Jonathan Simkin sits down with Dave Faber of Faber Drive to talk through the making of Seven Second Surgery, late-night studio tales, vocal surgery and recovery, why some records break in Canada but not the US, and 604 Records’ plan to reissue and upscale videos for the band’s 19th anniversary. Dave also walks us through his son’s meteoric rise (Powfu / “Coffee For Your Head”), the legal/clearance journey, and what it’s like managing family in the streaming era.
• Faber Drive / Dave Faber —https://www.instagram.com/davefabermusic/?hl=en
• Verses — https://www.tiktok.com/@verses.604
• Jonathan - https://www.tiktok.com/@604simkin
Timestamps:
00:12 — Intro
01:48 —Dave's early career
04:37 — Pre-Faber Drive projects
06:02 — Family & kids (Isaiah, Henry)
08:39 — Signing story: Chad, Joey, Brian & how 604 got involved
12:24 — The producer dream team: Chad Kroeger, Joey Moi & Brian Howes
15:16 — Recording Seven Second Surgery — long sessions & memories
16:07 — Joey’s studio advice (loosen up in the booth)
19:47 — Vocal surgery: polyp / voice recovery
20:38 — Canada vs. US: what worked and what didn’t
24:20 — Demos, comeback single Get Up & Dance & “I Can’t Keep a Secret”
26:16 — Chief / Kevin Zaruk and team stories
28:12 — Later albums, singles still played today (Tongue Tied, When I’m With You)
31:27 — 19th anniversary reissue — upscales, vinyl & deluxe plans
33:46 — New acoustic recordings + cover (“(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight”)
36:34 — Faith in the music business — navigating conscience & challenges
39:29 — Powfu (“Coffee For Your Head”) story — beats, clearance & Columbia deal
44:14 — Streaming numbers, catalog value & Marianas Trench box set anecdote
46:36 — Legacy, fans, and final thoughts
47:35 — Close