The Symmetry will do a number on you

222.

Like the numbers in “Lost,” those numbers follow the Bangor band the Symmetry around no matter where they go.

“We have this thing with the number 222. It’s kind of freaky,” said drummer Jared Soderberg. “A friend of ours’ Dad died on February 22, on Route 222 at 2:22 p.m. When we called our new singer to ask him if he wanted to join the band, the call was 2:22 seconds long, and it ended at 2:22 p.m. We see it everywhere. It’s ridiculous.”

So when the Symmetry beats Michael Jordan by 222 points in a 5-on-1 game of hoops, or gets signed for a $2.22 million record contract, don’t be surprised. Well, OK, do be surprised. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The Symmetry are five Bangor-area kids with a mission: to write the catchiest emo power-pop you’ll hear ’round these parts. That blend of emo and pop will be on display when the band plays with Armor For the Broken, Soundbender, Lannen Fall and For All I’ve Lost at the Underground in Bangor on Saturday.

Notice I said emo: Soderberg and the rest of the band (singer Ben Nadeau, guitarists Justin Kandel and Travis Davis and bassist Josh Van Santvoord) are not ashamed in the least to use the dreaded e-word.

“We have a mix of this new emo pop rock, with little hooks thrown in everywhere. It’s hooky emo, with a touch of pop,” he said. “We also like to call it triumphant hardcore.”

The band is very excited about doing what they do – and considering that they are all age 18 and under and are now getting recognized as they walk through the mall, they’ve already had a bit of local success. At least they’ve finally settled on a name.

“We started out as Alleyway, and then we were the Deph Americans,” said Soderberg. “Then we were Fairsale and the Farewell Red. We were Neverender for a little bit. Then we were Alleyway again. And then finally we are the Symmetry. We needed a fresh start. We wanted a palindrome, but we couldn’t think of any good ones other than ‘racecar.’ And that’s sort of a dumb name for a band.”

Soderberg and Kandel are the only original members of the band, while Nadeau, David and Van Santvoord signed on about six months ago.

“This is definitely the perfect lineup,” said Soderberg. “Ben has really intense stage presence. Plus, he’s gorgeous, so the ladies love him.”

The drummer, admitting that the lead singer is cute? Jeez, these guys must be really good friends.

“We hang out all the time,” he said. “We’re all outgoing personalities, and we all know we’re the biggest losers on the planet, and we’re OK with it. When we get together, we can write stuff immediately. We really have a lot of chemistry.”

The band is readying a few of those songs for a recording session scheduled for January at a studio in Massachusetts.

“We have a demo EP that isn’t really official,” said Soderberg. “We want everything to be right for when we officially release something.”

I can think of a good release date for that EP – Feb. 22nd is on a Thursday this year. I wonder how many copies they’ll print up?

The Symmetry will play at the Underground in Bangor on Saturday, Dec. 9. Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is $10. The show is all ages, and the venue is located on Outer Hammond Street on the Bangor/Hermon town line. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/thesymmetryrock. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.