How many bands are known to perform just for the love of music and not for money? How many bands are not concerned about releasing albums just because they simply want to jam together for fun?

Meet The Verge, a band from the Mattoon/Charleston area who enjoy music and are not interested in being famous.

The Verge is comprised of bass guitarist and harmonica player Jim McBride, guitarist Jerry Micol and drummer Ryan Hall. All three of the guys contribute to the vocals.

The Verge has been performing music together for about the last three years.

Ryan Hall is a more recent addition to the band, as he just joined the band last year.

“I was playing with another band in Arcola. The bass guitarist (from the Verge) came up to me and asked if I’d like to join,” said Hall.

Ever since then, Hall has been adding his drumming talents to the band’s rock sound.

The Verge performs covers from bands that range from the 1960’s to today. They do covers of songs from the modern bands Three Doors Down, Seven Mary Three and Creed.

They also like to do songs from older musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Joe Walsh, ZZ Top, Led Zepplin and Billy Idol.

“We are from three different age groups. We all are of different rock influences,” said Jerry Micol.

When asked the ages of him and his band mates, Micol laughed and said, “That’s confidential.”

The Verge limit their touring to performing at local venues and are content with doing what they are now. The band has not released any albums and they don’t plan on it.

“We are just out there to have fun,” said Hall.

If catching this fun-loving band in concert sounds like something to do, The Verge will be playing at the Uptowner Saturday at 11 a.m.

The Verge will also perform at the Coles County Airport Sunday. The Sunday show begins at 11:30 a.m.

They will be performing along with local bands the Radio Kings, fortyminusone, Doctor Woo, Eleven Days and Pop Rocks to raise money for families of the victims of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.