Band of the week: Blue Moon Revue

They call themselves an original jam band, taking roots from a variety of musical influences like soul and rock. Blue Moon Revue takes its unique jam style to the City Grille Friday, kicking off a string of shows in October.\n"Jam bands are moving in different directions," sophomore guitarist Andy Salge said. "I feel with the variety our members bring to the band, we've developed our own original style."\nBlue Moon Revue, composed of Salge, junior Matt Marshall (rhythm guitar/vocals), sophomore Dave Sullivan (guitar/vocals), sophomore Matt Frick (percussion) sophomore Drew Scalercio (keyboards/vocals) and sophomore Dan Hirons (drums), uses its original style to attract its listeners.\n"We want people to hear us," Marshall said. "We want to see people dance."\nOnly together for a year, the band has come a long way. \nBlue Moon produced and recorded its first album itself. The band laid down the tracks at the home of some of the band's members. 1108 Sessions showcases only original music from Blue Moon Revue.\n"Producing the album ourselves really cut costs so we could distribute the album to more people." Marshall said. "We want lots of people to hear our album... so it's priced cheap." Marshall said.\nBlue Moon Revue so far has shown a good deal of audience appeal, receiving feedback and audience requests its original songs, such as "Streetlight" and "Butterfly." Though playing mostly original material, Blue Moon takes a couple shots at covers, usually jamming out to its own version of the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and Al Green's "You Say It."\n"In the clubs, people are dancing to our music," Salge said.\nBlue Moon is starting to direct its attention a little more to the future, playing six shows this October, as well as working on getting gigs in Broad Ripple and other venues outside of Bloomington.\n"College is a good time to progress as musicians," Salge said.\n"We want to progress as a unit and play music for everybody," Marshall said, "...and someday for a living," added Salge.\nBlue Moon's scheduled six shows this month include Friday's show. They can also be seen this October at Kilroy's Sports, the Cellar Lounge and Second Story.\nWater Company, a band that mixes the mandolin and banjo with the typical rock instruments, opens for Blue Moon Revue. The show starts at 10:30 p.m.