Steeped in knowledge and respect, Numbs' highly charged performances soon earned them a cult following. Their records featured old-school flavor updated with unique vocal stylings and an unrelenting energy. The Numbs saga began when the group's five members met in junior high school. Childhood friends Gunnar McKell, Rick One, and Shanty met up with Mark Dago and Rooster. Brought together by a shared passion for hip-hop, the five started fooling around and making music together. One night the group talked their way into the opening slot of a local punk show and Numbs was born. Their frenetic performance that night serves notice, and it wasn't long after that Numbs was playing regular gigs in Salt Lake City. Those shows started to sell out as Numbs developed a healthy cult following. They quickly sold out of their homemade debut, Metaphonic, in 1996. A year later they followed with the vinyl-only EP Anesthetic Episode. The band continued to impress on stage, opening up for luminaries such as Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Aceyalone; earning the praise of critics and continuing to expand their fan base. Finally Numbs was signed to indie Guapo recording company who released their impressive The Word in 2001. ~ Martin Woodside