We're with the band: Three rockin' bands to keep an eye on in Cape Girardeau

It seems you can't toss a stick in downtown Cape Girardeau without hitting a musician of some kind. Between the artsy orbit of the River Campus and the weekly open-mic scene, bands sprout up all over the place. Some burn hot and fizzle, but others have been able to stand the test of time and make a name for themselves about town and beyond. Regardless of what you prefer to scoot your boots to, there are a few bands that solidly represent their genres.

COUNTRY

Members of Evan Webb and the Rural Route Ramblers from left, Adam Hellman, Derrick Rucker, Justin "Boz" Boswell, Evan Webb and Tim Morrison, take a break from their practice in McClure, Illinois. (Photo by Laura Simon, lsimon@semissourian.com)

Evan Webb and the Rural Route Ramblers' squeaky-clean country twang definitely sounds like it could be on the radio, but in a way, it might sound out of place there, too. That is to say, it would stand in contrast to the hollow, auto-tuned cookie-cutter country songs that country purists have come to lament.

"We're trying to save country music in Cape," rhythm guitarist Adam Hellman likes to say.

They're part of a movement within country music that's less concerned with empty redneck posturing and more concerned with earnestly and expression.

The Tone Def All-Stars practice, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Webb's got the pipes -- not to mention the charm -- to take the lead, while Hellman and lead guitarist Derrick Rucker trade rock-solid guitar work.

All the while, the unshakably tight Justin "Boz" Bozwell and Tim Morrison on bass and drums, respectively, hold everything in place.

For fans of: Dwight Yoakam, Vince Gill, Jason Isbell

Catch them at: The Rude Dog Pub in Cape Girardeau on Oct. 31

BLUES

On his last album, "Good Days a-Comin," Ivas John went back to his roots, opting for acoustic arrangements and simple vintage blues songs, many cowritten with his father. But this latest love letter to the roots of the genre is merely an expansion. He's got no plans to hang up the electric guitar any time soon.

"Maybe it's because I'm getting old and more simplified," he jokes. "But you can just pick it up. You don't have to plug it in or fool with pedals. I like being able to just lean over and pick it up and play."

For fans of: B.B. King, JJ Cale, Fenton Robinson

Catch him at: The Library in downtown Cape Girardeau every other Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m.

ROCK

The Tone Def All-Stars practice in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Headline Bold:The Tone Def All-Stars practice in Cape Girardeau.

If you're in the mood for some salty humor -- and perhaps a few adult beverages -- the Tone Def All-Stars have got what you need. The 15-year veterans of the Cape Girardeau music scene have made a name for themselves by putting on consistently raucous and fast-and-loose shows. They have no qualms about mashing songs together for comedic effect or adding some funk where it ought not usually be.

But don't be fooled -- individually and as a unit, they're musically sound, even despite their antics.

"It's a good time if you don't take yourself too seriously," bassist Pat Koetting explains.

For fans of: Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adult Swim

Catch them at: Schedule will be posted as available on the band's Facebook page

Evan Webb and the Rural Route Ramblers rehearse, Sunday, April 26, 2015, in McClure, Illinois. (Laura Simon)