The Feast and the Famine

"The Feast and the Famine"
Single by Foo Fighters
from the album Sonic Highways
Released	October 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
Recorded	Inner Ear Studios, Arlington, VA
Genre	Punk rock hard rock
Length	3:49
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Dave Grohl Taylor Hawkins Nate Mendel Chris Shiflett Pat Smear
Producer(s)	Butch Vig
Foo Fighters singles chronology
"Something from Nothing" (2014) "The Feast and the Famine" (2014) "Congregation" (2014)
Music video
"The Feast and the Famine" on YouTube

"The Feast and the Famine" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters. It is the second song and second single from their eighth album Sonic Highways. The song was released on October 24, 2014.[1][2]

Background

"The Feast and the Famine" was inspired by the history of Washington, D.C., and was recorded near the city at Inner Ear Studios.

The song is inspired by the iconic Washington D.C hardcore punk scene, with the band having traveled to eight different U.S cities to record each song on the album Sonic Highways.[3] The song was recorded at Inner Ear Studio in Arlington County, Virginia, with gang vocals from Pete Stahl and Skeeter Thompson of Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia, punk band Scream.[4] The lyric acronym PMA stands for Positive Mental Attitude.

Live performances

The song was first played live at Washington, D.C.'s Black Cat club on October 24, 2014.[5]

Music video

During the "Washington D.C." episode of the TV series Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways, the band performs the song at Inner Ear Studios. Like "Something from Nothing", the music video also features lyrics appearing in the background. Indie Go-Go band RDGLDGRN made an appearance at the end of the video.

Personnel

Personnel adapted from Sonic Highways liner notes[6]

Foo Fighters

• Dave Grohl – lead and backing vocals, guitar, producer
• Chris Shiflett – guitar, producer
• Pat Smear – guitar, producer
• Nate Mendel – bass, producer
• Taylor Hawkins – drums, backing and gang vocals, producer

Additional Performers

• Rami Jaffee – organ
• Pete Stahl – gang vocals
• Skeeter Thompson – gang vocals

Production

• Butch Vig – producer
• James Brown – recording engineer, mixing engineer
• Gavin Lurssen – mastering
• Don Zientara – studio assistance

Charts

Chart (2014)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[7]	16
Scotland (OCC)[8]	93
UK Singles (OCC)[9]	164
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[10]	4
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11]	37

References

1. Foo Fighters unveil second 'Sonic Highways' single nme.com. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
2. Foo Fighters Share "The Feast and the Famine" From New Album Sonic Highways pitchfork.com. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
3. Foo Fighters Unveil Second ‘Sonic Highways’ Song ‘The Feast and the Famine’ loudwire.com. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
4. Liner notes of "Sonic Highways"
5. Foo Fighters perform new song 'The Feast and The Famine' at epic three-hour Washington gig nme.com. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
6. Sonic Highways (Vinyl liner notes). Foo Fighters. 2014.
7. "Foo Fighters – The Feast and the Famine" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
8. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
9. "CHART: CLUK Update 08.11.2014 (wk44)". Retrieved November 11, 2021.
10. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
11. "Foo Fighters Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2014.