Up and coming local band Loose Lips Sink Ships invited me to sit in on a jam session/practice they were having to prep for Thursday’s show at the House Café.

Walking into bass player Steve Marek’s house, I was greeted by the members of the band; Marek, guitarists Matthew Frank and Conor Mackey and drummer Jacob Boulay as they finished up a game of “NBA Jam” on Nintendo 64. The room was lined with amps and guitar cases, but I was able to find a seat and make myself at home with the friendly guys.

However, my attention was quickly averted to the horrendous noise that was emulating from the speakers. Frank informed me that I had the privilege of listening to Captain Beefheart, who Frank enjoys for his “fractured song writing,” and rightly so, as I felt as though I was listening to someone torturing a saxophone.

Frank’s liking of fractured song writing has somewhat of an influence on the band, and was perhaps spawned by his hatred for his mother’s preference for Gloria Estefan. Mackey said that his parents greatly influenced the music he listens to. His style is more influenced by John Scofield and “quirky art music in general.”

Marek informed me that their style or genre of music is instrumental “Math Rock,” which incorporates songs that have unique or off-kilter time signatures.

When the boys were done playing “NBA Jam,” we headed up to the practice space – Marek’s cramped bedroom. Somehow we all fit, and the practice ensued with a very jam band feel to it, as the members of the band stood around in a circle.

The music was strangely unexpected, but at the same time, extremely enjoyable. It seems as though some of the lines of the songs are misplaced or scattered about, but then they come together to deliver a great climax and a satisfying closer.

“There is a basic structure to our songs,” Mackey said, “but I would say that there is a fair amount of improvisation that goes into each one.”

“I would say that there is a road map, but that we all take different paths to get to our destination,” Boulay said. “I never play the same thing twice.”

The members of Loose Lips Sink Ships have a great chemistry with each other, and this really comes through in their playing. One song in particular, “Holy Hot Flash Batman!” showcased how all four members were able to stop and start numerous times completely simultaneously.

This showed not only their dedication to practicing, but their intense control and precision as a band. Though I expected all four members to be pursuing music as a career, I was surprised to find out that only Boulay and Mackey were in the NIU music program.

But perhaps more importantly, they make sure to have a good time playing their music. Boulay recalled their last show, where he, having the only microphone on stage, faked an Irish accent for the entire show.

“At the end of the show, I was completely surrounded by 14 and 15 year olds,” Boulay said, “and one of them begged me to say her name.”