Rock Band

These days, most music making it big in Baltimore tends to be experimental. But locals J. Roddy Walston and The Business serve up good old-fashioned rock and roll. The Tennessee transplants (who’ve been in town since 2004) played a knockout set at Austin’s South By Southwest festival, released their first album this summer, and are currently on a nationwide tour. “We’ve gained every fan by going out there and hustling,” says lead singer and piano player J. Roddy Walston. “So now it’s cool rolling into cities where people already own the album.” The band, which has been selling out The Ottobar for years, is known for its unpredictable and raucous shows, which they tried to mimic on their self-titled debut. “All of us were feeling the pressure of the first record,” says drummer Steve Colmus. “Those nerves translate, so it feels more like a stage show.” Walston and company are admittedly excited for things to come. “I’ve been playing in bands since I was 15,” Colmus says. “And this is the first time I think it’s conceivable we’ll be in a way different place a year from now.”