MUTE MATH @ Le National

By Jessica Hemmerich - On The Rocks - 09/05/2007

For the second time this year, Montrealers had the amazing opportunity of seeing Mute Math in concert. On Thursday September 5^th, the band performed at Le National for their Fall Tour.

For those who don’t know who Mute Math is, I would strongly recommend checking them out. Hailing from New Orleans, the band combines rock, electro, techo, jazz and new age to create a sound that is quickly increasing their fame. Since they began recording as a band in 2004, they have performed on David Letterman’s The Late Show, have managed to release their first music video, "Typical" (which is now on rotation on MTV), and have, overall, made a name for themselves based on their energy, originality and creativity.

Traditionally, bands go on tour after having released a new album or after having recorded some new tracks. When I first heard about Mute Math’s upcoming show in our great city, I automatically assumed that in my summertime stupor, I had somehow managed to overlook a new Mute Math release. But no, this was not the case at all. Mute Math managed to entertain their fans with the same material from their last show, and, despite having seen them mere months ago, I was blown away by their performance.

Some bands make great studio albums but have a severe lack of stage presence. Others are great performers, but no matter how well they entertain, their music remains mediocre. Mute Math has the ability of touching you through your headphones and when you see them live, you can’t take your eyes off of them.  It’s not only the lead singer, Paul Meany, or guitarist, Greg Hill, that have a dominating role on stage. Drummer Darren King and bassist Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas work in conjunction with Paul and Greg to bring you an energetic, captivating and original performance.

Mute Math does not only use typical band instruments. They have their guitar, their drums and their bass, but their entire repertoire of instruments is comparable to an orchestra. Well, not quite. Paul played his piano, his keytar (a keyboard-guitar) and his homemade Atari, which reproduces sounds from the early video game console. He even dabbled with the guitar, banged on a drum and played his metal stool. Roy not only played traditional bass, but also the upright bass and bass drum. Greg took over for Paul on the piano and got a shot at one of the drums. Darren stuck to his drums but did not hesitate to use a bit of cowbell.

Mute Math performed all the songs their fans were aching to hear. “Chaos,” “Typical” and “Noticed” met everyone's expectations. However, the boys surpassed all possible anticipation. At one point during the show, it was as though fans were experiencing the process of creation when Paul, Darren and Roy mercilessly beat on whatever drum-like instrument or non-instrument they could find while Greg was playing the piano. It was as though a chaotic freestyle was being born. The band also indulged their Montreal fans with a special treat when they played “Peculiar People” off of their Reset EP. Sources say that Paul once told a fan who was dying to hear the song that it would probably never be performed again. However, addressing his fans that night, Paul said that for some reason, “Peculiar People” meant something special in Montreal, and proceeded by performing it with the crowd singing along. The band left the stage at the end of their concert only to be brought out again by hundreds of fans chanting “Reset! Reset!” -- and it was indeed with “Reset” that Mute Math ended the night, leaving their fans satisfied and then some. 

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