THE ODD NUMBERS remember what downtown San Jose used to be like. In the days before you had to pay a cover charge just to drink a beer, they remember venues they absolutely ruled in the early '90s, venues the Numbers have certainly outlasted in the local scene.

"I think we've got a pretty prominent spot in the local scene," says guitarist and lead vocalist Dave Baisa, "I know we're one of the longest-running acts in town." Despite being one of the most highly regarded bands on the local scene, the Odd Numbers—singer Baisa, bassist Dave Miller (Full disclosure: Mr. Miller is also Metro's receptionist) and drummer John Cummings—have been uncharacteristically quiet for the last five years. For fans of their punked-up retro style of rock, that hiatus has seemed like an eternity.

Baisa puts it this way: "We've been together for 17 going on 18 years now, and at some point you just realize you don't want to go out on tour anymore or you don't want to play the same old clubs again, but then a year passes and you realize, hey, I wanna get back out on the road and rock out." Also, the realities of life sometimes catch up with you. The Odd Numbers are all a bit older, a bit wiser; they have families, and yet growing up hasn't dulled any of their edge. These three still lay down some great mod-tinged rock & roll, still kick the same witty lyrics and still have a damn fun time in the process.

Without calling it a comeback, Baisa weighs in on, well, coming back. "You've gotta prove yourself all over again," says Baisa. "You get back to the strength of your nature."

This past year, the Numbers have done just that, shooting back into the local scene with a month-long stint headlining Wednesday punk night at Johnny V's, and also hitting San Jose's Music in the Park, where they opened for the English Beat. A lack of drive has never been an obstacle for the Numbers, but a scene lacking life has. "I think the local scene is missing some key elements right now," explains Baisa. "We're experiencing a definite lull in the scene, but everything will come around again, it always does." One of those key elements is an all-ages venue. The Odd Numbers used to rock the shit out of the Cactus Club. The Numbers know that the livelihood of any live music scene—the proverbial bread and butter—is the kids.

"This town desperately needs an all-ages club," says Baisa. "The kids need a place to get up there and bash out some rock." Coupled with the lack of venues for bands to play at, the Odd Numbers are also very aware that the entire music industry has changed in the last few years with the advent of the internet, Myspace and iPods, moving away from traditional media toward a digital format, a fact to which Baisa says the Odd Numbers have to adapt themselves.

"CDs just aren't selling anymore, so we're doing digital releases on iTunes," says Baisa, explaining that it allows them to release new music more often without the high costs associated with cutting a full-length CD. "We're a singles band, always have been—and I want us to start putting out new singles every three months." The Odd Numbers, in fact, have just gotten out of the studio where they've recorded their first new material since 2001, which, along with the rest of their catalog, should be available on iTunes in early February. "We still want a piece of the pie, and we all have side projects that keep us playing constantly," explains Baisa, and closes with something that comes as no surprise: "The best is yet to come."

The Odd Numbers play on Friday (Dec. 29) at 9pm at the Blank Club, 44 S. Almaden Ave, San Jose. Tickets are $8. (408.292.5265)

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