Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 20, 2026

State Faults

State Faults are an American post-hardcore band formed in Santa Rosa, California in 2010. Noisey included their album "Resonate/Desperate" as one of the records that best captures the last decade of hardcore punk. In 2019, they were listed at number 16 on Kerrang's 50 Best American Hardcore Bands Right Now list.

Last revised
Jun 20, 2026
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≈ 5 min
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State Faults
Also known asBrother Bear (2010–2011)
OriginSanta Rosa, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2010–2015, 2019–present
Labels
Members
  • Jonny Andrew
  • Jef Overn
  • Jared Wallace
  • Michael Weldon
Past members
  • Chip Kelley
  • Toby Brown
  • Jordan James
Websitewww.statefaults.com

State Faults (formerly known as Brother Bear) are an American post-hardcore band formed in Santa Rosa, California in 2010.1 Noisey included their album "Resonate/Desperate" as one of the records that best captures the last decade of hardcore punk.2 In 2019, they were listed at number 16 on Kerrang's 50 Best American Hardcore Bands Right Now list.3

History

The band formed in 2010, under the name Brother Bear, releasing their debut EP, Head In the Clouds the next year.4 However changed their name soon after due to the large number of bands who were also operating under that name.5 On 8 May 2012, they released their debut album Desolate Peaks through Tiny Engine Records.6 On 12 November 2013, they released their sophomore album Resonate/Desperate through No Sleep Records.7 In 2015, Kelley departed from the band, while Chris Hansen from No Sleep Records was pushing the band to put out a new record. This led to the three remaining members deciding to officially break-up and work on a separate musical project, which would turn out to be noise rock band Slow Bloom.8

In 2019, Andrew, Weldon and Wallace reformed State Faults due to increased interest by fans and began recording material.8 Their first performance after reforming was at Santa Rosa's Chop Shop on 18 February, with support from Outlier, Sloth & Turtle and Pushing It.9 Their third album Clairvoyant was released on 21 June 2019.10 In December 2019, Brooklyn Vegan placed Resonate/Desperate at number 95 on their top 100 punk rock and emo albums of the 2010s.11 In addition to this, Chris Luedtke of Metal Injection included the album as an "Honourable Mention" in his list of the greatest albums of 2019.12

Musical style

State Faults have primarily been categorised as screamo1314 and post-hardcore1310 possessing elements of black metal,1516 post-rock,1718 shoegazing,19 heavy metal,20 noise rock, mathcore and heavy psych.1 Their music often makes heavy usage of dynamics,2122 by incorporating both ambient and cacophonous passages.23 Their softer sections are often utilized through the usage of reverb effects, ambient synths and occasionally spoken word.4 Dan Ozzi, a writer at Noisey, described their music as "what a panic attack sounds like".24 Some tracks, such as "Wildfires", incorporate melody and hooks into unclean vocals.25

Lyrically, their music generally focuses on spirituality,1 makes use of references to the occult26 and is heavily emotional.21 A number of the tracks on their debut album were based on anxiety and its repercussions.27 In an article for No Echo, Adam Yoe described their lyrics as "meditation on trauma and healing".23

They have cited influences including Loma Prieta,28 Suis La Lune, Pianos Become the Teeth, Mewithoutyou, the Cure, As Cities Burn, Thrice and Underoath.29

Members

Current
  • Jonny Andrew – lead vocals, guitar (2010–2015, 2019–present)
  • Jef Overn – bass (2020–present), vocals (2020–present)
  • Jared Wallace – drums (2012–2015, 2019–present), guitar (2010–2012)
  • Michael Weldon – guitar (2010–2015, 2023–present), vocals (2010–2015, 2019–2020, 2023-present), bass (2019–2020)
Former
  • Chip Kelley – bass, vocals (2010–2015)
  • Toby Brown – drums (2010–2012)

Discography

Studio albums
  • Desolate Peaks (2012)
  • Resonate/Desperate (2013)
  • Clairvoyant (2019)
  • Children of the Moon (2024)
EPs
  • Head In The Clouds (2011)
  • Moon Sign Gemini (2020)
Singles
  • Vespers (2010)
  • Arrowhead (2010)
  • Ugly (2012)
References

References

  1. "Exclusive: State Faults' New Track Flails With Satanic Panic". Kerrang!. June 12, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  2. Ozzi, Dan (August 22, 2018). "What Records Best Capture the Last Decade of Hardcore?". Vice Media. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  3. Enis, Eli; Krovatin, Chris; Fixell, Ethan (August 28, 2019). "The 50 Best American Hardcore Bands Right Now". Kerrang!. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  4. McGonigle, Andy (April 2015). "Album Review: State Faults – Head In the Clouds". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  5. Kamiński, Karol. "Interviews State Faults (ex-Brother Bear) interview". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  6. White, Tom (May 22, 2012). "Album Review: State Faults – Desolate Peaks". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  7. Bird, Michele (November 12, 2013). "State Faults Stream New Album, 'Resonate/Desperate'". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  8. Montoya, John (July 10, 2019). "Interview: State Faults". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  9. Perkins, Carly. "State Faults reunite at the Chop Shop with friends". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  10. Pessaro, Fred (April 16, 2019). "Hear Post-Hardcore Trio State Faults Channel Converge on Furious New Song". Revolver. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  11. Sacher, Andrew (December 18, 2019). "100 Best Punk & Emo Albums of the 2010s". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  12. Luedtke, Christoper (December 17, 2019). "Chris Luedtke's Top 20 Albums of 2019". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  13. Ozzi, Dan (October 3, 2013). "If You'd Like to Hear What a Panic Attack Sounds Like, Listen to This New Song from State Faults". Vice Media. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  14. Arsenault, Nici. "State Faults Debut New Music Video For "Wildfires"". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  15. "ostraca last (2017)". May 24, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  16. "State Faults Resonate/Desperate (2013)". November 15, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  17. "Album Review: State Faults 'Clairvoyant'". June 26, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  18. Sacher, Andrew (September 10, 2013). "State Faults releasing an LP (stream a new track, "Wildfires")". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  19. Breihan, Tom (December 13, 2019). "The 10 Best Hardcore Albums Of 2019". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  20. Fetty, Bill. "State Faults – Clairvoyant". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  21. Sennett, Troy. "Review: Statue Faults – 'Resonate/Desperate'". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  22. Loeffler, Shawn (September 3, 2013). "About State Faults".
  23. Yoe, Adam (July 23, 2019). "State Faults, "Dreamcatcher, Pt. II," from Clairvoyant (No Sleep Records, 2019)". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  24. Ozzi, Dan (October 3, 2013). "If You'd Like to Hear What a Panic Attack Sounds Like, Listen to This New Song from State Faults". Vice Media. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  25. "Review: State Faults – 'Resonate/Desperate'". Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  26. Senior, Nicholas. "Album Review: State Faults – Clairvoyant". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  27. Whitt, Cassie (August 29, 2013). "Song Premiere: State Faults, "Meteor"". Alternative Press. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  28. Development, PodBean. "Episode 258: Jared Cortland of State Faults | The New Scene". thenewscene.podbean.com. Event occurs at 1h15m30s. Retrieved June 16, 2026. Obviously Loma Prieta is another huge inspiration
  29. Kirschenbaum, Joel (November 14, 2013). "Interview: State Faults". Punks in Vegas. Retrieved June 16, 2026.