Faris Badwan
The enigmatic frontman of the Horrors who transformed from a garage-rock ghoul into a sophisticated architect of atmospheric post-punk.
Born 1986 (age 40)·English musician·Birthday: September 21·Millennials
Biography
Faris Badwan emerged as the striking visual and vocal center of the Horrors, a band that began as a campy garage-punk act and evolved into one of Britain's most sonically ambitious groups. With a gaunt frame and a shock of black hair, he was initially a figure of pure theatre. However, as the Horrors' music deepened into textured, synthesizer-driven soundscapes, Badwan's persona matured into a brooding, baritone narrator. His creative restlessness led him to form Cat's Eyes with Rachel Zeffira, a project that explored baroque pop and filmic scores, showcasing a vulnerability absent from his main band's work. Badwan represents a rare arc in modern rock: a stylist who became a substantial artist, continually subverting expectations.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Faris was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Faris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Faris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led the Horrors through a radical sonic evolution, culminating in critically acclaimed albums like 'Primary Colours' and 'Skying'.
- Co-created the duo Cat's Eyes, whose self-titled debut album merged indie pop with classical and soundtrack influences.
- Performed the Cat's Eyes song 'I Knew It Was Over' at the Vatican for a contemporary art event.
- The Horrors' album 'Primary Colours' was nominated for the 2009 Mercury Prize.
Did You Know?
He is a trained illustrator and has created artwork for the Horrors' releases.
He is a descendant of the Palestinian Badwan family from Ramallah.
He and Rachel Zeffira of Cat's Eyes recorded parts of their first album in a 15th-century church in Italy.
He is known for a minimalist, almost monastic, personal style offstage.
“I'm not interested in being a caricature; the music has to have its own life.”
