For most up-and-coming bands, touring is one of the more important aspects of getting your band established.

With 660 shows during a three-year span it is safe to say that Chicago-based 56 Hope Road is getting their name around.

Formed at Milikin University in 1999, 56 Hope Road is a fusion of funk and acoustic rock that combines to produce a more soulful sound.

They will open for The Fuz at 8 p.m. today at Friends and Company in Charleston.

Curtis Allen, talent manager for Friends and Company, set up the show and said that these two bands had played at Friends before.

“Both bands played three shows here in March and the response from the crowd was very encouraging,” said Allen. ” We (Friend’s) try to have a steady amount of musical acts coming through, so there was no reason to not have these two bands back again.”

“We try to bring a really positive and funky vibe to our shows,” said 56 Hope Road vocalist Dave Hamilton.

By having six members in the band 56 Hope Road is able to blend a lot of different styles into its own music.

Their musical influences range from Bob Marley to Paul Simon and the band’s name actually comes from the street address for Bob Marley’s home in Jamaica.

While a lot of bands in the jam-band scene get lumped into sounding the same with constant improvisation, 56 Hope Road tries to do a few things differently.

“For starters, we have a more jazzy sound with a little more rock and roll setting behind us,” said Dave Hamilton. “We like to write songs with a beginning, middle and an end. We feel a little structure is OK.”

56 Hope Road have released one album titled “Law of Attraction,” which was produced on the band’s own record label Albino Deer records. 56 Hope Road has worked with producers like Steve Albini (Nirvana) and Rick Barnes (Smashing Pumpkins). They explained that the experience to work with these two producers has helped the band understand the kind of sound they are looking for.

“It was great to get to work with both men,” said Dave Hamilton. “Rick Barnes really was absolutely amazing, he showed us some different things to pay attention to when making a record.”

The Fuz will headline the show is looking forward to performing in Charleston again.

“Generally, Charleston has brought good crowds to our shows,” said Brian Adams guitarist/bassist/vocalist for The Fuz.

“We have traded a few shows back and forth. We were able to get 56 Hope Road a show here in Charleston and they were able to get us an upcoming show in Springfield. From there we just hope to keep touring,” Adams added.

Neil Schneider can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].