The members of Sacramento-based band Nice Monster are serious about their music. They are not quite as serious about their “day jobs.”

“I am the vice president of the chinchilla organization,” guitarist Jason Roberts said with a very somber expression on his face.Backup vocalist Heather Phillips joined the conversation.

“I am a concubine,” she said.

The other two members of the band joined in the conversation, adding equally odd comments that fit in with the band’s unique melodies and lyrics.

Nice Monster will be playing a free show at noon today in Serna Plaza, behind the University Union.

Matthew Gerken founded Nice Monster and is a part of two other projects called Be Brave Bold Robot and The Christian Kiefer Band. Phillips plays piano, organ and sings backup vocals; Roberts plays guitar; Greg Aaron is the band’s drummer and Chad Wilson plays bass. The current members of the band have been together for about two years.

Roberts said the band seeks to make its music something other than average.

“We follow the creative form, rather than the fill-in form,” Roberts said. “A typical rock-pop song is based on an existing structure, almost formulaic.”

Gerken elaborated on Roberts’ idea of predictable music and compared it to a predictable movie. “I don’t like to know whether or not the guy gets the girl, and it’s the same with music,” he said.

“Most people like to dance to music that goes ‘boom, chuck, boom, chuck,’ but I can’t stand rhythm cliche,” Gerken said. Every member of the band has different influences and a different style, which make for a unique combination. Matthew Gerken is influenced by jazz and the sounds of the 1950s and 1960s. Aaron is influenced more by the 1940s, as well as 1970s classic rock. Roberts compared their music to Radiohead and the Beatles.

“Writing music is all about combining influences and trying not to sound identical to other bands,” Gerken said. Gerken described the band’s music with the words “controlled chaos.” He explained that the band’s music is similar to its name. “It may be silly-sounding, but it is meant to suggest an exercise of contrast,” he said. “Much like having pretty song melodies and a lot of noise.”

Aaron has been playing the drums for about 25 years.

“When I first heard the music, it was really challenging for me,” Aaron said. “My approach is to play less than more – try not to overplay or underplay.”

Phillips took a similar view on the band’s music. “We all try to complement the music whenever we can, and surprise the audience at the same time,” she said.

Places like Old Ironsides, the Blue Lamp, Luna’s Cafe and the Crest Theatre – all of which are located in Midtown – are just a few places that Nice Monster has performed. Gerken would like to expand the band’s audience by touring in Northern California, but the five members of the band prefer not to travel on a tour bus. “We are attracted to Grayscale (Records) because they don’t make us tour,” Gerken said. “I am kind of a homebody.”

Phillips said she hopes to surprise a lot of students during their performance.

“People should come see us if they want to hear something new or something they haven’t heard a million times before,” she said. Camilla Aceves can be reached at [email protected]