RED X  

RED X is fronted by Rob Welch on guitars and vocals, Tony Mullins on percussion - vocals and Mike Pronobis on bass - vocals.  For two years now these boys have been dishing out tight 3 part harmonies in the valleys hippest venues.

             Rob has electric fingers, plays lightning quick and boasts “I know 30 seconds of every song ever written.”  If his slick playing wasn’t enough; Welch displays a wide range of sophisticated vocal talent as well.  Mike Bass is melodic and polyrhythmic.  Tony’s backbeats are graceful, unhurried and unconfined his vocals powerful, and rich with harmonies, melodies and form. I caught up with the boys after last weeks show to talk about lust, work, and play.

             “You cats look excited” I blurted.   “I love this rock and roll thing . . . the best high energy cover band in this damn valley . . . present company excluded of course.” “Of course” I winked.  “Dan you know we rock hits from yesterday to today” Welch adds.   I laugh. “So things are going well then?”  “Oh hell yes . . . we’re gigging pretty steady and having fun . . . that’s what it’s about” Mullins interjects.

             “Its pretty standard I ask about your influences yes?”  We laugh and sip on our cool Coors 16oz.  “Listen man . . . our influences are as eclectic as our sound . . . we are influenced by the people, sights, and sound of those around us . . . then we bring it on stage with us . . . actually we are more of a tongue in cheek band . . . we like to have a good time regardless . . . of course we’re professional but at our core we are just three guys playing rock and roll for the masses” Mike confesses.

             “So then, how have the masses changed over the past few years?”  “Good question . . . it seems we have a different type of fan base theses days . . . more reserved and conservative with regard to the partying . . . we stay focused mind you . . . and together work to put all our energy into giving our fan base the best possible show we can and . . . either they dig it or they don’t,” the group nods in agreement.  “I think the event for the audience is as important as the music that is being performed on stage . . . the show is much broader than the musicians standing on stage because people come to a RED X show to meet each other again.’ ‘They’ve seen each other at past shows and there’s a particular kinship with the people and with us . . . I’ve always said I try to project what I’d want to see from another band” Mike offers.

             “So it’s a fluid relationship between you and the audience?”  “Yeah but the fluidity takes work.  I wonder sometimes if people understand how fulfilling it is to hear a live band play instead of hopping on YouTube or downloading a song on your IPhone . . . arguably sensory overload . . . with us you get an environment that’s created between the band and the audience which provides some sort of emotional venue in which magic happens . . . you just can’t download that feeling from LimeWire or ITunes.” Tony laughs and we all drink a little more.

             Music, I think, provides some sort of self reflective aspect for everybody.  And once you get lost in music, lost in dance, lost in rhythm and you’re moving, I think that’s a very healing place to be in.  One good measure of good music is precisely its presence, its ability to stop time, to make us feel we are living within a moment, with no memory or anxiety about what has come before or after. RED X understands this.  They visualize the performance; how it relates to you the audience, and they share with us the ritual we call ROCK N ROLL!

by Dan Wood, contributor for the Medford Mail Tribune Oct 21st 2009