Singer/guitarist Chris Salveter has always been a punk-rock kid. "There was nothing to do in the suburbs but wreak havoc or start a band."
Given that choice, Salveter opted for the band. "And I've been in bands ever since I was 13," he said by phone from his hometown of Chicago.
Salveter's current band, Low Skies, has been together for a few years. He and drummer Jason Crepes started it, and after a revolving door of other members, eventually settled on a lineup of musicians who work well together. "I would love to keep this one together for awhile. There's nothing like going on tour with some of your best friends. We are all on the same page and know what we want to sound like."
The band includes keyboardist Luther Rochester, and two brothers, guitarist Jacob Ross and bassist Brandon Ross. "The hard part is being poor," said Salveter. "None of us have day jobs anymore because the band takes us away from that luxury. But it's good for us.
"I never was serious about bands until I formed this one. And I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out."
The band's new album, "I Have Been to Beautiful Place," wasn't going to be an actual album, said Salveter. "We went into the studio with the mind-set of recording a demo. We laid down the songs live on a two-track recorder and left it at that. After a few weeks, we listened to it and realized we liked it. So we left it as it is."
Two-track albums aren't that rare in the music business. Frank Black, also known as Black Francis in the Pixies, and Tom Waits have done two-track albums during their careers. "I look up to those guys, and it's nice to be able to do something like they have done," said Salveter.
Right now, Low Skies is exactly where Salveter wants it to be. "We get along great, and we are all on the same page. We've been together in this particular lineup for about a year. And I would love to continue with it."
As for the future, Salveter said he just wants to write good songs. "I want to write better and not compromise my creativity and integrity. I would like to make a living with this band. And I would like the other band members to be able to make a living, too."
If you go. . .
What: Low Skies
Where: Sugarbeats, 2106 S. 1100 East
When: Monday, 7 p.m.
Web: www.sugarbeats.net
E-mail: scott@desnews.com