23rd October 2010

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Interview with Math the Band

Check it out! I got in touch with Justine from Providence’s Math the Band and asked questions about … Math the Band! Here’s a video, then read some words.

I don’t know what phrases like “post-rock” or “nerd-core” mean. Make up your own genre! How would you describe your music to an alien?

8-bit pop punk, electro-pop with a sense of humor, beep boop music (for an alien) 

What got you guys into what you’re doing? What keeps you into it?

Kevin started this project when he was about 13 or 14. He was playing in a pop punk band that kicked him out. Rather than be a singer/songwriter with an acoustic guitar like every other teenager on the planet (during our high school years), he did this. It’s a way to make really full sounding music without other people. It’s such a vast and open way of making music. So many people are doing it, but it can still sound so unique and different. 

What would you say was the biggest creative influence on you guys?

Oh geesh, well, both of us grew up in northeastern Massachusetts. There have been so many good independent bands coming out of Boston and its suburbs for decades and we were really lucky to grow up seeing Piebald and Apollo Sunshine and all these other awesome bands at “hall shows”. This really got us into the all ages/DIY music scene. That means a lot to us. We are also inspired by DEVO, Andrew WK, Atom & his Package. We like intensity - sometimes to the point of oversaturation. 

What are some of your favorite records of all time?

Freedom of Choice / DEVO

I Get Wet / Andrew WK

We are the Only Friends That We Have / Piebald

Blue Album (Kevin) & Pinkerton (Justine) / Weezer

Almost Live from Eli’s Live Room / Why?

Doolittle / The Pixies

In Case We Die / Architecture in Helsinki

What about your favorite records of this year so far?

Shame, Shame / Dr. Dog

BROTHERSISTER / Lima

Demonstration 2010 / Good Luck

Cool Dream / iji

Who are the most under-rated musicians/groups?

The ones listed above. And Graves, Envelopes, Why?, James Rabbit, Fishboy, Uncle Monsterface….all of our friends. Amazing. 

If you could play with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? Why?

Beethoven.

Your performance last month at Shea Stadium BK was friggin’ ridiculous. Are there any shows that stand out in your memory as being particularly crazy?

Pretty much every show we’ve played at Death by Audio has been insane. Once we played on the second story of the crappiest old barn, outside you could see the building swaying. The Hanger in SC was awesome - FRIDGE DIVING! Campus Chaos at ODU was just as chaotic as it sounds. Every show we play in Santa Barbara CA….we love playing shows. 

When you’re not writing or playing music, what do you do?

We both have regular jobs - restaurant & working with students with special needs. We go to shows at AS220. We explore our amazing home city. I sew and make movies. Kevin like videogames and making stuff for the band. We make awesome ice cream. I’m a pretty fantastic pizza chef. 

What’s up next for yous guyses?

Kevin’s been really busy writing the new album. We’ve been arranging where we’re going to record and with whom we will be recording it. We can’t wait to finish it! Lots of great songs to be excited about. We’re also REALLY anxious to be on the road again. 

Is there anything you want out there that we haven’t talked about?

Best wishes. Michael J Fox.

Thanks!

Don’t forget to check out Math the Band when they come around yer area. Speaking of which, if you’re around my old alma mater, or I guess just Western Massachusetts in general, they’re playing a coupla shows in Amherst and Northampton, so hit ‘em up! Myspace for more details.

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