A recent all-ages show demonstrated to RosCo and the Heads how their music crosses generational boundaries.
Tulsa band rocks out with its own style
Classic rock, friendship drives group
Tulsa -- RosCo and the Heads can rock with the best of them.
"We might not actually look as heavy as we are," said bassist Steven Ford. "We might look like some older guys, but we can actually rock with the best of them."
The band has been around since the early 1990s and at 40-something, they're still doing what they love.
They have more than 30 years of experience on the stage, in the studio, and on the road.
Currently, they are working on their 10th CD, and the nine previous albums do quite well overseas.
The band would rather play classic rock, but aren't opposed to other music.
"We can play some Bob Wills for you, we can play some Hank Williams for you, but we'd rather not, we'd rather rock out," said Ross Chronister, guitar and vocals. "The three main influences would be the Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, abd Van Halen. Those three bands right there pretty much cover us to a tee."
Sometimes bands don't always get to play what they want, but instead have to play what club owners want. Once you make a name for yourself, there is more freedom to play originals and the covers you want.
"In Southeastern Oklahoma, when you're making your dues and stuff, you play a lot of country music, you play blues, and we're really into classic rock, and more modern rock, so we really stick out like a sore thumb," Chronister said. "But that's what RosCo and the Heads is all about, having more of a classic rock sound."
The band respects tradition, which isn't a quality you can find with some of the newer bands around.
"I was reading the other day where young people today are offended if you don't offend them and that's kind of true," said Chronister. "But we're a bunch of nice guys in a really different world."
They recently performed at an all-ages show and were amazed how the younger crowd responded to them.
"Nothing against modern music, ya know, the rap and hip-hop and all that," Chronister said. "It's just that we were live, we weren't pre-recorded, there was no choreography involved. It was a live rock n' roll show and these kids loved it and that just put a smile on all our faces."
The band typically plays clubs that are 21 and over, so this was a nice surprise for kids to react so well to their music.
"Our live show is pretty energetic for a bunch of 40 year olds, so we just have a great time and the music makes everybody 14 again," said Chronister.
Every band has its own idea of what it wants its fans to experience.
"We want them them to be thoroughly entertained, that's what it's all about," Chronister said. "We don't really want them to think that much; we're not mindless entertainment or anything like that. We want them to be thoroughly entertained and that means they've gotta be sweatin, that means they've gotta be a bit drained, but happy."
Ross and Steven have known each other since high school and have played in a band with each other on and off again for many years.
"We can read each other very well, and we're blessed with a good drummer who is really talented," said Ford.
A big issue with Ross is supporting local musicians.
"In my humble opinion, the greatest musicians in the world are the American bar bands because they're out there doing this every weekend and they have to put up with drunks and bar owners, and all kinds of mishaps," said Chronister.
And probably the most important factor is between the band members themselves. "Being in a band is like a marriage, I mean regular marriages don't do very well these days. Try to times that times three or four or five or however many band members you have. So we have to go through a lot to just play music. It's not all fun and games. But there's nothing that will make you higher than being able to play your music," said Chronister.