REVIEWS

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