By the time they recorded their first album in 1985, the band had already had a string of
lead vocalists, including
Courtney Love. Their debut,
We Care a Lot and
Introduce Yourself, featured
Chuck Mosley as lead singer. In 1988, the rest of the band fired Mosley; he was replaced by
Mike Patton during the recording of their next album,
The Real Thing. Patton was a more
accomplished vocalist, able to change effortlessly between rapping and singing. Their hit single "
Epic", was a terrific mix of
Rap and
Metal, and established them as a leading rock band.
Faith No More followed their breakthrough success with 1992's Angel Dust. In 1994 the band fired the guitarist, Jim Martin. Faith No More recorded King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime with Mr. Bungle guitarist Trey Spruance. For me, this album features the greatest FNM guitar playing. During tour preparations he was replaced by Dean Mentia. Mentia only lasted for the length of the King for a Day tour and was replaced by Jon Hudson for 1997's, Album of the Year.
The band disbanded in 1998, and later that year, Who Cares a Lot, a compliation album, was released.