Counting on their fans: 3 In Counting enjoying success on stage
The Chicago suburbs are ripe with local bands trying to make a name for themselves. Glen Ellyn's 3 In Counting stands out, though, in that its star is already on the rise.
"The past six months have been a real surge for us in popularity," said band manager Mitch Doran.
The band's sound is a probable explanation for the steady growth in fans. "We really connect with fans from high school all the way to their 30s," said lead singer Mike Hayes. "We relate pretty well with everybody."
It's not hard to see why. Along with their easygoing personalities, 3IC offers a sound that connects listeners to some of their favorite bands. Inspired by the likes of Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime and 311, the band gives listeners a unique blend of sounds.
For most bands with a jazzy jam-related direction, cohesiveness is an issue. But not here. Tracks like "E Jam/Launch Pad," which features bassist Rob Kletsky's intro, explode into a combination of acoustic noodling provided by Hayes, irresistibly dancey keyboard lines at the hands of Eric Csukor, and Evan Behmer pounding out complex rhythms across his set. By the time you're done dancing, you can't believe that all the members of the band are 25 years old or younger. What's more impressive is their ability to switch directions on tracks like "NE One But You," which showcases Hayes' ability to take his voice seamlessly from powerful choruses to airy highs. The upbeat guitar and always-fitting keyboard/piano accompaniments make it nearly impossible to believe Hayes, Behmer and Kletsky came from metal backgrounds. Csukor, oddly enough, was classically trained in piano at the Chicago Academy for the Arts.
The original three members - Behmer, Hayes and Csukor - all grew up in Glen Ellyn, and, after college and playing in separate bands, decided one day to get together and jam.
"We were playing metal, but we were all way more jazz influenced," said Hayes. "I went away to Western (Illinois University) and lived in the dorms. I had a half stack and couldn't really blow people away, so I wrote a couple acoustic songs." Behmer joined in one day for a jam session, as did Csukor.
"We never had the intention of starting a band," says Hayes. "It was more just us wanting to get together and jam for awhile." Despite their initial inclinations, they formed 3 In Counting and played that way for a couple years. Without a bassist, Csukor had to add bass lines with his left hand. After recording "Romance," a CD of five songs, the trio stumbled across their fourth member - Rob Kletsky.
"I just met them by chance," said Kletsky. "It was through a friend of a friend of a friend at a party." Kletsky joined on soon after.
This incarnation of the band has seen a great deal of success, a lot of it coming in the recent months. After winning a battle of the bands competition at Ballydoyle in Downer's Grove, the band was rewarded with 12 hours of studio time and a side stage slot at Rock the Fox. After much persistence, 3IC earned regular stage time at the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville. It was there that a Comcast scout saw the band, filmed their show and added them to Comcast's "Get Local" On Demand section.
It's no surprise that 3IC's live shows got them noticed. The band takes great pride in having a blast on stage.
"We do a lot of improvising on stage. We try to have as much fun as possible," said Hayes.
Routinely drawing an intrigued and eager crowd, 3IC is no stranger to the spotlight, but still has a special place for their first fans, dubbed "Hometown Heroes" after the Hometown Pantry where they all once hung out.
The band is still coming to terms with its newfound popularity. "We've found ourselves at shows asking 'Do you know who these people are?'" said band manager Mitch Doran. "And we realize there's no longer friends of friends coming to our shows. It's new fans every time."
With nearly 30 songs ready for another album, band members have their eyes set on a record deal, upcoming festival bookings and a following in the college market. "You break into college listeners, and you have a fan base that goes anywhere," said Kletsky.
"Hopefully they'll take us with them."
<p class="factboxheadblack">3 In Counting</p> <p class="News">• 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4: Curly's Bar, 499 Pennsylvania Ave., Glen Ellyn</p> <p class="News">• 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5: Quigley's Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson St., Naperville</p> <p class="News">• 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10: Betty's Bluestar Lounge, 1600 W. Grand Ave., Chicago</p> <p class="News">• 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12: Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 5157 Main St., Downers Grove</p> <p class="News"><a href="http://myspace.com/3incounting" target="new">myspace.com/3incounting</a></p>