Grooveshark Artists

Last Halloween, we had the opportunity to meet & mingle with several artists during the Fest 9 and our first annual “Grooveshark Sessions”. Around 17 artists met up with us at Medusa Studios to record one live, acoustic track and an interview to be exclusively released via Grooveshark. After months of unwinding, editing, mixing, mastering, etc. - the tracks and interviews are here!

Next is Noise by Numbers, a sweet group of dudes from Chicago, IL. They managed to take some time out of their busy Fest schedules to break down their usual loud, punk rock aesthetic into a pretty beautiful acoustic track - “Paris in September.” Believe it or not - this track was a bit difficult for the band to create (considering they rarely play acoustic). Take note of their dedication, fans; and enjoy the fruits of their labor:

We’re here at the Grooveshark Fest Sessions at Medusa Studios with Noise By Numbers. You guys just recorded a track off your album, “Yeah Whatever.” What label is putting that out?

Asian Man Records.

Awesome! The track you just did - that was an acoustic version of “Paris in September”. You guys normally do full band/electric - what was it like to break it down?

This was different! We’re not used to playing acoustically… We usually play as a full band. It was fun. We actually have an acoustic track on an album we just recorded called “Over Love It” - it turned out pretty cool.

So you guys are all based out of Chicago?

We’re all born in a different state – Detroit, Philadelphia, Chicago, Vegas, and Pittsburg (unfortunately).

You guys have a great scene out there [Chicago] – there’s some amazing music coming out of there (e.g., Lawrence Arms, Honor System). I’d love to hear from you guys – since you’re kind of in the trenches – what’s coming up on the scene?

Lately it’s kind of been dead, honestly. I mean, there’s shows every night of the week. And I don’t know how many shows we’ve played or gone to - but they’ve all been kind of dead. Not a lot of people are going to shows. 

So the message is – all you listeners in Chicago – get off the couches and go to shows!

Unless there’s some scene I’m not aware of in the suburbs, or loft parties that I wasn’t invited to… Most shows I go to are kind of dead. It depends on the band, of course. If the Lawrence Arms played a show it would for sure sell out. But for the most part – a lot of shows are under-attended. It’s kind of turning into a jaded town.

Has the road been treating you any better than Chicago?

All the shows are fun! We played in Covington, which was really fun. We played with Smoke or Fire the other night, which was a good time – there was a dance party going on. Couple trannies around.

Clermont is pretty cool – it’s like a strip club but with midgets and fat chicks (in Atlanta). It’s fun. You know the part in the Shining where the old woman gets out of the tub? It’s like that.

So - there’s a big web of bands stemming off of you guys - seven degrees of Kevin Bacon kind of thing. Part of the reason I wanted to do these interviews was to help new listeners get engrossed in the scene. Can you introduce people to what’s going on?

Well, we all play in a couple different bands. I play guitar in the Bomb, I played guitar in Explode and Make-up. Pete from the Methadones and the Bomb also plays in Explode and Make-up. We played this tour last year called the “No Dudes Left Behind” - it was the Bomb, Noise by Numbers, and the Methadones. It was pretty much seven guys between three bands, so we’re just like…let’s pile in the van and go for it!

 I play in Screeching Weasel and Riverdales. We’re playing a little bit again, and doing this!

 Rick, our bass player, plays in Textbook. Jimmy has played in lots and lots of bands 

 J: I play in a band called Light FM in California.

So, I heard you guys talking about “Lads Choir” earlier, can you tell me a bit about that?

Well, we have a Lads Choir with another band. Their band is from England, and they came down with us for the Fest. It was lovely to have them join us. So we have a Lads Choir - it’s just a chorus line of people from Chicago and people from Leeds.

It’s kind of like the “We Are the World” of punk.

That sounds amazing!

It will probably be happening tonight.. the Lads Choir may be making its second debut at the Bomb show tonight.

Very nice. I’m glad that that was inspired here. Any last words to the fans about the experience?

Recording was cool! It was a lot different than usual.. I mean, being a full band then trying to play songs acoustic.. the dynamics were different. It was fun!

 J: Dave is really nice. The studio is really cool too! Oh - and, we have a new record coming out that we’re super super excited about!

What’s the name of the new record?

It’s called “Over Love It.” We’re not sure when it’s going to be coming out because we just finished it. The first recrd is “Yeah Whatever” and that’s on Asian Man so… yeah, I’m happy with the new record. I recorded it, our friend John Lew who’s done Fucked Up and Tokoy Police Club mixed it. I think it came out really, really well. We’re excited to get it out!

This was fun – thanks guys!