Anyone who sees Red Star Memorial for the first time would never know that they have only been around for six months. With slick matching suits, great music and amazing stage presence, they seem like they?ve been together for years.

Since playing their first show at the Capital Garage only a couple of months ago, the band has quickly gained recognition among the Sacramento music scene.

“We?ve only had a few gigs and it?s going really good,” said Bobby Jordan, the band?s vocalist and rhythm guitarist. “It?s pretty cool that promoters are already booking us on the weekends.”

“It?s great that people are coming out to our shows,” he added.

Red Star Memorial is lead by Jordan, with Steve Amaral on lead guitar and back-up vocals, Chris Amaral on drums and Bryce Gonzales on bass.

Chris Amaral attended Sac State a few years back while studying in pre-pharmacy. Steve Amaral plans to return to campus in the spring to pursue his teaching credentials.

Jordan writes the music and lyrics for the band though he said that the final product is a collaborative effort.

“I sit in my room and write songs,” Jordan said. “I bring the songs to the band and we work on them as a whole.”

“All the songs I sing mean a lot to me. They?re all a story about what?s happened to me and I?m playing them on stage?It?s very cool when people come up and say they like the songs,” he said.

Steve Amaral added that their fans also seem to enjoy Jordan?s songs and the band is grateful for their recognition.

“It means a lot to us to know that we?re reaching a lot of people?there?s something that people are able to find in Bobby?s songs that appeal to them,” he said.

The music that Red Star Memorial plays cannot be summed up in one word, according to the band.

“If you wanted a one-word answer it would be Americana but I think we just encompass more than that,” Jordan said. “I write Americana with a very pop edge?we do stuff that just rocks.”

Some of their musical influences include Tom Petty, Neil Young, the Replacements, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, which are noticeable in their songs. At recent shows Red Star Memorial has covered such tunes as Tom Petty’s “Listen to Her Heart”, the Beatles “I’m Down” and Little Richard’s “Good Golly Miss Molly.”