Roanoke band Gasoline Alley rocked the stage for nearly a quarter of a century

Roanoke, VA (WDBJ) – Founding member Doug Settles and guitarist Fred Lewis formed Gasoline Alley in 1999.

But the pair have performed much more than that together.

“We’ve been playing together since 1976. That gives you an idea of ​​how old we are. We’re kind of like old school rock,” Settles said.

While Settles says both musicians make a living playing beach music and disco, that’s not where they want to be.

“I called him up and said, why don’t we just make a band – we just turn up the amp and play old stuff we used to play when we were kids, and we don’t have to worry about how much money we have to make or if people are on the dance floor. We just rock and roll , have fun,” Settles said.

That’s how Gasoline Alley has rocked in the decades since, even though the live music scene has changed in recent years.

“In the 70s and 80s, you know, bands were full of stuff in the semis. You played 20 to 25 shows a month, not four or five like you do now. The club scene isn’t what it used to be than,” Settles said.

While the composition of the five-piece band has undergone some changes over the years — most notably the death of singer Todd St. Clair — its roster has remained largely the same.

“We did a lot of AC/DC stuff, and old school rock like Ozzy Osborne, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith,” Settles said.

During its long run, Gasoline Alley has also brushed shoulders with some legendary acts.

“In 2003, we opened for the Doobie Brothers at Festival in the Park show, which was supposed to be outside Victory Stadium, but because of the rain, they moved it to the Roanoke Civic Center. The place was packed that night. That It was nine or ten thousand people, and it was a great show.

For Settles, performing in front of a large crowd or a small crowd, it’s all about the music.

“We’re not doing it for the money. We’re not doing it for the fame. We’re just doing it to have fun and play the music we love to play,” Settles said.

You can catch Gasoline Alley this Saturday at 10pm Downtown Martin.

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