MUTEMATH

MUTEMATH is an alternative rock group from New Orleans, United States, active from 2002. The band centres on Paul Meany, Darren King, Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas, Todd Gummerman and Greg Hill. It forms in New Orleans in 2003 and develops a sound that moves across alternative rock, rock, electronic and related styles.

Early releases and breakthrough

The group releases its first EP in late 2004 and begins touring in 2005. Its self-titled debut album follows in 2006 and brings wider attention for its mix of contrasting genres. By 2007 the band receives a Grammy nomination and draws notice for its live performances. The single “Typical”, from the 2006 album, becomes its best-known track and reaches number 33 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Its backwards music video is nominated for a Grammy in 2008 for Best Short Form Music Video, and the band recreates the reverse-playback effect in a live performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Further albums and line-up changes

During the making of the second album, Armistice, the band comes close to breaking up. In 2011, founding guitarist Greg Hill leaves the group. Todd Gummerman joins shortly afterwards and plays guitar, keyboards and backing vocals, later becoming a full-time member. He appears in most of the music videos associated with the album Odd Soul, which is released after Hill’s departure.

Vitals, remix work and final studio album

After Odd Soul, the band spends several years writing and recording material that becomes both Vitals and Play Dead. Vitals is released through the band’s independent label, Wojtek Records, after its departure from Warner Bros. Records. The album moves towards synthpop, electronic production and programmed textures, compared with the more blues and rock-influenced sound of Odd Soul. It debuts at number 49 on the Billboard 200, number 2 on the US Alternative chart and number 4 on the US Rock chart. Songs from the era include “Monument”, “Vitals”, “Light Up” and “Remain”. In 2016 the band releases Changes, a remix album built from material from Vitals.

Play Dead, described as the band’s fifth and final studio album, is released in 2017. Work on it begins before Vitals and takes around five years. The album includes “Hit Parade”, “Stroll On”, “War” and “Achilles Heel”, and debuts at number 112 on the Billboard 200, number 14 on the US Alternative chart and number 20 on the US Rock chart. It is the final MUTEMATH release to feature founding members Darren King and Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas, both of whom leave in 2017.

Live work and wider exposure

MUTEMATH appears on major late-night television programmes including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. The band also contributes songs to films including Twilight, Transformers, Never Back Down, The Stepfather, The Rocker and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.

By 2018, the project functions effectively as a solo outlet for Paul Meany.