The Faith was an early American hardcore punk band, from Washington D.C., with strong connections to the scene centered on the Dischord label.

Along with Minor Threat, the Faith were key players in the early development of hardcore, with a (later) melodic approach that would influence not just associated acts like Rites of Spring, Embrace and Fugazi, but also a subsequent generation of bands such as Nirvana, whose Kurt Cobain was a vocal fan.

[7] Edward Janney, formerly of the Untouchables and Ian MacKaye's short-lived Skewbald/Grand Union, joined the Faith at the end of 1982 to play second guitar and made his recorded debut.

[6] The Faith was short lived; following the seminal split LP with Void, they played their last show in August 1983 and their EP was issued four months later.

"[9] After the Faith broke up, guitarist Eddie Janney formed Rites of Spring with Guy Picciotto; while Hampton, Bald, and Hanson went on to join Embrace with Ian MacKaye on vocals.

Instead of just the normal-typical hardcore brash screaming and pushing everything all in one verse, Alec had a way of making these minute blast songs almost melodic without compromising or losing any intensity.

[8] By the time they recorded the Subject to Change EP – which was first released in late 1983, shortly after they disbanded – the Faith had adopted a more melodic and emotional approach, perhaps owing to the addition of a second guitar player.

And instead of employing hardcore's usual strangled bark, Alec MacKaye makes sure his words are clear and easy to discern: the Faith's musicality often trumps their rage.

Known for their inward-looking lyrics—a pioneering thing in a scene more given to social and political themes—and the gruff allure of Alec MacKaye's vocals, the Faith was highly esteemed by local punk fans.

[12] The Faith shows why hardcore has lasting power, how even music recognised mainly for its brevity and brutality can convey something emotional and immediate, even several years on.