 "Photo: Photo Provided")
Thursday, November 8, 2001
By their own admission, the last place the members of the Murfreesboro-based band known as Laws Rushing want to take you is Genre-ville.
"After all," says recording industry major Laws Rushing who serves as the quartet frontman, namesake and primary tunesmith, "we're a song-based group, (and) we put a lot of emphasis on the music."
Together just six months, the group's moniker is derived from one of its members, not because he is an ego maniac, but because the other members felt Laws Rushing was a namesake that wouldn't cause their music to be pigeon-holed.
"We tried to figure out something that definitely wouldn't put us in any category, and it's a weird name," says Rushing, 25. "But it doesn't put us anywhere too quickly.
"It's a name that leaves us open to do what we want to do and not be blocked in too hard-core – in Genre-ville."
In addition to Rushing, the act includes 22-year-old drummer Erik Nordquist, also a recording industry major, 26-year-old bassist Steve Mayo, a 1999 graduate of MTSU, and lead guitarist Dwayne Rushing, 25, who is Laws' fraternal twin.
Although the bandmates grew up in different locales, each of them began playing musically in junior high.
Laws and Dwayne call Jackson, Tenn., home, while Nordquist hails from Fredericksburg, Va., and Mayo is from Bethune, N.C.
Collectively, the music makers have been inspired by Bob Dylan, the members of Led Zeppelin and even the Everly Brothers. Yet, when these influences are combined with the players' own tunesmithing and drive, Laws says the end result is "energetic" to say the least.
"We are all on our own, and that's why we're banded together and so strong," he says, referring to the foursome's dedication to its original sound. "Other than school, it's [the band's music] that we live for."
Formerly known as Evil Twin, Laws Rushing delivered its guitar-driven sound for locals Nov. 1 at Wallstreet, located at 121 N. Maple St. in Murfreesboro. Nashville-based act Kim's Fable opened the show.
Laws says those who have heard his former project, Evil Twin, shouldn't expect to see or hear a "cookie-cutter" show or old songs because Laws Rushing is a different musical venture.
"There will definitely be a common thread [in the music], but always there's something new in each song. There's a distinct sound to it ... and my brother is the real musician out of the two of us," he says of his Telecaster-toting sibling. "Dwayne has been playing for a long time."
Aside from changes in personnel, "Musically, the difference [between Evil Twin and Laws Rushing] is that the songs have more of a point now. They're easier to understand and the music is more complete, a fuller sound," explains Laws, who also has switched from an acoustic guitar to an electric one in the name of "bigger sound."
Subsequently, Laws Rushing has already taken its fuller sound to the studios of Church Street Sound in Murfreesboro.
"We've been recording since summer, and when we're finished, we'll have 12 tracks," Laws says. "... And all the songs are different subject-wise."
Laws also adds that listeners can expect to hear band originals such as "Striking," "Got It" and "Long Gone Love" on the band-produced recording.
"As far as our music goes, there's a lot of variety on this recording. Everyday stuff, like being alive one more day," he says. "But all of our music is definitely guitar-driven and vocal-driven. It's melodic-driven rock."
And while the recorded project, which is now halfway completed, has yet to earn a working title, it's assuredly a band effort.
"All of the band has contributed to the music, and they all write their own parts," Laws says, "but as far as the initial song, I do that.
"I write the initial song, music and lyrics ... and there's some music that Dwayne has written with me. But all of the members are definitely filters for what we're doing."
"This is truly a band effort," he continues, "despite the fact that, seemingly, there's a frontman kind of deal. It's just not that way.
"This is a band."
As for the quartet's upcoming show, Laws says he hopes concert-goers not only like what they hear and are entertained, but also are challenged because the band doesn't do the status-quo rock.
"We're not a cover band, so it's not so easy-going," he says, smiling.
Laws Rushing will play at The Boro Bar and Grill Nov. 29, located at 1211 Greenland Dr.
Also, the original music of Laws Rushing will be featured Nov. 25 on 102.9 FM The Buzz during the station's local music program.
Broadcast times for the program were not available at press time.
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