REVIEWS

From Star Beat Music

Six to Eight Mathematics bring rock 'n roll punk on High Heels, Whiskey, and Mayhem

Six to Eight Mathematics led by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Alana Quartuccio sings of hard love, moving on, and having a good time on High Heels, Whiskey, and Mayhem. With in your face, ballsy tunes, and slurred yet determined vocals, it’s great to hear a band with a true "I don’t give a shit attitude." The band is rounded out by guitarist and backing vocalist Ali McDowell, bassist MaryBeth Kochmar, and drummer Mike Random.
Fiery punk rock is present on the opening track “I Wanna Know.” It's driving with the occasional scream, similar on "Punch" which calls you to "Go." "Love Song?” also finds drummer Mike Random taking lead vocals. “(Liar), human indignation. (Traitor), a useless imitation," ring through loud and clear. He continues with "You’re just another worthless waste of life." Now how's that for brutal honesty! It’s a rowdy, bitter one, that’ll get you worked up. Definitely a good 'ol two-stepping song.
The next song is “Participate” with its riffage explosion. I could imagine being at a Six to Eight Mathematics show with a drink in one hand and a raised fist in another, two-stepping, losing most of my drink, but having fun. What’s nice about this release is that it hardly looses momentum; it’s driving from top to bottom. Recommended for fans of L7, The Distillers, or Pennywise. - Star Beat
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From Leicester Bangs:

Six To Eight Mathematics - High Heels, Whiskey & Mayhem (Independent)

A North Jersey quartet, fronted by Alana Quartuccio on lead vocals and guitar, with Ali McDowell on lead guitar and backing vocals, MaryBeth Kochmar on bass and Mike Random drums. Together they crank out post-77 punk, with no shortage of hooks, but make no mistake, this isn’t the watered-down pop-punk so inexplicably popular with the kids of recent years. Quartuccio’s scintillating yelp, and the band’s beefy sound keep the resulting blast unapologetically rock. Two guitarists definitely help, but full credit to a rhythm section who keep things unfussy and rock solid. The album’s eight tracks don’t overstay their welcome and provide a smattering of heady peaks. The Husker Du harmonies on “You Won’t Love Me” - the best track here - and the choppy, ska-like, but not ska guitars, and call and response chorus of “Participate”. Thoughout, McDowell plays dynamic and crisp solos which are never overlong and always entertaining. Overall, a winning record by a band you’d happily spend a Saturday night with. Find their MySpace here: www.myspace.com/sixtoeightmathematics - Rob F.
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From Blowupradio.com:

Six to Eight Mathematics - High Heels, Whiskey & Mayhem

20 minutes and 16 seconds of hard driving punk rock and roll, that is “high heels, whiskey & mayhem”, the latest album from Six To Eight Mathematics.

This album feels like a perfect storm, and not just because of it’s unrelenting rockness, but more so because I think the band jells on here in a way they had not on previous albums. This may be because this line-up has been together longer, but it may also be from working with George Collazo and Matt Pelissier (as co-engineers, producers, and mixers) who were not involved with their previous albums.

Now I’m sure some of you are thinking that 20 minutes is a short album, but because this album rocks so hard, I was thankful for the breather I got when the album ended…

...then I hit play again and took the CD for another spin.
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From Jersey Beat:

Six to Eight Mathematics - High Heels, Whiskey & Mayhem (sixtoeightmathematics.com)

A Barrage From The Garage of Punk Rock ‘N’ Roll!

Lovingly known to their fans as S.T.E.M.S. (Hey, try saying, “Six To Eight Mathematics” three times fast - now you know why they like to call them S.T.E.M.S! Oh crap, you can say it! Well, hopefully the band will do an interview soon, and we’ll get to the bottom of this “Six To Eight Mathematics” thing, along with the story of their new album.)

Before Six To Eight Mathematics blasts off into punkoramaland, and just to see if you’re paying attention, they open the album with a sort of who-done-it sound effects. First you’ll hear of a pair of high heels walking across a wooden floor, then a bottle being smashed (presumably it‘s a whiskey bottle), and a woman’s high-pitched scream - “High Heels, Whiskey (I hope the bottle was empty before they broke it)& Mayhem” - get it?! Also, Miss Heather did the cartoonish cover art, depicting the title of the album, along with an old-school amp, that has a nice retro feel to it.

So, after two paragraphs of silly stuff (hey, that’s just the way I roll), you’re probably wonderin’ how the music is? Well, let me put his way. If Lenny Lounge (promoter, DJ, and all-around-cool-guy) was still putting on his monstrously, cool-as-fuck Barrage From The Garage Shows, S.T.E.M.S. would be the unequivocal house band, hands down!!

All the songs on the album are full of color. Vividly collaborative, songs like “Love Song?” or “You Won’t Love Me” ditch the erotic pleading you’d find from bands that write for the sake of popularity in favor of romantic directness without the frills. In other words, honest love songs without the self-interest, and all the punk rage you can handle.

There are no wasted moments on this 8-song disc, just to the point stories like “I Wanna Know, or “Participate,” that are fueled by punk’s basic rage ‘n’ roll! This is prime Six To Eight Mathematics!

I got turned on to S.T.E.M.S. at one of Lazlo’s Blowupradio.com shows at Buddies Tavern in Sayreville a few months ago. They bashed out a thirty minute set that was head-turning! Hey, I even put down my thin-crust pizza to check out the band! Their live show was a white-hot salvo with human tornado energy. They were also road-testing some of their new tunes along with tried and true originals, and a cover or two for good measure.

With band members Ali McDowell on lead guitar/ vocals, Alana Quartuccio on lead vocals/guitar, Mike Random on drums/vocals, and Marybeth Kochmar on bass/screams, they play with classic rock (the good stuff), aspirations accented by razor-sharp, guitars-in-overdrive mode. The rhythm section adds the decisive time signatures that propels the songs cadence with deadly accuracy.

Any way you add it up, Six To Eight Mathematics’ new album High Heels, Whiskey & Mayhem is a brick wall of solid punk rock ’n’ roll howl from start to finish!! Listening to them live, and then their studio album, this is a band that doesn‘t play out of just self-interest, they play out of the purest of need, like it‘s in their DNA. - Phil Rainone

From Jersey Beat:

Now here’s a cool stocking stuffer: Six to Eight Mathematics’ (their new CD will be out soon) cover of (not so) “Silent Night.” It’s two minutes and twenty-eight seconds of unrestrained punk rock - real guttural! Like the original, they take the otherwise sleepy, traditional holiday classic to church, but it’s the Church of Punk Rock! Amen, sisters & brothers! - Phil Rainone

From Jersey Beat:

Six to Eight Mathematics - Start Again (sixtoeightmathematics.com)

Six to Eight Mathematics (try saying that three times fast), take a youthful adoration for the early 70's glam-rock era, all-things-punk, and gave it their own sound that is at times, stripped down to real-deal punk simplicity, and the energy of raw rock 'n' roll, creating a truly wonderful album of punk, rock, and pop, but with a difference. Their body of work (this is their second album and their third is due out soon hopefully), reveals rapid creative growth, especially in their stage presence. I caught STEM at Buddies Tavern last week at one of Lazlo's Blowup Radio Shows (check Blowupradio.com for future shows). Like Mike Grau who takes turns with Lazlo putting on shows at Buddies, sometimes you don't know the bands, but I assure you, you'll come away from any of their shows shaking your head, muttering to yourself like I did saying, "How could I have not heard of such an amazing band before?!"

It's an unavoidable comparison but Six to Eight Mathematics' intensity and musical mojo rivals that of bands like Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Pretenders, and Shonen Knife- and I'd go as so far to say that, my first impression of hearing Six to Eight Mathematics live is, that they have the ability to hold a crowd in the palm of their hands, much like the Ramones used to. STEM write simple, catchy melodies with lyrics about teenage angst like "Am I Crazy," "Frustrated" and, on "Mad Radio," which lays blame for the crap on most radio stations spit out, they demand good music and also for themselves to be heard, "I know the truth and how had it can be/ Can't you see how mad the stereo can be?/ I wanna hear myself on the radio!" Six to Eight Mathematics sound instrumentally distinct while offering uniquely casting lyrics, telling stories and describing characters with impressive skill. This is exactly the type of band that were made to be on vinyl. Lots of singles abound, and there's pure punk in the grooves! - Phil Rainone

Clash Night Belonged to the Ladies

by Tony Gicas - Clifton Journal

CLIFTON — After taking a few steps inside the confines of The Clash Bar, it becomes readily apparent that it is no ordinary music venue. The collection of portraits hanging high from its retro-like interior range from punk rock visionary, Iggy Pop, to rhythm and blues soul star, Otis Redding. This fondness for the eclectic is not restricted to the interior décor, however, as the billing for the June 27 concert included such diverse acts as rocker veterans The Black Angels, ‘80s influenced pop-punkers Charm School and local fixture SixToEight Mathematics. The Black Angels gave an inspired performance with several simple, effective, straight rock numbers. Their cover of The Doors' "L.A. Woman" was an especially impressive, original effort. However, this particular night belonged to the women as The Black Angels set was bookended by the female vocalists of Charm School and SixToEight Mathematics. Charm School is another high-energy live act whose style is noticeably rooted in the days of Blondie and the Ramones. Their lyrics are clever and often times extremely sarcastic, a departure from the majority of the today’s punk rock bands preaching doom and gloom poetics. Charm School is known for its live performances as well as its fashion savvy and they did not disappoint in either regard Friday night. SixToEight Mathematics led off the show with their patented energy and excitement, slicing through a previously serene hum of chattering pub patrons with blaring, big guitars and sharp percussion. Their sound is reminiscent of early Green Day with injections of bluesy elements and old-style hardcore guitar riffs. The group resembles the emotion which dominates the New York City punk scene, but there are natural distinctions and harmonies infused within their music exemplified by Quartuccio’s heartfelt refrains which are followed up by aggressive growling vocals. With members from Clifton and Passaic, the female-fronted SixToEight Mathematics formed its current lineup in 2004 around the leadership of Alana Quartuccio and Mike Ricra. Quartuccio, a guitarist and lead vocalist writes the majority of the songs along with drummer, Ricra. The arrangement had been bolstered by a second guitarist and former member of The Atom Beat, Ali McDowell, as well as new bassist and ex-Dead Go West member, MaryBeth Kochmar. The band is currently working on its fourth studio effort following three earlier releases, which are titled "Start Again," "Drive" and "Random Access Memory." While SixToEight offers some of the in-your-face, grit which epitomizes punk rock music, their songs simultaneously incorporate catchy choruses that induce sing-alongs and, like Charm School, generates a more "human" on-stage persona than several of the more distant, brooding acts currently working within the genre.
Before last week’s show, the members of the band SixToEight Mathematics sat down with Clifton Journal reporter Tony Gicas and discussed various topics including the genesis of the band, the upstart of the online music medium and the closing of legendary New York City club, CBGB's.

Question — Punk rock is a very distinct and powerful genre of music. Of any genre, who were the first artists you listened to who forced you to look at music in a different light or inspired you to pick up an instrument?
Ali McDowell: My favorite band is The Living End. They’re an Australian band who’s punk rock combined with rockabilly. I listen to a lot of loud music but I also listen to music from the 50s. And Green Day is kind of an influence for all of us. Stiff Little Fingers is another one, too, because without them there would never have been Green Day. A lot of people aren’t familiar with that.
MaryBeth Kochmar: Discount and Rancid.
Alana Quartuccio: I can’t deny it but Babes in Toyland. Green Day will find their way into every punk band’s influences, though I think we’re all very diverse. I’m also a huge Madonna fan, and I don’t hid it, though it was hard getting over that whole Justin Timberlake thing.
Mike Ricra: I remember the old CBGB’s hardcore matinees where we’d go there and hang out. That was a time when people just went there and they didn’t really know who was playing but they went there to have a good time. But I’d also go during the week and catch bands like Television back in the day.
Question — Speaking of CBGB’s, how do you feel about the recent closing the landmark venue?
Ricra: CBGB’s lost its luster a few years ago. It’s always going to be what it is and it will always have an impact on the local scene.
Kochmar: I don’t miss their bathrooms. A door would’ve been nice.
Question —There is a very specific emotion found in punk bands spawned from the surrounding New York City scene. What is it that separates SixToEight Mathematics from the rest of your contemporaries?
McDowell: Like we were saying before, I think we have so many different influences that combine together and really create a unique sound. But I think all of us appreciate a good hook and I can speak for everybody that Mike and Alana write great songs that have great hooks. I think that’s really where it all comes together. We can be loud and we can be angry or girly or manly but we still have a good hook that you can sing and dance to and have fun with.
Quartuccio: We don’t write songs to try and sound a certain way. I think [our sound] comes out because we all put something different in. Men and women can play music together with it not really being about [gender].
Question — It’s always interesting to discover something previously unknown about musicians. For example Lemmy from the influential metal band Motorhead collects a particular brand of chocolate mini-eggs. What would your fans be surprised to find out about each of you?
Quartuccio: I’m a former journalist who worked as a North Jersey Media Group newspaper editor for eight years and currently work as a public relations manager now. I also do a mean impression of Cartman [from the television show "South Park"].
Kochmar: I’m extremely competitive at badminton.
McDowell: I enjoy bowling and I bowled in college. I’m not athletic but I can bowl. That’s the extent of my athleticism because every other hobby I have comes back to music.
Question — With the explosion of Internet media and MP3s the music industry’s landscape has been fundamentally changed forever. How do you think this effects the independent musician’s ability to survive during a time of decreased album sales and increased competition?
McDowell: I think that the album as an art form is dying and if not it’s definitely shrinking as a medium. Especially in mainstream music the record companies are really concerned with making a quick buck and pushing out a quick single.
Ricra: Major labels have become more of a product than it is a musical expression. They use the singers right now to sell products. You’ll hear it in a commercial two weeks from now after the single comes out. I think it’s more of an opportunity for independent bands to use the Internet and bypass any major label connections. Then they can sell the music on their own and potentially reach a worldwide audience who wants to listen to [their] music.
Kochmar: I listen to talk radio on my way to work if I’m not listening to my I-Pod. As crappy as the radio is, the Internet really made you aware of bands that you wouldn’t otherwise know existed. It means that our CD is available on the Internet to a person in Germany and that wouldn’t have happened even five years ago.
Quartuccio: It let’s you reach a wider audience.
Question — What are the future plans for SixToEight Mathematics?
Quartuccio: We’re working on our fourth album as SixtoEight Mathematics, and the second with this lineup. It’s going to be called "High Heels, Whisky and Mayhem."
Kochmar: This is where you can see the female influence [laughs].

Gicas@northjersey.com