About UVR

The average lifespan of a local rock band is about four years. They’ll perform at The Blackwater Cafe, release one or two albums, then break up when their members go to college or start families.

But while other bands have come and gone, Tracy’s UVR has continued to build an impressive, long-term career. Over the past 11 years the pop rockers repeatedly have toured the U.S., Europe and Japan, signed with a label in Belgium, recorded a music video with a French rap group that’s been played on MTV France and sold thousands of CDs.

UVR has stayed grounded despite its success and longevity. Drummer Justin Rio, 26, said the band looks at every new tour or CD as a reason to keep playing, not a step toward national stardom.

“Every now and again we get a bone thrown to us,” he said, adding that his philosophy is “take what you can get, and have a good time. You don’t know what’s going to happen (in the future).”

Rio noted that UVR has found it easier to build an audience in Europe than in the U.S. On the band’s first trip it played in subway stations; now it sells out 300- to 400-seat clubs.

Fans come for the band’s infectious sound. Melodic guitars and vocal harmonies combine to create catchy rock-pop on songs like “Dying for Today” and “Rich Girl,” from 2003’s “Blood on the Satellite.”

Rio said UVR bonds through a love of pop harmonies played by groups like The Beatles and the Beach Boys. He formed UVR in 1996 with singer Chris Powell while both were students at West High School in Tracy. The band also includes guitarist Joel Rydman and bassist Jeff Rydman.

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