The members of Red Wanting Blue are used to change.

They’ve changed their lineup. They’ve changed their music. They’ve even changed the meaning of their band name because lead singer Scott Terry said “it would spoil it to try to explain it as one thing.”

Terry said Red Wanting Blue isn’t interested in writing the same music over and over or being the best college band or the best unsigned band.

“We’re independent music and we’re constantly changing,” Terry said. “We try to be as versatile as possible.”

Terry started the band when he attended Ohio University, and Red Wanting Blue has been going strong since it started touring in 2000. The band have released six independent albums, and its latest one is the Warehouse Sessions – a live disc that was a new experience for the band.

“We’ve always wanted to do something live and intimate,” Terry said. “We weren’t interested in doing something big and pretentious.”

The band recorded the album in a small warehouse (hence the name) with 100 fans. They were only going to sell 50 tickets, but decided to make it 100 after dedicated fans complained. Tickets to the recording sold out in minutes.

“The Warehouse Sessions is sort of a musthave for fans, and I’m really proud of it,” Terry said.

Fans are one thing Red Wanting Blue puts at the top of its priorities because members know fans are even more important for independent bands.

“We have the best fans,” Terry said. “We are a listener supported band and we really have to rely on our fans.”

Guitarist John Kengla said currently the band is focusing on making a name for itself outside the Midwest and the East.

“Right now our fan base is very solid throughout Ohio and in Chicago and New York, and we’re slowly developing in other places,” Kengla said.

Red Wanting Blue Where? Fat Jimmy’s When? Feb 9 at 9 p.m. How much? $8 (under 21), $5 (21+)

Terry agreed, saying one of the band’s goals is to be able to tour wherever they want.

“We’re trying to break into more markets so that anywhere we go, we have somewhere to play,” Terry said.

But Red Wanting Blue isn’t in a hurry to get signed just yet.

“We have reservations about just grabbing a record deal,” Terry said. “It’s not just about fame and fortune.”

Terry has heard of too many bands falling apart after getting a record deal, and he doesn’t want a company to change Red Wanting Blue.

They have been independent since the beginning and admit it is difficult at times.

“It’s hard (being an independent band) sometimes, because you’re trying to play like the big boys but without their wallet, so we have to be more creative,” Terry said.

Still, he said the pros out weigh the cons because “we have the final say.”

As long as they can keep making music, the members of Red Wanting Blue are happy with where they are in their career.

“The idea of creating music is a reward to us,” Terry said. “It’s yours. You made something that people really care about.”

And if the fans are happy, so is Red Wanting Blue.

Contact ALL reporter Brittany Moseley at [email protected].