Charlotte band keeps recipe for success simple

MUSIC CONCERT

Laid-back rock band Simplified will be performing in Charleston this Friday, just in time for fans of live music to kick off their weekends by grabbing a beer and a few friends to dance to the grooves of the Charlotte-favorites.

Though their goatees might mislead you to believe that they are some sort of sell-out pop/punk number, one listen to Simplified's first album, "Smile," and you'll have no choice but to do exactly that. With songs that are truly simple, in a refreshing rather than dull way, which are based on acoustic and electric guitar layering and catchy, but never trite, lyrics based on life-experiences, Simplified brings out some interesting reggae and funk undertones.

Though guitarist Chris Sheridan said that he'd love to tour with The Dave Matthews Band because of the two groups' similar audiences, he said that any comparisons aren't wholly accurate.

"We're not a jam band, we're a band who can jam out, but we've had people who love all types of music come out and love our shows," Sheridan said. "Come out to a live show and you'll probably have a good time. We're not trying to be anybody. It's just 'have a good time' music. I think it's got mainstream appeal, but it's a little abstract and a little less predictable."

After consistently performing acoustic shows together Sheridan and lead singer and acoustic guitarist Clee Laster started auditioning musicians to take their act further. By January 2004 they added Chris Lynch on bass and Tim Lail on percussion. The band started out mixing the few originals Laster had on deck with covers of Ben Harper, Sublime and classic rock bands, which they tailored to their own styles. Within a couple of years though, a receptive fan base in the Charlotte area gave Simplified enough shows to play all original work full time.

Now the band is staying busy by touring five days a week, traveling everywhere in between Wisconsin and Florida, going as far west as Biloxi, Miss.

"It's just getting better and better," Sheridan said of Simplified's tour schedule. "Partly because of our new agency. We surrounded ourselves with a team of good people."

Hoping to pursue a record deal, the members of Simplified want to take their music to the next level professionally and begin marketing on a national level.

"We want to work for a really good producer who can really capture our live sound," Sheridan said. "We've played over 1,800 shows but we've been in the studio three times."

As another step towards broadening its fan base, Simplified recently shot its second music video for its most downloaded song on iTunes, "Sugartree."

"Sometimes when you have a song and you gain popularity you have to play it every night," Sheridan said. "We love these old songs, but we're also growing as song writers and musicians."

Simplified will perform with Craven Melon at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Rockin' on the Point at the Charleston harbor Resort Marina in Mount Pleasant.

IF YOU GO

WHO: Cravin' Melon and Simplified for Rockin On The Point.
WHEN: Friday 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.
COST: $7 at the door.
MORE INFO: rockinonthepoint.com.
WHAT DID YOU THINK?: Go to postandcourier.com/preview and add your opinion about the concert.