Local Band Q&A: Hundredsomethings

By Chris Colberg

Published: November 12, 2008

Q: What’s behind your name?
A: Adam Patten, guitar, vocals: Well, I wanted it to be a name that wouldn't give away our sound, or restrict what we want to do musically. The meaning could be interpreted a lot of different ways. You can take it for what you want, it’s not like it has some secret meaning.

Q: What’s usually the inspiration behind your songs and how long does it typically take to write one?
A: Patten: I listen to music constantly and good music always inspires me. I am inspired by anything passionate and original. There are not a lot of real original sounds out there right now, but it makes innovative things seem that much better. These songs are really just my personal take on things, my perspective. The songs on the record “Get Well” have all been written over about a two year period of time, but a song could take anywhere from a year, to an hour to write.

Q: Have you written the song you think will put you on the map? If not, what do you think that song will be about?
A: Patten: I don't really think too much about getting on the map or that kind of thing. I am just really happy to have made a record and to get to go out and to start playing shows. I think all the songs on the record are good and could potentially be appreciated by people. Obviously it would be great to have the songs heard by large numbers of people, but even if anyone at all connects with the songs, then it is a success to me.

Q: What sets your band apart?
A: Patten: I believe the state of music is very diluted right now because a lot of bands try to be different by having gimmicks. A lot of buzz words like “indy” or “experimental” get used for bands that don’t really experiment in any real way at all. I think we are set apart from other bands because we are playing rock and roll music that is not gimmicky, the sound has been the focus, not the look, or the idea, or the personal benefit, just the music, and I hope that shows.

Q: Has anyone in your band overcome extreme difficulties to get where you are now?
A: Patten: As a band we have all fought through the difficulties, that is what makes us a good band, the songs that I’ve written are not written because everything has been peachy. You can’t be an honest musician without enduring some extreme difficulties in life. I don’t have any great success story that would make us sound like something from VH1 behind the music, but our music definitely has been born of some kind of difficulty as well as some great enjoyment and fun.

Q: Didn’t you release an album recently
A: Patten: Yes, We release our debut album on November 8 at the Opolis in Norman. The album is called “Get Well,” and it has been written and recorded over the past few years. The album was done at Bell Labs in Norman, with producer Trent Bell, who is a great producer and musician himself.

Q: What should someone expect if they go see you this live?
A: A good rock show.

Your thoughts!