Fake Train is the debut studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on July 7, 1993, by Kill Rock Stars. That album was shelved and was not released until 1995, after the group already released 3 full-lengths via Kill Rock Stars. As suggested by Sandeno, Sara Lund was chosen as his replacement. Her drumming style would shape the band from their initial rugged hardcore punk sound to the more post-hardcore style that is presented on this album. The album was under the working title of "Rat Conspiracy," which would go on to become the name of the box-set that Fake Train would appear on in 2014.
Recording
Fake Train was recorded and mixed during 2 weekends. In retrospect, Sara Lund expressed her distaste for her performance on the album, for she believed she performed very poorly on it. The entire first side of the record was overdubbed with amplifier feedback. The album was released as the band's full-length debut on Kill Rock Stars on CD, LP, and cassette formats. They would continue to release most of their recordings through Kill Rock Stars until their break-up in 2001. Fake Train was also the first music-only recording released by Kill Rock Stars; releases made before Fake Train on the label were spoken word pieces.
Packaging
The cover art is a vandalized copy of Tom Jones's 1970 album Tom, which frontman Justin Trosper had hanging in his home.