The Number Twelve Looks Like You
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Bergen County, New Jersey , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, live recordings |
The Number Twelve Looks Like You is a mathcore group originating from Bergen County, New Jersey, established in 2001. After a six-year break beginning in 2010, the band reunited in 2016 with a surprise performance.
Early Years and Brutal Records Era (2001–2004)
The band initially formed in early 2001 under the name And Ever, founded by Jesse Korman, Chree Conger, and Justin Pedrick. They later adopted the name The Number Twelve Looks Like You, drawing inspiration from the Twilight Zone episode titled "Number 12 Looks Just Like You." The lineup solidified with Korman transitioning from drums to lead vocals, Conger taking over percussion duties, and the addition of bassist Mike Smagula.
In 2003, following a live performance that impressed an A&R representative from Brutal Records, the band secured a deal with the label. They recorded two new songs alongside previously written material, culminating in their debut album, Put On Your Rosy Red Glasses.
Eyeball Records Period: An Inch of Gold for an Inch of Time and Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear. (2004–2006)
After extensive touring supporting Put On Your Rosy Red Glasses, the band signed with Eyeball Records in October 2004. Their first release under Eyeball was the EP An Inch Of Gold For An Inch Of Time, which came out on January 25, 2005. This EP featured a cover of The Knack's "My Sharona", two fresh tracks, and re-recorded versions of songs from their debut album.
Following a brief promotional tour, they entered the studio with producer D. James Goodwin to record their next full-length album, Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear.. Finished within seven days and released on June 7, 2005, this record contained ten new compositions along with re-recordings of two tracks originally on the EP.
Mongrel, Worse Than Alone, and Disbandment (2007–2010)
On June 19, 2007, the band unveiled Mongrel, an album comprised entirely of new material. It attained position No. 19 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and No. 34 on the Top Independent Albums chart. The only single released from this album was "Grandfather". In 2008, they issued a live CD/DVD titled Here at the End of All Things as well as a limited edition green vinyl 7" called The Remixes.
Their subsequent album, Worse Than Alone, was released on March 10, 2009; however, it leaked online several days prior to its official launch and reached No. 47 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart.
During a tour alongside Protest the Hero, Misery Signals, and Scale the Summit, vocalist Justin Pedrick departed due to ongoing battles with depression and anxiety. The band announced his exit through their MySpace blog while affirming their intention to continue producing music for their audience.
Internal conflicts led to the band's dissolution in early 2010. Their final live performance took place on January 29, 2010.
Following the breakup, members maintained communication with fans via Twitter and Facebook, hinting that achieving 10,000 followers might encourage reunion concerts. Speculation about a comeback circulated around December 12, 2012 (12/12/12), coinciding symbolically with their band name.
On August 2, 2013, they debuted the first installment of their video series 24/7.12 on YouTube, offering viewers a glimpse into their origins.
Reunion and Wild Gods Era (2016–Present)
On May 18, 2016, the group hinted at their comeback via a Facebook update showcasing a refreshed logo alongside a setlist, signaling a performance scheduled for May 19 in Kingston, New York. The following day marked their first live appearance since January 2010, with frontman Jesse Korman confirming the band's reformation. The reunion lineup featured Korman on vocals, Alexis Pareja handling guitar duties, Michael Kadnar on drums, and DJ Scully playing bass.
During 2016, they joined The Dillinger Escape Plan as support on the Limerent Death tour and celebrated the twelfth anniversary of Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear. with a dedicated tour in autumn 2017. By February 2019, the band had finalized recording their fifth studio album, Wild Gods, which was officially released on September 20, 2019.
In May 2024, the band embarked on a tour alongside The Fall of Troy and Heavy Heavy Low Low. On May 12 of that year, they announced changes to their lineup, welcoming bassist Cody McCorry and drummer Michael DeMarco. Later, on August 16, 2024, they signed with Equal Vision Records and unveiled plans for a new single titled "Eyes on the Fireworks," marking their first release in five years and the debut featuring the new members. Subsequently, in May 2025, they introduced another single named "Indeciso," preceding an upcoming album whose release date remains unconfirmed.
Musical Style and Influences
The Number Twelve Looks Like You is recognized for merging elements of mathcore, post-hardcore, screamo, emo, and metalcore into their sound. According to AllMusic, their music represents a "dark and dystopian variation of screamo," integrating Japanese-inspired noise rock and intricate shifts in tempo and time signatures akin to Frank Zappa’s work. Guitarist Alexis Pareja attributes their evolving musical direction as a pivotal factor behind their decision to reunite.
Pareja’s background in classical training informs his influences, which include jazz fusion pioneers John McLaughlin and Robert Fripp. Vocalist Jesse Korman’s vocal approach is shaped by screamo groups such as Love Lost But Not Forgotten, pop legend Michael Jackson, death metal performers, and System of a Down. Former co-vocalist Justin Pedrick identified Tom Waits as a significant influence on his artistic style. The band also draws inspiration from jazz musicians like Mark Guiliana, Tigran Hamasyan, Miles Davis, Avishai Cohen, and John Coltrane. Their top five inspirations encompass Mahavishnu Orchestra, Gorguts, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Pantera, and This Day Forward.
Members
- Current lineup
- Jesse "Jase" Korman – lead vocals (2002–2010, 2016–present)
- Alexis Pareja – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (2002–2010, 2016–present)
- Cody McCorry – bass guitar (2024–present)
- Michael DeMarco – drums (2024–present)
- Past members
- Christopher "Chree" Conger – drums (2002–2006)
- Mike "Smoogs" Smagula – bass guitar (2002–2006)
- Jamie McIlroy – guitar (2002–2008)
- Justin Pedrick – co-lead vocals (2002–2009)
- Jon Karel – drums (2006–2010)
- Chris Russell – bass guitar (2006–2010)
- DJ Scully – bass guitar, backing vocals (2016–2024)
- Michael Kadnar – drums (2016–2024)
- Timeline
Discography
- Studio albums
- Put on Your Rosy Red Glasses (2003)
- Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear. (2005)
- Mongrel (2007)
- Worse Than Alone (2009)
- Wild Gods (2019)
- Extended plays
- An Inch of Gold for an Inch of Time (2005)
- The Number Twelve Looks Like You (2007; limited Hot Topic exclusive)
- The Remixes (2008; limited Hot Topic exclusive)
- Live recordings
- Here at the End of All Things (2008)
Videography
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Like a Cat" | Darren Doane |
| 2007 | "Grandfather" | Ron Winter |
| 2019 | "Ruin the Smile" | Jesse Korman |
| 2019 | "Raised and Erased" | Karen Jerzyk |
| 2024 | "Eyes on the Fireworks" | Jeremy Comitas |