Wine and Spirits influenced by rock and roll of the past

The words "wine and spirits" may make some students think of a trip to the local liquor store, but at SRU, these words also relate to a band made up of mostly SRU students.

Wine and Spirits is made up of SRU students Paul Joseph and Derek Ruby, as well as SRU graduate Scott Morrison and Chris Taylor, a student from the University of Pittsburgh.

Vocalist and guitarist, Paul Joseph, a 21-year-old senior history major, said the band started when he and bassist, Derek Ruby, a 21-year-old senior communication major, wanted to get together and form a duo.

"Derek and I were approaching [the idea of a band] as a duo and to make it a Simon and Garfunkel kind of deal," Joseph said.

Eventually they decided they would rather form a full band.

They then recruited Taylor on guitar and Morrison on drums.

"Paul and I were both in the [SRU] marching band drum line and were talking about creating a band," Morrison, 23, said. He graduated from SRU in spring 2008 with a degree in psychology.

"Paul at the time had a duo and was looking to make a band," Morrison said. "So I said I'd play the drums."

Taylor, a 21-year-old senior history major from Pitt, joined the band through his friendship with Ruby, a former Pitt student who transferred to SRU.

All of the members of Wine and Spirits have participated in other musical groups. However, for Taylor, he believes this band shows the most promise.

"I've always been in alternative rock bands," Taylor said. "In this band we have a lot more musical talent than other bands I've been in."

Joseph said that his biggest influence is an old Rock and Roll band that many would be familiar with.

"Through my eyes, we're mostly influenced by the Rolling Stones," Joseph said. He also added that the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Living End from Australia and The Beatles have influenced them.