MUTEMATH

MUTEMATH, also styled Mute Math or MuteMath, draws from multiple eras of alternative rock by blending New Order’s synth-driven dance epics, the Stone Roses’ loose shuffle, Radiohead’s cool detachment, Air’s atmospheric pop, and the powerful vocals typical of mainstream pop/rock. Paul Meany, previously a member of the Christian rock outfit Earthsuit, started exchanging musical ideas long-distance from his base in New Orleans with drummer and programmer Darren King in Springfield, Missouri. They exchanged CD-Rs along the Mississippi River route until accumulating sufficient material that prompted King to move to New Orleans, where the pair formed the band. Guitarist Greg Hill and bassist Roy Mitchell-Cardenas joined, enabling completion of the Meany-King songs in 2003. Meany then presented the demo to noted CCM producer Tedd T., whose enthusiasm led him to create the indie label Teleprompt Records for the 2004 release of the Reset EP. The EP’s traction enabled MUTEMATH and Teleprompt to secure a distribution arrangement with Warner Bros., which reissued the EP in 2005.

Although the band finished its self-titled debut album that same year, marketing disagreements between Teleprompt and Warner Bros. postponed its arrival for nearly twelve months. MUTEMATH and Teleprompt filed suit against the major label for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation. The band’s website later stated that the suit had been resolved out of court at the same time an improved Warner Bros. deal was signed. An expanded edition of MUTEMATH, containing remastered tracks from Reset plus a bonus limited-edition live EP, appeared on September 26, 2006.

“Typical” became a modestly charting single that reached the mainstream rock charts in 2007 and gained exposure on MTV, where its Grammy-nominated video proved popular. Tours alongside Eisley, Alanis Morissette, and Matchbox Twenty sharpened the group’s live performance skills, leading MUTEMATH to issue the album Armistice in 2009. The album entered the charts at number 18, and the band toured extensively, documenting one of those shows on the 2010 concert release Armistice Live. Todd Gummerman replaced guitarist Greg Hill that October, and the next studio album, Odd Soul, arrived in 2011. Vitals, the band’s fourth studio album, came out in 2015 on its own Wojtek Records imprint and included the singles “Monument” and “Used To.” The following year brought the new single “Changes,” which, together with several Vitals remixes, formed the album of the same name. After longtime bassist Mitchell-Cardenas left, the band announced “Hit Parade” as the lead single from its fifth album, Play Dead. One month before the September 2017 release, founding drummer King also exited.