Red Water Rojo is a band that builds its music around the lyrics of its songs.

The Solon-based band lets lead singer and rhythm guitarist Jason Meyers’ lyrics shine so the audience can understand and relate to them, drummer Matthew Vertock said.

When working on a new song, its members play Meyers’ lyrics in a bunch of different formats until they find the one that works the best.

“We use a lot of trial and error,” Vertock said. “We experiment a lot to find the right sound for a specific song.”

Rounding out the band are lead guitarist Joe Romito and bassist Joe Wheelock.

Red Water Rojo’s current lineup has been together for about a year. All the members had played with Meyers previously and knew each other from Solon. People came and went from Meyers’ band until the current lineup formed, Vertock said.

Red Water Rojo’s sound is a mix of country, blues and rock and roll, which is due to its influences of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Muddy Waters.

“I think our music is bridging Classic and New Age Rock, making it understandable and fun,” Vertock said.

Red Water Rojo uses a standard songwriting format for a lot of its songs, but also works odd time signatures and guitar solos into its music and builds a strong rhythm foundation with bass and drums, Vertock said.

All of the band’s members push each other to learn new songs and different techniques to improve themselves and the band as a whole.

“We challenge each other to better ourselves,” Vertock said.

Red Water Rojo is currently in the process of making an album. Its members hope to have it completed by the end of the year. In the meantime, the band wants to play more gigs in the future and hopes to earn a steady income from this, Vertock said.

“We want to make this our career,” he said.

Challenges Red Water Rojo has faced are the coming and going of various members and getting everyone on the same page musically. The band has also had difficulty with its promotions.

“We go to a place with a press package and it is not appropriate for that place,” Vertock said.Tyrel Linkhorn 11/29/06

It now works with bar owners individually to prevent this from happening, he said.

Red Water Rojo has played at Club Khameleon, Peabody’s and the Agora. The band has also opened for Cross Canadian Ragweed.

Audience members attending the band’s concert at Larry’s Tavern can expect a “very lively, energetic, tight sound” along with an intimate setting and playful atmosphere, Vertock said.

It now works with bar owners individually to prevent this from happening, he said.

Red Water Rojo has played at Club Khameleon, Peabody’s and the Agora. The band has also opened for Cross Canadian Ragweed.

Audience members attending the band’s concert at Larry’s Tavern can expect a “very lively, energetic, tight sound” along with an intimate setting and playful atmosphere, Vertock said.

Contact ALL correspondent Kristen Kotz at [email protected].