Roslyn frontman Brooks Cullum is known as "that guy with a guitar."
"He always carries it around and just starts playing when he feels like it," explains guitarist Pedro Aida. "He even broke up a fight once."
"These guys were fighting after one of our shows. Brooks takes his guitar out and starts playing [Creedence Clearwater Revival's] "Bad Moon Rising" and the whole place just stopped and started singing along. The guy who started the fight got really confused which made it even funnier."
Richmond band Roslyn emerged on the music scene in 2008 and have been quickly making themselves known in the city as well as around Virginia.
Long time friends Cullum and Aida formed the framework of Roslyn after meeting in their previous band, The Rulers. Drummer Greg Butler, who played with Aida in River City High came on board along with Alex Smith on bass to complete the group.
Roslyn, who named themselves after a district in Arlington, Virginia, describe their music as pop rock although they hesitate to do so.
"I don't like the word pop. It has such a negative connotation these days," Aida says. "We're not pop like Jonas Brothers or Britney Spears, we're pop as in popular music. It's upbeat and fun."
With influences ranging from The Beatles (Cullum cites them as his all-time favorite band) to the Kooks (Aida admits to listening to their CD for the past year), Roslyn's music is reminiscent of bands like Green Day, the Gin Blossoms and the Goo Goo Dolls with a lot of 60s influences thrown in.
"Everyone who listens to us say we sound like the Gin Blossoms, which is great because we love the Gin Blossoms."
They have also released a four song sampler from their upcoming full-length "On Display," recorded at Aida's own Detached Sound Studio.
Cullum, who is the primary songwriter of the group says he tends to break away from all reality when he gets into the moment.
"I guess that's kind of why I'm obsessed with music," he laughs.
"We usually listen to parts of other songs we're listening to and if we like it, we'll try to incorporate it into one of our songs," Aida adds. "Not copying the song, but instead working with it and making it our own -- a drum beat here, a background vocal there."
Recently on tour in cities like Blacksburg and Harrisonburg, the band had time to meet people and make friends as well as fans.
"We always make time for the fans that come to shows. They're paying to see us, so we want to get to know them. And we always have a good time."
And while the band loves touring, they feel that there's a slight disconnect between musicians on tour and fans.
"There are lots of places to play music and a lot of great bands. On that front, the music scene is great," Aida says. "The problem is that it's hard to get people to come to shows. There are many amazing bands that have no one come out to see them live. People need to get excited about bands playing."
"I remember the music scene back in the 90s with bands like Avail and Ann Beretta," Cullum adds. "There were so many bands that got a lot of support from fans and then it just kind of vanished. We'd like for that to come back. It's getting there though."
As for the future of Roslyn, the band wants what every other band wants.
"We'd love to be signed. We'll do whatever it takes so we can do what we love doing. We don't want to be a band that has a hit single that you never hear from again. We want Roslyn to be a band forever."
"Although if the Jonas Brothers asked us to write a song, I might do it for $10," jokes Aida. "Brooks would do it for a cup of coffee and some cigarettes."
Roslyn will be playing this Friday, May 22 with Jukebox the Ghost and Jenny Owen Youngs at the Canal Club.
"We put on a good show," Aida says. "We're loud. We're a rock and roll band live. It'll leave you happy you came to see us."
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