Whether you are having a countdown or humming to Fiest's "1234", the correlation of those numbers are also the name of Pittsburg's sensational indie rock band, 1, 2, 3. We've featured a couple of tracks from 1, 2, 3's debut album, New Heaven, in an Indie Sabbath post but here is a detailed introduction along with a short interview.
1, 2, 3 does not represent the number of members in this band nor does it represent the simplicity of their music. Rather, 1, 2, 3 is mostly Nic Snyder (frontman) and Josh Sickels (drummer) with a full band support from Mike Yamamoto and Chad Montecue. Nic delivers raunchy vocals as Josh lividly drums to create a potent vibe that can either make you strip naked or swarm in your winter layers. Their music is overpowering with a distinct hook in every piece.
Signed with Frenchkiss Records, 1, 2, 3 debuted New Heaven on June 21st. From that album, "Confetti" is the perfect example of 1, 2, 3 stripping you down with their rhythmic rock taunts. Ten seconds into the track and your body will be completely sold (they took mine within two seconds). For a better understanding of how this band came about and their influences, Nic Snyder spoke to Earmilk, so skim through it below.
Earmilk: Can you give us a little background of 1, 2, 3?
Nic Snyder: Josh and I started kicking around the idea of this band in about November of 2009. We had been playing music for about 8 or 9 years at that point. We met in a bank parking lot whilst skateboarding in junior high. It was right behind the house I grew up in. There was this little 5 inch curb we used to wax up and attempt to grind on for hours. We both realized we liked punk music (The Ramones, The Buzzcocks, The Exploited) and years later started playing together as our tastes grew richer. Anyway, for 1, 2, 3, we just wanted a band that was more creative than our previous endeavors. Something that was completely about the songs and not much else. Hence the vacant meaning of the name–which is intentional.
E: What is your favorite thing about being in this band?
NS: The opportunity to recreate ourselves with each song. I wanted a band with no boundaries with the exception of good taste, and we may not have proven that yet but I think as time goes by that will make more sense to people.
NS: America's Greatest Hits is always a classic road album. If we're bummed about something or tensions are in the red it always evens us out. Howlin' Wolf is always good down south, as is Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. I like the music to fit the landscape. If I was driving around Manchester I'd probably just listen to The Stone Roses.
E: Do you have a name of the new album? This album is about the end of the world, yes?
NS: Big Weather. It's still in the incubation phase. I have about 10 songs written already, though I'm aiming for a double album. The lyrical anchor revolves around big natural disasters and apocalyptic situations interrupting regular people's lives. It's not as heavy as it sounds, however. Its about people trying to do stuff like meet girls and all the sudden fire and brimstone strikes. I wanted to work at better storytelling lyrically and I think the end of the world interrupting your morning piss is a really interesting beginning to a story.
E: How did that idea come about?
NS: Every generation thinks they're gonna be there when it ends. I think it's almost comforting to feel that way. Everyone goes at once. Dying alone is far more horrific. So it's a well known topic throughout the ages, but it makes for a big dark canvas to paint a picture on. It's like a classic melody that can be played a million different ways.
Anyway, I usually write on my porch, and I had some songs that were heading in that direction anyway and I came up with this one song that is basically about sitting on your porch with your loved one and watching the world burn. Kind of sharing one last earthly moment. I've been stuck in that mindset ever since.
NS: We just did a Misfits cover EP for Halloween. That was a good time making. We did it super live and raw. We'll probably put out a stand alone single in early 2012, another 7", do some touring, and hopefully start recording for album two in the spring. Right now I'm working on a Christmas song called "Some Boots and a Place in Your Heart". It's about not wanting anything for for Christmas but some new boots and a place in your heart. Though, I never say Christmas, so it's kind of just a normal song.
E: We've talked about Walking Dead before. What would you do in a situation with zombies everywhere?
NS: Find some people who weren't dead/assholes and a big house on a hill, and just start a little community with crops and lookout towers and hope that zombies are the only problem.
Music Video for "Work"
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMyFTF_LVn0[/youtube]
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