Photo courtesy of Red Switch Red Switch is (left to right) Trent Purdy, Josh Levine, Andrew Skikne and Ernie Gardner.

You might see Red Switch while theyâre out playing on tour. You might see them opening locally for a touring band.

But there are a few Tucson venues you probably wonât see them play in.

ãWeâre too loud,ä said Andrew Skikne, guitarist for Red Switch.

The number of venues the group can play at in Tucson is limited because the bandâs music is a little louder than most local bands.

ãWeâve gotten the impression that they just canât have those kinds of bands with loud guitars and drums,ä Skikne said.

And Red Switch, in short, is that kind of band. Loud drums, loud guitars, pretty much loud everything ÷ to which anyone who has seen them live or picked up their debut EP can attest.

But Red Switch, which consists of guitarist Andrew Skikne, guitar and vocalist Josh Levine, drummer Ernie Gardner and bassist Trent Purdy, isnât a typical loud bar band.

The group formed in the summer of 2001 as each of the membersâ other respective bands were running out of steam.

Red Switch became each memberâs main project after the other bands ran their courses.

Though their former bands were vastly different, Levine said Red Switch represents a nice melding of tastes.

ãWeâre trying hard to do something that is original and has some depth to it,ä Levine said. ãWe try to keep the songs catchy and entertaining, while still giving them substance.

ãWeâre not interested in being an obscure indie band.ä

The bandâs ability to attract both indie rock and rock and roll audiences has landed them opening spots for a variety of touring bands as they make their stop in Tucson, as well as shows on the road.

In the past few months Red Switch has played with Volta Do Mar, Gunfighter, Shiner and Desaparecidos.

In May, they played shows every Sunday at the Modified, an all-ages venue in Phoenix, making them Modifierâs first-ever ãhouse band.ä

Though most of the bands theyâve opened for have been indie rock bands, Red Switch is eager to play to wider audiences.

ãWe want to play with every big touring band there is. If U2 or Aerosmith or Pink Floyd were on tour and they needed an opening band, weâd fucking die to get that show,ä said Skikne.

ãWe donât consider ourselves this hip, elitist underground outfit. We want to play to a lot of people.ä

While all members have similar backgrounds in playing rock music, they all vastly differ in music genres. Red Switchâs music, however, represents every musical taste.

ãIts not just what Josh likes and what I like,ä said Skikne. ãItâs definitely an interesting mix.ä

ãEither Josh will come up with the music, or I will, or weâll both come up with the music,ä Skikne said.

ãWeâll work on the structure together and then Ernie will come up with the drum beat, and Josh will write the lyrics.ä

Coupled with their energetic live shows and strong songwriting, Red Switch is one of the few local bands that is not to be missed.

ãWe try to play really good music ÷ straight-ahead rock and roll. Basically, you can expect high-energy fun rock and roll music (at the shows),ä the guitarist said.

ãWe try to get people dancing and physically feeling the music.ä

For more information on Red Switch, go to www.redswitchmusic.com.