The Number Twelve Looks Like You

The Number Twelve Looks Like You is a mathcore band from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, active from 2002 to the present. The group is also referred to as TNTLLY or The #12. Its sound combines mathcore with grindcore, screamo, experimental and progressive metal, and it becomes known as a notable part of the New Jersey underground scene.

Formation and early line-up

The band begins in early 2002, when Jesse Korman and Justin Pedrick meet through a mutual acquaintance. They recruit Christopher Conger, Jamie McIlroy and Alexis Pareja and start as a bass-free group called And Ever. After recording a five-song demo and performing a small number of shows, the band changes its style and takes the name The Number Twelve Looks Like You. The name comes from an episode title from The Twilight Zone.

By early 2003, Mike Smagula joins on bass. At a live show, the band is heard by an A&R representative from Brutal Records, which leads to contact with the label and a deal in March 2003.

Recordings and releases

The band records material for its first full-length album, Put on Your Rosy Red Glasses, which includes newly commissioned songs alongside earlier recordings. After touring in support of the album, it signs to Eyeball Records in October 2004.

Its first release for Eyeball is the EP An Inch of Gold for an Inch of Time, which includes a cover of The Knack’s “My Sharona”, two new songs, and re-recordings of “Don’t Get Blood On My Prada Shoes” and “Jesus And Tori” from the debut album. The band then records Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear.. with producer D. James Goodwin; the album is completed in seven days and includes 10 new tracks as well as re-recordings of “Like A Cat” and “Clarissa Explains Cuntainment”.

The band’s third full-length, Mongrel, appears in 2007. In 2008 it releases the live CD/DVD Here at the End of All Things and a limited-edition 7-inch, The Remixes. Worse Than Alone follows in 2009.

Breakup and return

After the release of Worse Than Alone and touring with Protest the Hero, Misery Signals and Scale the Summit, Justin Pedrick leaves the band because of his long-term struggle with depression and anxiety. In early 2010 the group confirms that it has broken up because of internal issues, and its final show for more than six years takes place on 29 January 2010.

The band plays a secret show in Kingston, New York, on 19 May 2016 and confirms its return the next day. In February 2019 it says that it has finished recording a fifth album, although its title is not announced.

Members

Current line-up

Jesse Korman performs lead vocals. Alexis Pareja plays guitars and also contributes lap steel, keyboards, synthesizers, programming and backing vocals. DJ Scully plays bass, and Michael Kadnar plays drums.

Former members

Former members include Justin Pedrick on co-lead vocals, Christopher Conger on drums, Jamie McIlroy on guitar, Mike Smagula and Chris Russell on bass, and Jon Karel on drums and percussion.