The Roadhouse Band Live at AJ's Oasis

Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Steve Piper offers "rhythm and groove" as a definition of the genre of The Roadhouse's music.

"We didn't really fit into a genre, so we defined our own," he says.

The Roadhouse's play list consists of what grooves, what they enjoy playing and, of course, what works for a specific venue, Piper says. "Think of it as blues, R&B, rock, reggae, country, southern rock, with a little bit of funk, soul and jazz and a whole lot of fun mixed in."

Influences include Allman Brothers, Delbert McClinton, Neville Brothers, James Brown, Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, Ben Harper and Dave Mathews. Into this jammin’ groove brew they mix some originals every chance they get.

The Roadhouse consists of Piper and friends Carl Hopkins, lead guitar and vocal, drummer Dave Thompson, bassist-vocalist Dave Murphy and keyboardist-vocalist Scooter Van Dyke. One of the band’s favorite elements is their featured guests who have included some of western Massachusetts' finest musicians.

"A groove so wide you can slide in sideways," describes the spirit of a Roadhouse show, Piper says. For more information, check out the band's website: www.roadhousegrooves.com.