Something with Numbers formed in 2001, coming out of the Central Coast punk scene in New South Wales, Australia. The name of the band derived from a friend's suggestion that the band's name should be "something with numbers". The band soon signed to small indie label, Below Par Records, and worked towards releasing their first EP, The Barnicles & Stripes, in 2002. Two years later, in 2004, Something with Numbers released their debut album, Etiquette.
''Perfect Distraction''
The band continued to grow their sound and in 2006 they made their commercial break through, with the release of their second studio albumPerfect Distraction in October of that year. Their 'Goodbye Mickey Finn' tour saw them play around the country with up-and-coming bands The Inches and The Lazys. The album featured a range of styles and genres, touching on soul rock and their usual punk rock sound. It featured three songs that were released as singles, the first - and most popular - being, "Apple of the Eye ". "Apple of the Eye" peaked at No. 34 on the ARIA Singles Chart, and placed No. 64 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2006. The second single from the album was "Chase the Chaser", which failed to reach the ARIA Singles Chart; however, it did receive airplay on Australian music network, Channel V. Something with Numbers played at the SydneyBig Day Out on 25 January 2007. Channel V described the show as having the "best mosh of the day". Other notable concert appearances for the band have been alongside Lagwagon, Good Charlotte, Millencolin, The Ataris, Amber Calling and Panic! at the Disco.
''Engineering the Soul''
The band recently released their third album, Engineering the Soul, on 6 September 2008. They have returned from recording the album over nine weeks in March/April, at Mission Sound Studios, Brooklyn, New York, in the United States. The album was produced by Tim O’Heir, who's "respected" for collaborations with bands such as Dinosaur Jr., The All-American Rejects and Say Anything. The first single off the new album was "Stay With Me Bright Eyes", which reached No. 48 in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2008. A music video was created for it. A second music video is planned, with the band advertising the filming to get extras for the video. Early releases of the CD came with a bonus DVD, containing all of the band's music videos to date, the making of "Stay with Me Bright Eyes", and the making of Engineering the Soul, which includes live footage from their first show after returning to Australia at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney. On 14 September 2008, Engineering the Soul debuted at number 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
''Maniac + 2011''
Jake Grigg has teamed up with Shawn Harris of The Matches in a side project known as Maniac. In February 2011, Something With Numbers released news that they are currently writing for a new record. In a post on their Facebook page the band mentioned that fans should expect some new material in the later half of the year, and in addition to this, the band will most likely be going on tour to accompany the release. In an interview with rock journalist Nick Milligan in August 2011, Grigg said of their upcoming fourth record: "I really want to make a heavy, catchy album. I don't particularly listen to heavy music anymore, but I enjoy playing it live. I want to write some energetic, heavy music that you can sing along to." Something With Numbers' comeback performance will take place at the Coaster festival in September 2011.
''Cover Versions''
There have been a number of cover versions including "To Be With You" by Mr. Big on the last-ever episode of Robbie, Marieke and the Doctor on Triple J and more famously an acoustic mashup of "Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon and "Hits from the Bong" by Cypress Hill dubbed "Sex from the Bong".
