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary,” Faber stressed.
“You have to live it and love it,” agreed Hinsley.
The band members get along really well. Even though there are arguments, they are quick to admit when they are wrong.
They have a tight brotherhood, which is one of the best things you can have in a band. Faber and Hinsley admit to being the most sensitive ones, whereas they describe Liddle and “Red Bull” being the ones who let almost anything fly.
A majority of their songs come from personal experiences one way or another. Faber said they do anything to make it work—and it doesn’t matter how long it takes.
Sometimes they have to change it around a bit just so it will sound great.
When it comes to the most favourite song they’ve created, Faber and Hinsley both agree on “Sleepless Nights.”
“It’s a song about domestic violence,” explained Faber. “It took a long time to write.”
The band wanted to let children living in abusive homes know that they are not alone. Faber’s favourite lyric from the song is one from the chorus: “Love’s not enough when you say it/Don’t you know you gotta mean it.”
“There’s a difference between saying ‘I love you’ and actually meaning it,” reasoned Faber. “Like, anybody can say ‘I love you’, but you have to show it.”
They handle the pressure really well. They try not to get caught up with other things, like the stressful tasks. They leave those for other people to do.
“Oh, we warm up for half an hour; we stretch out, you know, push-ups and crunches,” Faber said of the band’s pre-concert rituals.
“Then we do vocal warm-ups, say a prayer, and then we shake and bake.”
They have experienced a lot, and gained “life knowledge.” Though touring is mostly serious, there still is some room for some fun.
They always play pranks on other bands—and have enjoyed doing so. They also are all “wannabe” piano players, though Liddle is really the only one who can play it really well.
When it comes to the hardships of high school, Hinsley has some crucial advice.
“Stick it through because everything changes after high school,” he stressed. “They think that’s what the real world is like, but it’s not.”