Courtesy Michael J. Media Group

Credit: Ron Soltys

God or Julie with Chevelle, Finger Eleven at E.J. Thomas Hall

Tuesday 7:30 p.m. $20

Change is an obstacle God or Julie has overcome. With old members leaving the band and new ones joining it, God or Julie was still able to release its first album, This Road Before.

In 2007, drummer Marc Slutsky left the band. God or Julie’s current lineup includes vocalist/guitarist J.P. Johnson, bassist Adam Johnson, guitarist Matt Hogan and drummer Aaron Stern, who was previously the drummer of Matchbook Romance. Adam and J.P. are brothers.

It took the band about a year to record the entire album. When Slutsky left the band, it slowed down the recording process, J.P. said.

“It feels great,” he said. “It was a long process.”

Adam and J.P. grew up near Denver before moving to NewYork to pursue a music career. J.P. said he enjoys being in a band with his brother.

“I really like it,” he said. “We get along in the band and outside of music.”

This Road Before was originally released in November 2007, but the band is re-releasing the album to coincide with its upcoming tour. The band’s influences include Queen and the Beatles. J.P. said he likes Queen because of the operatic and epic style of music. The album’s sound reflects this.

“I have had people describe the music as semi-dark to me,” he said. “It is also kind of melodic.”

God or Julie is now on national tour with Chevelle and Finger Eleven for the next two months promoting the album. Last year the band played at the House of Blues in Cleveland with Everclear as part of its tour. On this tour God or Julie will stop at the University of Akron on April 8. The band is excited about the tour.

“We are really stoked,” J.P. said. “Every tour is a learning experience.”

After the tour ends, J.P. says the band will head back in the studio to record its next album. J.P. is always writing new songs for the band to record.

“Writing just comes easy to me,” he said.

He said he hopes the band’s next album will be out in six months.

Contact all reporter Kristen Kotz at [email protected].