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Something with Numbers
 To too many, Something With Numbers is considered the latest "hot" property of Australian rock, joining the ranks of other bands such as Gyroscope, After The Fall, Kisschasy, Eskimo Joe and Silverchair. To who think that, you couldn't be more incorrect in regards to the "latest hot property" aspect of the previously mentioned statement. But it's okay - it's hard to get any recognition in the public eye unless you're Nickelback releasing the same song with different lyrics, or Jennifer Lopez doing yet another remix of her earlier material.
Something With Numbers are no strangers to releasing and performing great Australian music. Forming in 2001, the band released a very successful EP entitled 'Barnacles And Stripes' which quickly propelled them into 'emo-punk' fame. Earning the boys supporting roles with internationally renowned artists Papa Roach, Goldfinger and The Ataris, the EP also achieved a lot of respect from Benji Madden, guitarist and songwriter for Good Charlotte. Ultimately this resulted in supporting the US pop-punk sensations on their national tour in 2003.
From there, the NSW based quintet went on to record and release their debut album 'Etiquette' in 2004. The album projected the boys into the top of the indie charts, and became a constant favourite on Triple J's Net 50 with the single Against The Wind.
Besides all these accomplishments, the band was still somewhat unknown and their potential unrecognised. Come 2006, this was soon to change with the explosion of the song Apple Of The Eye (Lay Me Down) and the follow-up album 'Perfect Distraction'.
"This tour has easily been the best one we have done so far. We are about four weeks into it, and it's been going really well, and we are still really excited about it. Crowd wise especially it has been ridiculous, so many people are coming out which is really just so overwhelming. We also feel like we have upped the ante with our live performance, so we are really stoked at the moment and really blown away by it all," vocalist Jake Grigg explains.
Supporting the third and most recent single Goodbye Mickey Finn from the album during this tour, it seems that success has finally knocked on Something With Numbers' door. With two film clips already for the songs Apple Of The Eye (Lay Me Down) and Chase The Chaser from the latest album, the third film clip for the latest single entails quite a different approach to the previous efforts.
"The film clip was shot in Japan which was pretty cool. It basically just follows this story of me walking around Tokyo pretty lost, and it shows, I guess, like how beautiful and glamorous Tokyo is because that is how it is depicted. But we also wanted to show the ugly side of it, like the homeless people and other ignored parts. It's still a great place, but we wanted to show the other side of it you know?
"I actually had to do a hell of a lot of walking and running during filming. It was kind of cool because I didn't have to act as much, but I reckon I'm a good shot for the Olympics," Grigg laughs.
Something With Numbers have been a busy bunch since the album's release. With appearances at the Homebake, Pyramid, Big Day Out and Soundwave festivals, the band also embarked on a national run with Las Vegas electro-pop-punk favourites Panic! At The Disco. However, before all this began, this Central Coast five-piece had already accomplished something which other bands dream of but rarely dare to do - tour the USA.
"That was seriously the best ever! I mean you start a band and one of the things you want to do is tour overseas, and especially America, I mean that's the centre of the musical universe. What basically happened was we brought The Matches over here to tour with us (California based indie-punk group) and we made good friends with them. They asked us to come over and we jumped at the chance. We went from the bottom of Florida all the way to San Francisco. It was just a dream come true, playing every night then driving ten hours to play again. Being overseas we just partied and had the best time, easily the greatest time I have had ever. If I could I would just play shows every night, regardless of where I am, I can't wait to go back," Grigg enthuses.
With a current 30-date national tour and all this excitement surrounding the band, I wonder what the future may hold for them?
"We are hoping to record our next album in the USA. Like we have been writing newer material lately, well we are always writing, but yeah after this tour is done in July, we will probably move out into the bush for a couple of months and prepare some songs. I think we will aim to have a new record out by mid next year, but you can't really predict these things. I actually don't think I have ever been this excited before as I am now over the new songs, so I hope the next record does go up another step from 'Perfect Distraction'."
Grigg was also recently announced as co-host of 'The Rock Room' with James Matheison on Channel V, a job which almost any musical enthusiast would kill for.
"Yeah it's a sweet job, it's pretty easy actually. You know we talk for a few minutes, have a laugh and then that's it. It's the best job I have ever had and something I've always wanted to do."
Will Oakeshott
Something With Numbers play Fowler's Live on Fri 22 June and Loxton Hotel Sat 23 June. 'Perfect Distraction' is out now on Below Par Records through EMI/Virgin.
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