The Profits… could describe why many ambitious musicians turn into corporate carbon copies, or it could describe a new acoustic rock band out of Madison that is anything but sell-out.

Taking its influences from bands as diverse as the Beatles, Guns n’ Roses, Guster, and Jurassic 5, the Profits attack the music community with not only ingenuity but also with uncommonly good musicianship. Each member brings his own flavor to the band from former days of playing solo guitar to short-lived high school bands. Their former musical successes and failures, combined with sheer luck to form the Profits (What other band finds a random bass player on the street right as they are looking for one?).

The band is comprised of JP Roney (acoustic guitar, vocals), Mike Drohomyreky (acoustic and electric guitar, vocals), and Scott Lamp (upright bass), along with an occasional guest drummer. They ignore much of their previous formal training and rely mainly on instinct and truly feeling the music. In the process, they’ve created melodies that aren’t chained to a single moment but serve as a patchwork quilt of life, combining years of experience in a 5 song EP.

The EP opens with “Take it down.” The song is slow and soothing yet has an obvious direction and drive behind it. The vocals take a backseat to the instrumentals in this song. Whatever value it lacks in variety, it makes up for in full with its charming simplicity. The lyrics become unique to each listener as he associates it with his own life and customizes it to his own emotions. Likewise, the bridge in this song is amazing with seemingly flawless harmonies. Even the notes, where the harmonics lean towards dissonant, sound perfectly in place. The differences in Roney’s and Drohomyreky’s voices create a truly unique, eclectic sound. One line from the lyrics describes the general theme of the album, “Just take it down and take it slow, lead your inhibitions down to the floor.”

The next song “High Horse” exudes an exceptional flow. The mix of the lyrics, instruments, and vocals proves extremely well-balanced without sounding overdone. “All of the things that your father can buy won’t embrace you, cannot shake you, kiss you and give you goose bumps on your neck like I used to,” croons Roney. He has a well-trained voice, but unlike most matured voices, maintains a level of vulnerability in his sound. It is this vulnerability that the listener falls for immediately. The sound is circulatory yet maintains a level of interest in the listener.

“Sex at six,” the third track, lifts the mood. It is short, catchy, and perfect single material. It takes lyrics that could be considered risqué and transforms them into something girls can swoon over. Even virgins can sing along with this blatantly sexual song although Roney admits that the band considers sex at six an eternal source of inspiration, not only for songwriters, but guys everywhere.

The album hits its stride with “Morning eyes.” Songs such as this suit the band well. It is impressive without being overpowering. Roney’s voice shines in this one. His sound is extremely clear. Instrumentally, it is one of the simplest songs, however; it reaches a new level of maturity lyrically. Where the others seem to be slightly tongue-in-cheek (insert schoolgirl giggle), this really captures actual relationships sexual or not.

The last song makes the listener wish for more. “Cloud 9” combines the easy sinuous sound with greater drive and faster tempo. Drohomyreky’s voice provides a nice contrast to Roney’s softer tone. The staccato sound in the chorus adds interest to the song.

The band is currently wrapping up production on its first 10-song album “Sign of the Dollar.” Some of the tracks are recorded in typical studio fashion while a more authentic digital recorder approach is also used. Their sound is constantly evolving as they each develop into more aware musicians and delve greater into the creative process. The album will be released late June, followed by a fall tour of the Big 10 college campuses. The Profits combine the best of two musical worlds—the raw sound of indie artists and the polished performance of mainstream musicians. For more information about their concert dates, check online at www.theprofits.net.

The Profits wealth can’t be counted in dollars and cents but instead in fans, something they appear to be rich with.