Rock Solid and built on rock and roll

There's a good chance you've seen the members of Rock Solid around before. Maybe not when they were performing with Rock Solid, but maybe with one of the three other bands who have a Rock Solid player -- and sometimes several -- as a part of its cast.  

Rock Solid was formed in early 2004 by guitarist and singer "Shiv" Schiwitz and bassist Jeb Stuart, who had begun jamming on anything and everything.

Anything and everything musically also grew to include anybody and everybody, and soon Party Nate was added on guitar and vocals, said Shiv. Drummer Ron Ruppel joined later on that year.

Keeping with the theme of "anything and everything," Rock Solid's sound is characterized by several -- sometimes contrasting -- influences, including punk, glam metal and stoner rock. Their songs have giant metal and punk riffs, and the vocals can either be snarling, falsetto or both at the same time.

The reason for the slight contrast is because the each member has very individualistic influences, Jeb said.

Ruppel summed up Rock Solid in another way. "We're a jam band that only plays hard rock, that's the best way I can describe it; which is a pretty crappy way to describe it."

As with most bands, Rock Solid got their start playing open mic nights around Cape Girardeau. Through Party Nate they were also able to play at shows at Southeast Missouri State University, including a battle of the bands that they won in 2004. But the band's schedule got really full when Ruppel joined the band.

"Ron knows just about everybody, so he got us a bunch of good paying gigs," said Shiv.

The band estimates in 2005 alone they played between 25-35 shows, with most of them in or around Cape Girardeau, since Rock Solid has never toured. They try to play twice a month, Ruppel said, but scheduling problems often arise with the other bands the members of Rock Solid are in. "I want to play more gigs and sometimes I can't," said Ruppel.

Three members of Rock Solid are in Pizzasaurus Rex; Shiv, Party Nate and Jeb. However, Party Nate says that Pizzasaurus Rex only plays "when the Christmas packs of liquor come out."

Shiv and Party Nate are also in Squadcar. Jeb is the bassist for the Dirty 30s, a band that Shiv has also once played with.

The only member of Rock Solid not in another band is Ruppel, although he was the drummer for Tone Def All-Stars until that band disbanded last August.

"Actually, I have turned a few bands down," said Ruppel. "What can I say, I'm an asshole."

There have been several times when the members of Rock Solid have had to go to one gig from another to play with their various bands. Most recently Shiv and Party Nate played three shows New Year's Eve with Rock Solid, Squadcar and Pizzasaurus Rex.

In addition to all of their playing, Rock Solid also did some recording last year with Brandon Drury at EchoEcho Studios in Scott City, with the end result being their album, Solid Rock.

"Nate brought a bottle of whiskey, I took some pills," said Shiv. "We started at like nine o'clock in the morning. And at like five o'clock it was done."

The recording process was very reminiscent of the "first take" policy that many punk bands have.

"At the studio when we showed up, we just got fucked up and recorded all the songs live," said Ruppel. "We just recorded it all live and let it go, mistakes and everything. We just wanted to put the band on tape."

The only song that received any overdubs was "Wettest Wildest Summer Ever," which the band felt needed the extra production. That song is one of Rock Solid's best, with its catchy chorus, gliding solos and a bridge drum beat straight from Phil Spector's production of "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes.

"We built Scott City on rock and roll and that's how it was done," said Party Nate, summing up the recording of Solid Rock.

Rock Solid is looking for many things to happen in 2006.

"President Bush will get us into another war," said Shiv. "Thus, Rock Solid shows will be that much more fun because you never know what's going to happen." Shiv also says to expect "a lot better songs, a lot better shows, and a lot better fun." And Ruppel says that the band might tour, possibly in June or July.

Keep an eye on Rock Solid's website, www.myspace.com/rocksolid5250 and OFF! Magazine's Entertainment Guide for Rock Solid's next shows in Cape Girardeau.