Rotoglow is a band that is deadly serious about its music career, a band successful and mature enough to realistically consider music as a lifestyle, yet experienced enough to know that, unless you're The Strokes, attitude will get you nowhere.

The Fairfax, Va.-based quartet has been churning out genuinely interesting rock for about one year. Lead singer Andrew Hellier characterizes the music as a blend of Incubus' rhythmic stylings and The Who's guitar-driven rock. "A lot of it is guitar riff music, but it's certainly not death metal," assures Hellier. "We try to be real percussive, and try to bring out the dynamics." Both melodic and emotive, Rotoglow's music is first-listen material that is radio-ready, yet artistically credible.

From jazz to chord-oriented rock to the neo-soul movement, Rotoglow is the sum of a variety of influences. Hellier, who has spent studio time with Maya and Salt 'n Pepa, feels that modern R&B in particular has played a large role in his musical choices.

Having already endured the bipolarity of the major-label experience as a member of the now defunct Modern Yesterday, Hellier is fiercely adamant that Rotoglow carves its own path to success. "I think that the industry has gotten so powerful," he says. "The artists have given away everything - their power, their vision."

"We're trying to be a self-contained millionaire rock group," Hellier laughs. "As long as you can find a way to generate capital, you can make your own records and sell your own records. Granted, you might not be up for a Grammy award ... It just comes down to getting out and doing it yourself and not relying on anybody but the four people in the band and the managers that you've chosen. You've got to take risks on yourself. That's important."

Hellier is joined by Conrado Bokoles on bass, Dave Cannon on drums, and John Kenney on guitar. Rotoglow will be releasing a new full-length by the end of the month, available for purchase through the band's Web site, rotoglow.com.

The band has been fine-tuning its live show throughout the East Coast. "We put out as much energy as possible. If somebody's standing still, they better be singing at a microphone," Hellier laughs.