System 56 has been played on NTS shows including Crossed Wires w/ Amanda Siegel, with Brave New Toys first played on 17 April 2026.

System 56 was a band from Cleveland, Ohio, formed by Steve Simenic in 1981-82. The group drew much of its early inspiration from artists such as Ultravox, BeBop Deluxe, Simple Minds, Gary Numan and The Cars, featuring a stripped-down type of aesthetic, which blended edgy guitar riffs against a minimal synth backdrop, fueled by a driving rhythm section. The band was committed primarily to crafting and recording their music in a small home studio setting. Simenic played all the instruments and recorded the band's 45s in his bedroom.

In early 1982 the band released their first single "Metro-Metro b/w In the Old World". After their "Metro Metro" and "Life on a Cool Curve" singles became college radio and WMMS mainstays, the band debuted to a sold-out crowd at the Phantasy Theater in 1984 - an unprecedented feat for a local artist. System 56 released as many records as they played shows: three.

Simenic abruptly broke up the group and quit music in 1985. Bassist Tom Lash (ex-Lucky Pierre) would go on to form Hot Tin Roof in 1990.