Band hopes to keep having fun

The Crush caters to the crowd by playing a variety of music

SPECIAL TO VIEWThe Crush, a band that plays everything from the Beatles to Rihanna, has been performing together for about six years. Advertisement

Bearing a remarkable resemblance to rocker Jon Bon Jovi has advantages, but for Las Vegas musician Joe Quinlan, this particular ironic twist in genetic predispostion can be both entertaining and annoying.

"As a musician, you want to be taken seriously, and in a place like Vegas where there are so many impersonators, I get a lot of comments," Quinlan said. "It's not an intentional thing. I just happen to look like the guy."

Quinlan is the founder, guitarist and sometimes-singer of party band The Crush, a group he put together about six years ago.

"I have been in the business a long time, and you reach a point when you just want to be able to play the music you love," Quinlan said. "The stuff that gets you going, gets your heart pumping. You want to be able to make a living at it and set the world on fire in your own way."

The band's repertoire includes every genre of music from blues to rock, country to soul, the Beatles to No Doubt and Rihanna, with a plethora of hits stemming all the way back to the early 1960s.

"That's the great thing about this band," co-lead singer Christie Copeland said. "We can pull off disco, rock, island music ... whatever the crowd is into at the moment. If we start hearing requests screamed out for country, you know the next two or three songs will be along those lines."

According to lead singer Tiffany Browns, the best thing about being a part of The Crush is the opportunity to interact with the crowd and share a love of music.

"We will do whatever it takes to keep the party going," Browns said. "Everyone in the band has years of experience, and we're here to entertain."

The group has a steady groove of gigs lined up through the fall, and while they aren't looking to get famous or be signed to a record deal, all six members agree that the ultimate goal is to build a fan base and keep working in Las Vegas.

"We are a lounge act, but not typical," Quinlan said. "In reality, we're just a bunch of musicians who get together to play and have a good time. The result is a fun, dynamic and entertaining show. We love what we do, and I think that comes across on stage."

The Crush will play the Bourbon Street Lounge inside The Orleans at 9 p.m. April 22-27. Admission is free.

For more information, visit www.thecrushlv.com.