Our first album.

certainly there is a thematic reason. that is obvious. only the most pedestrian (i.e. not riding a bicycle or a tricycle and stupid) bi, tri fan has not put together that the band's name relates to my favorite number, 23. All the super nerds have already figured out that the album title is in binary and is in fact a, 23. So, it only makes sense that the album should feature 23 songs.

I've taken a lot of flack for this unforunately leangthy debut. To be honest I had more songs finished and had to pick and choose based on faves as well as song duration (you can only fit 74 minutes on a CD, and budget did not permit a double album. Besides putting out a double album as a debut is a bit pretentious is it not?) to make the 23 song thing work.

I wasn't sure as I started recording these songs if bicycle, tricycle was going to be my new 'band' or simply an excuse to keep writing music after the demise of my previous band, bohb (www.bicycletricycle.com/html/bohbindex.html). I started writing songs by myself. I had a computer with Reason and Pro Tools. As I recorded all the parts I would start inviting my friends to come over and replace the more poorly played sections. And thus the model for bicycle, tricycle was formed. No particularly consistent lineup. I write all the songs, then my talented friends come over and help flesh them out. when I get enough I put out an album. Tah Dah.

For this first record I was lucky to work with Tamar Berk. She had her own band Starball and a new band called The Countdown (with hubby Steve Denekes who did the album artwork for 10111). Tamar recorded all the backing vocals for 10111. I also worked with Jonny Polonsky for guitars on a number of tracks, the remainder being handled by Mike Datz. Dan Polonsky played bass on many of the songs and I had live drums on 5 songs provided by Randy Payne.

Given how the band has developed since this debut I can look back happily at the hodge podge recording and production stylings. This album is a large nut to crack, but rewarding to those that make it to the back half. It's pretentious and personal, self congratulatory and self effacing. It's probably the most honest collection I have contributed, and therefore the least accesible.

For those that enjoy, I worry for you. For those that don't, I expected nothing less. And for those that don't bother, well why are you reading this?

fnord.

10111 is available for sale from the bicycle, tricycle site, CD Baby or iTunes.