The Black Math Experiment

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Black Math Experiment

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Img_capt = The Black Math Experiment: left to right, Bill Curtner, Chris Soliz, Jef With One F, Christi Lain, Captain Mongo Nelson (behind) and Brian Coleman. Photo courtesy Jordan Chan, Evolution Fotos
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Origin = Houston, Texas U.S.
Genre = Alternative rock
Years_active = 2004 – present
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URL = [http://www.theblackmathexperiment.com/ The Black Math Experiment website]
Current_members = Bill Curtner
Captain Mongo Nelson
Brian Coleman
Christi Lain
Jef With One F
Past_members = Chris Soliz

The Black Math Experiment is a band described as a unique blend of 1980s synth pop and new wave music [ [http://blogs.chron.com/handstamp/archives/2005/09/joeys_weekend_p_10.html Brief review by Houston Chronicle] ] with similarities to “The B-52's crossed with Berlin, The Dead Milkmen, and Talking Heads.” [ [http://www.donewaiting.com/houston/archives/2006/11/review_the_blac.php Review of “Last Transmission from the Blue Room” by David Cobb of Houston Calling] ] Based in Houston, Texas in 2004, the band is known for their offbeat pop songs with irreverent or strange lyrics (for example, "Evil Wizard Jesus"). They are known for elaborate live shows that integrate multimedia such as televisions endlessly running odd videos, evangelical-like pamphlets and baptisms, Christmas presents, and a toilet paper cannon, all led by the inexhaustible energy of lead singer Jef With One F (Jef Rouner). Recently, they received notoriety with their song, “You Cannot Kill David Arquette”.

History

The Black Math Experiment was founded by Bill Curtner in Houston, Texas in 2004 with Curtner on guitar, Captain Mongo Nelson (Captain Matthew Nelson) on bass guitar, Brian Coleman on drums (2004-), Chris Soliz on keyboards/synthesizers and Jef With One F (Jef Rouner) and Christi Lain singing lead vocals. The band was formed from the remnants of a previous band called Cosmonaut Down with Lain and Jef replacing the previous lead vocalist. The Black Math Experiment debuted at a club called Helios in Houston on December 18 2004. The following year they put out their debut EP, “What We Do... Is Secret". [ [http://www.donewaiting.com/houston/archives/2005_10.php Review of “What We Do... Is Secret" by David Cobb of Houston Calling] ]

The band rose to notoriety with its 2005 release “Fake Words and Signs From Space.” The release featured the sarcastic song “You Cannot Kill David Arquette,” which was inspired by Curtner’s fascination with the resiliency of Arquette’s movie characters. This song led to an informal collaboration with the object of the song and a makeshift Arquette altar at live shows. A second single, “Laugh Track”, became the theme music for the Dial-A-Joke segment on British KidsCastUK. [ [http://britcaster.com/486/kidscast-co-uk.html KidsCastUK website with playlist including the recurring song “Laugh Track” by The Black Math Experiment for their Dial-A-Joke segment] ] In a review, Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle described the band as a “snappy, sarcastic sextet” “equal parts neo-new wave rock outfit, irreverent comedy troupe and kitschy musical theater act.” [ [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/music/local/3524657.html Review and interview by Joey Guerra of Houston Chronicle] ]

Their next release in November 2006, “Last Transmission from the Blue Room”, was well-received by critics, seeming “a natural progression for the band.” [ [http://www.donewaiting.com/houston/archives/2006/11/review_the_blac.php Review of “Last Transmission from the Blue Room” by David Cobb of Houston Calling] ] [ [http://www.austinsound.net/TransmissionsReview2-16-07 Review of “Last Transmission from the Blue Room” by Evan St. John of Austin Sound] ] Following the album's completion, Chris Soliz left the group as a full-time member to pursue other projects, but remains an occasional collaborator.

Starting late in 2006, Black Math Experiment songs such as "Ohio" regularly began making the playlists of Houston area alternative rock radio stations like KPFT and KTRU. [ [http://www.publicnewsonline.com/111806bookmark.pdf Sample Houston music survey for 11-18-06 by Public News Radio puts “Ohio” as #7] ] [ [http://www.radrich.com/main.htm Rad Rich on KPFT] ] [ [http://bang.rice.edu/OLDLIST/20070225.html “Last Transmission from the Blue Room” debuts at #7 at KTRU on February 25 2007, beginning a long run in the Top 15] ]

The band is currently on tour in the U.S. and maintains a growing fan club.

The Black Math Experiment and David Arquette

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200px|thumb|left|David Arquette meets the Black Math Experiment; from left, Bill Curtner, Captain Mongo Nelson, Jef With One F, David Arquette, Christi Lain with Brian Coleman behind at wheel of limo. Photo courtesy Lynda RounerThe band’s 2005 song “You Cannot Kill David Arquette” was commended by its subject, David Arquette, who sent the band a box of gourmet cupcakes in thanks. [ [http://blogs.chron.com/handstamp/archives/2006/09/immortalizing_d.html Interview with the band on their song “You Cannot Kill David Arquette” and Arquette on his cupcakes] ] Since then, Arquette has occasionally promoted the band, including during an interview on MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL). [ [http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/trl/interviews.jhtml?interviewId=1549649 MTV’s transcript from Total Request Live] ] [ [http://blogs.chron.com/handstamp/archives/2007/02/black_math_expe.html Coverage and interview on MTV and David Arquette, with MTV photo] ] On March 27 2007, during a national tour for his film The Tripper, the actor stopped in Houston to promote the band and joined them onstage in a performance. [ [http://blogs.chron.com/handstamp/archives/2007/03/bme_and_david_a_1.html Houston Chronicle account of David Arquette and The Black Math Experiment onstage] ] [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=GuAHzH-OV80 Video highlights by David Arquette of his visit with The Black Math Experiment with interview excerpts] ] [ [http://blogs.chron.com/handstamp/archives/2007/03/post_15.html Video montage by The Houston Chronicle of David Arquette and The Black Math Experiment onstage with interview excerpts] ]

Members

Current

*Jef With One F (Jef Rouner)– lead vocals, keyboards (2004-)
*Christi Lain – lead vocals, keyboards (2004-)
*Bill Curtner – guitar, keyboard, vocals (2004-)
*Brian Coleman – drums (2004-)

Former

*Chris Soliz – keyboards, synthesizers (2004-2006)
*Captain Mongo Nelson (Captain Matthew Nelson)– bass guitar, vocals (2004-2007)

Discography

* "What We Do... Is Secret (E.P.)", 2005
* "Fake Words and Signs From Space", 2005
* "Last Transmission from the Blue Room", 2006
* "Live From the Five Minute Hallway, Vol. 1", 2007

Footnotes and references

External links

Official sites
* [http://www.theblackmathexperiment.com/ The Black Math Experiment]
* [http://www.myspace.com/lasttransmissionfromtheblueroom Album Site]

Other Interviews and Articles
* [http://www.stp.uh.edu/vol71/58/arts/arts2.html Interview with The Daily Cougar]
* [http://images.chron.com//content/chronicle/ae/music/band/podcasts/blackmathexperiment.mp3 Audio interview by The Houston Chronicle]
* [http://blogs.chron.com/handstamp/archives/2006/09/immortalizing_d.html Interview with the band on their song “You Cannot Kill David Arquette” and his cupcakes]
* [http://blogs.chron.com/handstamp/archives/2005/11/handstamp_asks_8.html Interview with lead singer Jef]
* [http://www.austinsound.net/?q=SOBlackMathExperiment Profile of The Black Math Experiment by Austin Sound]
* [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/music/4797012.html Houston Chronicle’s Andrew Dansby Compares “You Cannot Kill David Arquette” to Similar Genre Songs]
* [http://michaelharren.com/WordPress/2006/01/05/mpob31/ Podcast Interview with BME by Mikeypod.com]