By way of introduction, Minus Numbers is a new Bay Area band featuring members of Pushed Aside, Into Another, Ignite, Outspoken, and of course, Drift Again.
I’ve been talking with vocalist Mikey [Michael Garceau] for 5 years about this project and am stoked that the rest of the world gets to hear it. I gotta be honest, Minus Numbers' brand-new self-titled debut album scratches a very specific itch. It's a bridge from the Drift Again days to modern, driving post-punk anthems.
I finally got it together and sent Mikey and guitarist Randy Johnson questions. Minus Numbers is rounded out by bassist Reid Black and drummer Dennis Remsing.
We’ve talked about this project for a very long time. What the hell took so long?
Where to start? We started playing music together just before the pandemic, so there was an unavoidable hiatus that played a role. Plus, when we started up, we weren’t really that defined in what we wanted to do - just playing around, really. And then of course, we’re all working our jobs, walking our dogs, giving time to our people, and, for Dennis, raising kids.
We also really indulged in the process. We love getting in the band room, chatting it up, and enjoying making the songs. The end point is awesome, but we’re definitely into the process. At a certain point, we realized we were working on an album and while that gave us a plan, we knew we wanted to get things right so we took the time to do that.
What made you guys decide now is the right time to do this?
It’s funny, we probably couldn’t say when we decided to do this - it sort of flowed organically. The time was just right looking back. Apparently, Drift Again was Northern California at its soul because 3/4 of us are living in the San Francisco Bay Area. We started jamming Drift Again songs for fun, half thinking about maybe doing a reunion.
Reid was also up here so he joined in on bass and playing the old songs was a hoot for a bit. When that bit wore off, we started working on songs. One day at a practice, we looked at each other and said, “this isn’t Drift Again.” That’s when the songs really started to flow and we were off and running.
Is it a coincidence that every song in the record is related to numbers?
There are no coincidences and numbers are here to prove that theorem [laughs]. Mikey is the architect of the numbers concept. We want to leave it open so people can make their own meaning, but numbers underwrite everything, right? Memories and dates, places and addresses, countdowns to something or nothing - it’s all numbers so why not hold on to that for some time and see where you find or lose yourself?
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Was the song Minus Numbers originally called "Counting Backwards"?
No, the song has always been called "Minus Numbers." The title came before the lyrics and that was 2019, I think.
I know you write a lot. Where are you drawing your inspiration from 30 years after Drift Again?
For the band as a whole, we are ultimately inspired by each other. When Reid writes parts, he sometimes describes them in cinematic terms to set the table - what’s the mood and vibe, what’s the story, what are we evoking? Randy comes in with songs that in his head come from The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Cars, or whatever, but ultimately they’re rooted in our shared musical past.
Dennis often says he plays guitar like a drummer, which is a cool way to say that he hears all the parts and what they ultimately become. Lyrics and themes are Mikey’s. He’s always been a storyteller, so the lyrics are cinematic and chaotic at the same time. Sometimes lyrics start with a line Mikey read or heard somewhere.
Sometimes it’s just a place that feels anxious - a place of regret or just a single word that brings some inspiration. Sometimes it’s hearing a melody over something instrumental that provides the basis to be creative. We are a very collaborative band and that, we think, is the joy of it. We’re all up in this.
Any plans to play out or put more records out? The people want to know.
Yes, absolutely. We’re writing new songs right now and excited to push it forward. We’re also working on shows with some peer bands up here, and hoping to do a West Coast swing in the near future. We are motivated to get out there!
I’m always curious about newer bands with older people from the hardcore scene and how tough it is to get over the marketing/publicity hump, like getting younger people to listen. Or do you just not think about that aspect and do your thing.
With the album out just now, we just started thinking about this. Ultimately, we romantically believe that if it’s worth hearing, people will hear it. But OK, that is a romance. We’re doing what we can to spread the word, and we’re so grateful to you for helping us do that. We’re also booking some shows with some friend bands, and the priority is to play all ages for those shows, so we do care about reaching the kids. We shall see!
Whatever happens, we hope that what we make resonates with people outside of our immediate circle. We’re super excited to get out and see how folks are hearing us. Thank you!
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Minus Numbers on social media: Instagram
Tagged: drift again, ignite, into another, minus numbers, outspoken, pushed aside
