The original personnel were Robert Kidney (guitar, lead vocals); Terry Hynde, brother of the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde (saxophone), Hank Smith (guitar, keyboards); Greg Colbert (bass); and Tim Hudson (drums). Chris Butler, from Tin Huey and The Waitresses, played in the band for a stint as a bassist. They premiered as a live act at the local nightspot The Kove in July 1970. Later, they incorporated jazzy influences as well and they have stuck with their sound ever since.
By 1972, Gerald Casale, future co-founder of Devo (bass), and David Robinson were added to the lineup. Casale was thrown out after wearing a monkey mask onstage. Due to interior pressures, Kidney terminated the project by year's end and joined his brother Jack's band, King of Hearts. However, King of Hearts reformed as a new Numbers Band a few weeks later with a retooled lineup that consisted of the Kidney brothers, Hynde, Drake Gleason (bass) and Jay Brown (drums). After two years of playing gigs, Brown left the band and Robinson came back. Michael Stacey (guitar), was added prior to the cutting of their 1976 live album Jimmy Bell's Still in Town. The following year, Gleason was replaced by Bart Johnson (bass). The Numbers Band, like most of the other Ohioans, never became renowned nationally and were not signed by the major labels.
In 1982, the band released its second album, 15 60 75 The Numbers Band 2, which was its first studio recording. The next year, its single, "Here in the Life", was released through Pere Ubu's David Thomas' label, Hearpen. Fred Tribuzzo later took over the bass playing from Johnson.
The Golden Palominos did their own rendition of the Kidney composition "The Animal Speaks" from Jimmy Bell in 1985. Robert Kidney toured with the Palominos the following year.[2]
The third Numbers Band album, Among The Wandering, was released in 1987. Despite some local success and radio airplay of the single "High Heels Are Dangerous", they remained only locally known. Stacey left in February 1989 and was not replaced. In 1990, Robert Kidney received a kidney transplant, necessitated by a birth defect and complicated by years of hard living. Blues by the Numbers, their second live album, showed up the following year, as did the retrospective, 15 60 75 Twenty. A new studio effort, Hotwire, was released in 1992.
In 1998, Robert and Jack Kidney performed with David Thomas and his "Mirror Man" stage production at the Southbank Center in London. In 2000, the entire Numbers Band performed there. The brothers toured with the troupe in the Netherlands and Canada, and again in Los Angeles in 2003.
In 2003, The Numbers Band were among the rockers profiled in the PBS documentary It's Everything, And Then It's Gone about the Akron Sound. The band then consisted of the Kidney brothers, Hynde, Bill Watson (bass) and Frank Casamento (drums).
They released Inward City, in 2009.
In 2010, Anton Fier reunited the Golden Palominos for a limited number of shows in New York City. Robert Kidney joined the performances at The Living Room and Le Poisson Rouge.
In 2011, drummer Frank Casamento left the band and moved to Chicago. Clint Alguire replaced him.
In 2012, Robert Kidney was awarded the Cleveland Arts Prize Lifetime Achievement Award for Music. The CAP created this video:Cleveland Arts Prize, Robert Kidney.
In 2013, the Kidney Brothers released their first duet CD, "Coal Tattoo", on ReR Megacorp Records. That same year, the Numbers Band re-released their first LP, "Jimmy Bell's Still in Town" as a double vinyl LP from Exit Stencil Recordings with three extra tracks which were recorded in the same time period. The band traveled to New York City that December to perform songs from the album at the Bowery Electric. Longtime fan David Fricke from Rolling Stone was in attendance. Fricke wrote the liner notes for the re-release.
Robert Kidney released his first solo effort in early 2016: "JackLeg", a collection of songs written by Robert with acoustic guitar, recorded at Studio G in Brooklyn (released by Exit Stencil Records).
The Numbers Band celebrated their 45th anniversary at The Kent Stage in Kent, Ohio, on October 3, 2015.
In 2020, they released a CD recorded live in the studio, “Endure: Outliers on Water Street”. On February 28, they celebrated their 50th Anniversary at the Kent Stage, performing to a sold-out crowd.
Talk
15-60-75 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're talking too (Yeah)
The reefers talkin to me
The trees are talking to me
The shrooms are talkin to me
They're talking to me
God is talking to me
She's talking to me
She's talking to me
God is talking to me
She's talking to
Niggas in the huddle throwing shit up, Willie Beaming
21 Skunked you niggas, I don't play defense
I'm 21 forever dog, I am never peaking
I'ma live forever man I wrote in the cement
I was in LA really Hollywood dreaming
I was in LA tryna fight off all my demons
Niggas suck dick, they love swallowing my semen
I was in the rocket with Philipe we were speeding
Niggas stabbed my back, but heart is still beating
I was slowly sinking, niggas left me in the deep end
Now I know what's up, shit happened for a reason
Now I'm blowing up, me and all of my achievements
I'ma top them charts, I'ma rock my scars (Uhh yeah)
Niggas throwing salt, because me and God talk
She said stack that guap, she said show your heart
All my dreams being caught, yes sir, because me and God talk
Talk your talk, uhuh, she said talk that talk, uhuh
I'ma bite not bark, pussy nigga want smoke then I'll spark
I said please don't start me, I said please don't start
Ahhooo
The reefers talkin to me (Ahhooo)
The trees are talking to me
The shrooms are talkin to me
They're talking too
The song "Talk" by 15-60-75 is a trippy and psychedelic music journey that describes the feeling of being in touch with various elements of nature and the universe. The chorus consists of a repetitive and hypnotic chant, "The trees are talking too, the reefers talkin to me, the shrooms are talkin to me, God is talkin to me, she's talkin to me." These lyrics suggest that the singer is experiencing a state of profound awareness and communication with different living beings and entities, from the plants to the drugs to the divine.
The verses of the song shift towards a more rapper-like style, with the use of slang and bravado. The singer boasts about his achievements, his eternal youth, and his connection to God. He also speaks about the challenges he faced, including betrayal and rejection, but how he persevered and grew stronger from them. The overall message of the song seems to be one of empowerment and confidence, as the singer affirms his worth and his ability to overcome obstacles and succeed in life.
Overall, "Talk" is a surreal and introspective song that combines elements of different genres and styles, from rock to hip-hop to psychedelia. It uses vivid and enigmatic imagery to convey the idea of being in tune with the universe and one's inner self, while also celebrating individuality and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
The trees are talking too (Yeah)
Nature is communicating with me, reminding me to listen to and respect the world around me.
They're talking too (Yeah)
The natural world has a voice of its own, and it wants to be heard and acknowledged.
The reefers talkin to me
Marijuana is having a powerful effect on my mind and perception, leading me to new insights and discoveries.
The trees are talking to me
Nature continues to speak to me, revealing deeper truths and meanings about the world and my place in it.
The shrooms are talkin to me
Psychedelic mushrooms are opening my mind to new experiences and thoughts, showing me things I never knew before.
They're talking to me
These substances are having a profound impact on my consciousness, causing me to question and explore reality in new ways.
God is talking to me
I am feeling a spiritual connection with a higher power, receiving guidance and support from the divine.
She's talking to me
I perceive God as female, and she is communicating with me personally and intimately, offering me love and guidance.
She's talking to me
God is a real and active force in my life, and her voice is one that I can hear and understand.
God is talking to me
By embracing my spirituality, I am able to connect with a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life.
She's talking to
God's communication with me is ongoing and dynamic, with new revelations and insights always unfolding.
Niggas in the huddle throwing shit up, Willie Beaming
My peers are engaging in reckless and potentially dangerous behavior, but I am not interested in joining them.
21 Skunked you niggas, I don't play defense
I have overcome challenges and obstacles in life, and I am not afraid to assert myself and take risks.
I'm 21 forever dog, I am never peaking
I am young and full of potential, with a long future ahead of me to continue growing and developing as a person.
I'ma live forever man I wrote in the cement
I am determined to leave a lasting legacy that will endure long after I am gone, something permanent and meaningful.
I was in LA really Hollywood dreaming
I had ambitious aspirations to make it big in the entertainment industry, but I was also facing inner turmoil and doubt.
I was in LA tryna fight off all my demons
I struggled with personal demons and inner turmoil that threatened to consume me, but I persevered and overcame these challenges.
Niggas suck dick, they love swallowing my semen
People are envious of me and seek to undermine me, using whatever means necessary to try and destroy me.
I was in the rocket with Philipe we were speeding
I was living a wild and indulgent lifestyle, taking risks and pushing the boundaries of what was socially acceptable.
Niggas stabbed my back, but heart is still beating
Even though I have been betrayed and hurt by others, I am still alive and determined to keep going, refusing to be defeated by their actions.
I was slowly sinking, niggas left me in the deep end
I was struggling with depression and despair, feeling emotionally overwhelmed and abandoned by those I had trusted.
Now I know what's up, shit happened for a reason
I have gained greater clarity and perspective on my life, recognizing that even the most difficult experiences have helped shape who I am.
Now I'm blowing up, me and all of my achievements
I am experiencing great success and recognition for my talents, and I am proud of what I have accomplished.
I'ma top them charts, I'ma rock my scars (Uhh yeah)
I am confident in my abilities and my place in the world, and I will continue to strive for greatness while embracing the challenges and struggles that have made me who I am.
Niggas throwing salt, because me and God talk
Others are criticizing and attacking me because of my spirituality and connection with a divine power.
She said stack that guap, she said show your heart
God is encouraging me to work hard and achieve financial success, but also to remain true to myself and my values.
All my dreams being caught, yes sir, because me and God talk
I am realizing my deepest aspirations and dreams, thanks to the guidance and support that I receive from God.
Talk your talk, uhuh, she said talk that talk, uhuh
God is empowering me to speak my truth and express myself fully, even in the face of opposition and criticism.
I'ma bite not bark, pussy nigga want smoke then I'll spark
I am not afraid to stand up for myself and defend my honor, even in the face of threats or violence.
I said please don't start me, I said please don't start
I am pleading with others to avoid conflict and confrontation, recognizing that violence and aggression only lead to more pain and suffering.
Ahhooo
This sound represents a primal and instinctual connection to nature and the natural world, reminding us of our shared roots and ancestry.
The reefers talkin to me (Ahhooo)
I am experiencing a profound sense of enlightenment and connection to the universe thanks to the influence of marijuana.
The trees are talking to me
The natural world is speaking to me in a language that I am able to understand and appreciate, revealing deep truths and hidden meanings about the mysteries of life.
The shrooms are talkin to me
Through the use of psychedelic mushrooms, I am having a transformative and otherworldly experience that is changing the way I see and perceive the world around me.
They're talking too
All of these influences - nature, drugs, spirituality - are adding up to a powerful and enlightening experience that is helping me to grow and evolve as a person.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: RYAN DALEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sharonlonjak7933
YES!! The Numbers Band. One of a kind. TRUE ARTISTS!! They were a staple for my years @ Kent State. 1978-1983. JB"s Up--Sat.nights. After whatever other B.S. we were up to. Looking back...huge highlight of my college years!
@MrWarrior4yeshua
Water Street baby! :)
@nancyfairleigh7193
Kent in the 70's first time I heard them....always miss them when I am in Ohio.....glad to hear them here!
@popbottle2645
i can't believe we're all still alive
@popbottle2645
she said "WHAT road?"
@brianslease648
They are still going strong after 45 years together. And they still play in Kent, OH.
@jltrem
1973-1975. The Kove. I was there.
@vickyeisenstadt2774
Jack - Their guitarist Michael Stacey once described it to me as "punk jazz". LOVE this band.
@michelefitzgerald6603
GOOD TIMES
JB'S
THE BAGEL MAN
OUTSIDE
SAVED MY LIFE
EVERYTIME
@I-SUPPORT-TRUMP
Stumbled into JB's one night and was blown away by the numbers band. This song in particular was just plain awesome!Numbers band the over to Ray's for a blue cow and a beer. Wish I could have that night one more time....