Frame of Mind reloads for Rojo's gig

They're back ... and they have reinforcements.

Frame of Mind may be based in Reno these days, but their hearts are still in Tahoe, and they return to their roots here as often as possible. Having bounced around from the beaches of Southern California to the mountains of Colorado and central Idaho, they know a good thing when they see it.

The freestyle rock band will play at Rojo's on Friday at 9 p.m. The cover charge is $5.

But this is a slightly different Frame of Mind than you might be used to. They have two new members -- Ben "Sy" Bodine on drum kit and Cody Lee Adoms on percussion.

"Yes, we have changed drummers again," band publicist Nick Catanella said. "Fletch wasn't able to stay with us for the wild ride this summer. Sy fits the part; not only an amazing drummer but a smart and sober guy. Sy was also the former drummer for Organic Flood out of Nevada City, and also handled their business work, so we have seen that he does a good job all around."

Adoms is a veteran of the Reno music scene, whjere he still lives.

Born six years ago in Southern California, Frame of Mind immediately hit the road and stayed there for 2 1/2 years.

"We played the Western states, basically living out of a Suburban van," Scott said. "Then we landed in Idaho and lived there for about three years, but continuing to tour. We recorded three albums during that time."

Then the band took flight once again, alighting in Tahoe this past October.

"We found a nice economical place to live in the midst of a great music scene," Scott said. "So we made this our base. I lived in Tahoe in my high school years (Scott's an Incline High graduate) and have fond memories. Plus this is where I started snowboarding."

Both Obie Scott and his brother were professional snowboarders in the early- to mid-1990s, until they decided that music might be a safer way to make a living.

"We began seeing a lot of broken bones and other injuries, and decided that you can't snowboard forever," Obie said. "So my brother and I both picked up guitars."

They've built quite a name for themselves in a short period. Frame of Mind has played more than 250 shows a year for the past five years, building a reputation as one of the must-see traveling rock bands. They fuse a variety of styles, including funk, rock, reggae, Latin, fusion, psychedelic and blues.

"We kind of run the gamut, but we put our own spin on it," Scott said. "We draw from a lot of influences, but we have our own style. Call it energetic. You'll want to dance, but it's more than that."

Frame of Mind has shared the stage with Galactic at Caesar's Showroom (now MontBleu) at the South Shore, and has also opened for Widespread Panic. They've played with Soulive, Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons, New Monsoon, Young Dubliner's and Delta Nove & the North Mississippi All-Stars. JamBase's Best of 2006 listed Frame of Mind as the No. 5 Road Warriors band with the most shows.

Their latest album, "Catch It Try," was released in March 2006, and is available at www.FrameofMindLive.com, www.CDBaby.com., and at iTunes.com. They are working on a new album that should be out by the first of the year.