Owing to this, on every other Sunday night one can find the Cheapside filled with the sounds of The Yonders doing an act all their own.Laid-back and totally fun, The Yonders are made up of six members that might not be in their 20-somethings, but the groove in their hearts could be that of the boys next door.
Reminiscent of the basement bands that saturated the suburban neighborhood air across America, The Yonders make you smile, laugh, clap your hands, and wish for peanut butter sandwiches and Tang.
Nevertheless, it might be better to wish for fried chicken, taters and a big glass of bourbon.
Using their heritage in the bluegrass as one source of inspiration, The Yonders belt out tunes to the somewhat country-folk style they developed.
"It's not standard country, and it's not alternative country," said bassist Matt Renfroe. "I guess you could call it a blend of everything and everybody we like."
Influenced by kick-backed singers like Hank Williams, Jr., Merle Haggard, the Carsons, and Bob Dylan, The Yonders have a good time doing what they love - on their own.
Without management assistance, their first album, Rexall on Main Street, became a popular hit with the locals. Their second independent full-length CD, Songs from the Burley Belt, will be released soon to the delight of fans, especially those at Cheapside.
"Some of our biggest fans are the people that work here," said vocalist and acoustic guitarist Matt Patterson.
The fans will have an explosion of music to choose from since the Burley Belt offers a little bit of everything for the listener that likes the sweet sounds of southern guitar.
The live-cut album combines soulful originals as well as covers to melt your heart. "It's Only Love" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney along with "Smoke That Cigarette" by Merle Travis and Tex Williams are two of the covers that add depth to the album.
Driving the stake straight through the heart are vocalist and guitarist George Glasscock's songs "The Note" and "Too Much Pain in My Heart." The opportunities to see him perform his own work live will diminish as he says goodbye to the band and leaves for California in September.
My question: Will the rest of The Yonders follow?
"Who knows?" said Patterson, "I have to say no, but this band has gone through many changes over the last six years. Who knows where we'll end up and who with."