Great music is first for Soul'd Out

Band members say they're happy to be playing in Las Vegas

LOUIE TRAUB/VIEWMembers of the band Soul?d Out, Micah Armijo, left, and Tim McKearney, practice with bandmates Johnny Douglas, background left, and Julian Pedregon, background right, at their studio on Feb. 7. Advertisement

It was a stroke of luck that led lead singer Micah Armijo to create the alternative rock band Soul'd Out, but it's the group's collective drive to make its mark on the Sin City music scene that has defined it.

Armijo, a Las Vegas-based businessman for the past 20 years, had always written songs and played music as an outlet, but when he was introduced to bass player Tim McKearney by a mutual friend more than three years ago, it just clicked.

"It was a natural evolution," Armijo said. "We used to goof around in my garage, me and this guy who worked for me, who turned out to be a phenomenal guitar player. He introduced me and Timmy, and we just started playing together."

The band was formed in July 2004, making the rounds at the local clubs and bars and even spending some time in the studio, but it wasn't until mid-2005 that the group hit its stride.

"We happen to have a catchy, commercially cool sound," Armijo said. "That's really when our fan base exploded and we started playing any place in town that's worth playing."

Since then, Soul'd Out has played venues such as the Cheyenne Saloon, House of Blues and Jillian's, places that, according to Armijo, truly herald the arrival of a local band.

Guitarist Johnny Douglas and drummer Julian Pedregon are the band's newest members, joining Armijo and McKearney two months ago. But even after just a few months of playing as a group, Douglas said he has seen a huge response from fans.

"It's amazing to see the way that they go nuts when we take the stage," Douglas said. "We play originals that they sing along to. For a songwriter, that's a huge compliment."

Armijo is responsible for most of the group's originals, finding inspiration from his strong faith and his own life.

"People can interpret songs any way that they want to," Armijo said. "That's why music speaks to everyone, because everyone does that already. I just want people to take something positive from what we're doing."

The band has found success on a local and national level. It has opened for national acts, played packed houses and is being courted by record labels.

"To tell you the truth, it's not that we're not interested in signing a record deal, but it would have to be under the right circumstances," Armijo said. "None of us are playing because we need the money. We all have day jobs that pay the bills quite nicely. We do this because we love it ... we love our fans and we're having a great time."

According to McKearney, the band's true motivation stems from just making music, not the possibility of signing a record deal.

"There's just not enough money in it for young bands starting out today," McKearney said. "Labels are doing things very differently than they have in the past, expecting these kids to basically make it happen with no promotion, no backing. And we're not doing that."

"We're perfectly content to go on as we are and remain a Las Vegas band, playing for our fans and for ourselves," Armijo added.

Soul'd Out will play at 10 p.m. Friday at the Cheyenne Saloon, 3103 N Rancho Drive. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/souldoutrocks.