Biography
There are at least three groups named Math:
1. Math was an experimental rock group from Chicago circa 1989-94. The core members included Jodie Mecanic (Duotron and Monotrona), Robert Rolston (Quintron), and Michael Colligan (The Flying Luttenbachers).
Their first recording was "The Delicate Ape", recorded at IDful Music Chicago and released by Milk of Burgundy, in 1991.
The second album, “Basic Math” or “Bask”, released on Bulb Records in 1993, a romp through klezmer circus territory utilizing organ, clarinet and a battery of percussion. They sang songs about misfits and malcontents such as “Bill The Conductor” and “Elrod’s Baby Doll Mambo”. "Bask" was recorded in an old grain mill in Indiana using recording techniques inspired by Emory Cook in order to get a realistic document of their locally legendary live shows.
"Rubber Musique" (1994) expanded on their previous forays into circusy klezmer territory. This third album was recorded at The Milk Of Burgundy, the basement space on North Avenue that Rolston and Mecanic ran.
2. MATH is a funky improvisational rock group. MATH was born in 1996 when Billy Riker, Joey Eppard and Ed Cercone got together to jam in Gram's Basement. Early on they used the name "The Ed Hot Billy Eppards" but eventually settled on MATH. The first rehearsal was recorded live to cassette via boombox and was all improvisation with no preconceived ideas whatsoever.
Over the next few rehearsals some songs were worked out whenever they found a moment to stop jamming. Their first show was at Graduation Party in uptown Kingston on the lawn in the backyard, a beautiful summer day. The local ice cream man, "Mr. Ding-a-ling," even stopped by. They performed all of the structured songs with the exception of one improv piece added in.
Throughout 1996-97 MATH performed at a various outdoor summer parties and even a meditational gathering. For these shows it was half improv, half songs and eventually becoming almost exclusively improv. The band took a break for the next few years occasionally getting together and jamming.
In early 2000 shortly after Riker joined 3, MATH got together for a magical reunion in the studio and recorded material that was done live and all improv, this time incorporating Eppard's vocal skills and additional backing vocals from the band. This was followed up one month later in May 2000 with an all improv live show in Woodstock which was also recorded.
Now in June 2007 MATH is reforming with new members Dave Bodie (of Kayo Dot and Counterfeit Disaster) on drums, Michael Schirmer on Keyboards and Max Oleson (of PEACEBOMB) on Vocals. All are masters of improvisation. They just recorded several hours of raw improvisational new material at Darkworld Studio in Kingston, NY for what will become the new album, InsertYourNameHere.
3. Kevin Steinhauser (MATH) writes around three or four songs every week. If he doesn't, he goes a little bit crazy, but that usually only happens with his other project: Math The Band. He has already self-released a variety of records featuring over 20 different songs each, though for Poni Republic, he officially selected 7 songs full of joy and non-sense topics over folkloric mandolins being mocked by upbeat basslines, dorky flutes, catchy Casio melodies and 4/4 beats. His releases include a 2005 album called "Imaginary Everything", a 2006 release called "All Good Things All in Good Time" and an EP released by Poni Republic called "Nature".
www.myspace.com/acousticmath
www.myspace.com/maththeband
to download the nature ep for free check out ponirepublic.com
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