With songs playing background for MTV’s Road Rules and The Real World, members of the rock group 19 Wheels are enthusiastic about bringing the band’s uptown class to the Copper Dragon Brewing Company Friday night.

Having previously performed for SIUC students during last summer’s Sunset Concert Series and in Shryock Auditorium, lead vocalist and guitar player Chris Johnston said 19 Wheels is more than ready to return to Southern Illinois.

The college crowd is usually really diverse down there, he said. They’ve either heard of us before, or they are willing to listen to our music and give us a chance to play for them.

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The area audience is not the only thing the members of 19 Wheels are looking forward to when they take the stage Friday.

We checked it out and [the Copper Dragon] seems like a great place to play, Johnston said. Our booking manager picks the places for us, but we are the ones who OK everything.

With a mellow twist of rock-n-roll, 19 Wheels captures the emotion and embraces the tunes of their self-written lyrics.

The band’s return will incorporate the addition of the up and coming star, Chris Mills. Mills, the opening act for the evening will be taking the stage around 10:00 p.m.

Mills said although he has never been to the Copper Dragon, 700 E. Grand Ave., he does have fond memories of previous visits to the Carbondale area.

Carbondale is great, Mills said. It was small, but the crowd there was very appreciative and laid back.

Mills said he enjoys playing for any type of crowd, including college students. But he jokingly admits anyone that walks through the door to a club are his favorite patrons.

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I’ve played for ex-hippies, old-school punk and college students, he said. It’s always a good time to play, but the paying customers are my favorite.

His emotional appeal to rock music sets the theme of honesty, love and desperation.

Mills also said he is uncertain of the effect his music has on college students, but he anticipates they will enjoy his sound if given the chance.

I don’t know if my taste will run exactly with the college campus, Mills said. As long as they are open to it, they should find they enjoy it.

FACTOID:There will be a $3 cover charge. For information, call 549-2319.