Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start
Working towards number one
'"Muscle, when will I see it?" asks Steve Poponi in his low, David Bazan-esque voice on one of the closing tracks to the band's debut full-length album, "And Nothing is #1."
From a physical standpoint, the tall, wiry members of South Jersey's Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right BA Start are a long way off from being living representations of the Greek Gods. Musically speaking though, the band can easily pull rank as heavyweight contenders.
They have worked hard through uphill battles and self-touring, self-promoting catastrophes to make a name for themselves. Now, UUDD can proudly say that no band speaks better of the punk and DIY ethics then the boys of Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right BA Start. After years of honing their sound and building a strong, firm allegiance across the eastern half of the country, the band is preparing to settle into bigger digs and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
"This is the first national tour we've done and we're all so excited for it," began Steve Poponi, the band's front man. With a ten-hour drive ahead of him and a seeming infinitude of weary road miles behind him, he is energetic and overwrought. "Not only do we get to play music for a living, but it's like we're on a cross-country vacation."
Touring is paying off generously for UUDD. For the most part, the shows have been packed, the band has been warmly received, and the chemistry of the group is congealing well with the addition of second guitarist John Mascino (Kids Inc., Ghostman on Third, The New Anxiety). Also, the members of UUDD have been given some more creative legroom since signing with OHEV Records, a label responsible for catapulting the likes of Hot Hot Heat, Kind of Like Spitting, and Rocking Horse Winner. The label is enthusiastic about working with the band and plans on spreading out the band's already broad sound.
"We've been told that we're a popular musician's band for the mathy time signatures, but there's definitely an accessible layer over that part that adds catchy little hooks that the crowd can get into," said Poponi. "It's really nice because there's different levels that people seem to appreciate and if people appreciate it for one particular reason, they still notice that those other layers exist."
Picture styles of music as a stereo equalizer. Each EQ band setting can add or subtract various dimensions to fill or empty out the sound. Consider these EQs as different musical genres. In this case, the UUDD equalizer has a good deal of settings, ranging from punk to emo to metal to pop to math rock, the band's ace in the hole. Set to zero, the sounds come out flat. UUDD worked diligently, though, to fine-tune each style into a proper and distinct blend for full stereophonic pleasure.
They have achieved the same effect of a quality hi-fi equalizer. The production is a delicate balance that allows maximum impact from each instrument. The effort pays off in a customized sonance that eludes categorization. The tones are familiar but, like a phrase lost on the tip of a tongue, it is difficult to find the correct phrase or word choice to accurately describe them. The music is a remarkable blend of saccharine lyrics layered sweetly over subtle, complex guitar riffs. It is a thrashing combo of throaty screams competing fiercely with simple chord-driven structures. The music is slow, but the second your heart rate lowers to meet the tempo, you are hit with a wall of sonar static. The band reels you into soft, comfortable states only to pull the chair out from under you when you least expect it. Since UUDD is behind the music, they claim that it is difficult for them to define their sound and of course, there are the distractions that come from band known to have a good time.
"Well, it's not difficult to answer your questions," began drummer Scott Rumble. "It's just that it's hard to concentrate on anything with John [Mascino] walking around in his tighty-darkies."
Perhaps the band's new lineup is coming together a bit too quickly. Then again, UUDD has been known to joke around about rather quirky habits while touring. On a previous tour with the band's previous guitarist, Phil Apostol, they constantly joked around about band spooning nights in the back of the touring van. Mascino appears to be adjusting quickly to the capriciousness.
"I am about to undertake my first ever night of spooning with a member of the band. The two newest members of the band, [bassist] Dave Damm and I will be spooning. So, I'll let you know at the show if I got lucky."
What else could serve as better incentive to come see a band often described as "one of the best bands you've never heard of?"