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Although they haven’t had any hits yet, the band 4192 — named after Pete Rose’s record-breaking base hit — wears the tag like they earned it fair and square. With an increasingly heavy and focused sound, the trio makes a lasting impression, particularly for fans of brooding Avant Blues.
The earliest roots of the project reach back only to 2002, when guitarist/vocalist Dylan Ewing started passing out a homemade four-track recording, I Am 1,000 Years Old. At the suggestion of friend Brian Frey, the two began playing these songs live as 4192.
Many people got their first taste of 4192 from the 2003 datawaslost compilation, One Two Three. Ewing’s submission was the haunting “Little Miss 1465,” a simple but well-done acoustic guitar/sound sample composition. His plaintive voice and the mix of effects and traditional guitar playing made the track a standout, even among the unique content on that disc.
Frey soon left for NYC, but Ewing retained the live presence with an ever-changing cast of characters. Drummer Greg Boyd was the first member to achieve permanent status, followed shortly by mutual friend Mike Fischer on bass. This lineup has been actively gigging and honing their live sound, which has gained cohesion and evolved significantly over the last year.
Currently, they are awaiting the release of a split CD with The Sundresses. Although this might have seemed an oddball pairing a year ago, 4192 has stretched into edgy, completely stripped-down Rock territory, making the two artists a good match. Given Ewing’s current raw take on the Blues vocals, his wet, droning guitar, and Boyd and Fischer’s abrupt and sultry pulsing, it might not be readily apparent whose songs are whose.
In anticipation of the release, I got some perspective on the band from its founder that is every bit as formulaic as the music … which is to say, not at all.
CityBeat: How would you describe 4192?
Dylan Ewing: Mathematical stories. Late nights. Strange birds.
CB: Do you dabble in other types of art?
DE: I write a lot. I’d like to make a movie. It’ll have a horse in it.
CB: How does 4192 write music?
DE: For words, I often think of one line I like a lot, then build up lyrics around that. It’s like a house. Or a really good sandwich. The music is always different. Sometimes the whole thing just comes out of nowhere. Sometimes riffs just hang around the depot waiting to be picked up, and eventually they do. Most of the time, anyway.
CB: How did the split disc come about?
DE: It was all Brian (of Ultrasuede Studios) Niesz’s idea. We knew The Sundresses and all, but it was Brian’s idea to record us both and put out a split CD. Something for the bands to have at shows and something to build his experience as an engineer.
CB: What inspires 4192 songs?
DE: Jesus man, a lot of things. Traveling, Warren Oates movies, female laughter, Levi’s. Just strange stories. Things that happen when you think no one else is paying attention. Ghosts.
CB: Do you feel your songs are best enjoyed live or recorded?
DE: Well, live music has more potential for danger, which is appealing.
CB: What are the band’s plans for the future?
DE: Record a full-length album. Tour. Buy another Telecaster.
4192 has a MySpace Web site at myspace.com/4192.
This article appears in May 11-17, 2005.
