Good connections in the music business are not the only thing that the members of the rock’n’roll band Glasgow have going for them. They also have a strong musical background, a growing fan base and the chemistry that can only come from two brothers and their childhood buddies.

Jack and Sam Craft grew up in Algiers with the other band members, Andrew Hart- sock and William Smith. Three years ago, they had the idea to start a rock band.

“Everybody wants to be a rock star,” said Jack, 19, music sophomore and Glasgow’s bass player.

The band members said the decision on who would play which instrument came after their idea to form the band. All four were trained in classical, not rock’n’roll, instruments. The Craft brothers’ father is the manager and trombonist of the New Leviathan Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra, an 18-piece ragtime band. Both boys began playing with the orchestra at 14.

Sam, 18, music performance freshman, writes Glasgow’s lyrics and music. He also sings lead vocals and plays guitar.

“Sam composes the chords and melody,” said Andrew, 18, graphic arts freshman. “Then he brings that into practice, and we all put our own stamp on it.”

Andrew adds his mark on lead guitar.

The only band member who is not a student at Loyola is the drummer William, 17. He is a senior at Brother Martin high school and wants to attend Loyola in the fall.

Glasgow does not do covers. Band members said they take pride in their original work and unique sound. They call their rock fresh and melodic, not angry and screaming.

“Nobody sounds anything like us,” Andrew said.

The band got its chance to showcase its music to Loyola students in the University Programming Board’s Battle of the Bands last year – it came in second to Down in the Park. But Glasgow was the youngest band and drew the largest crowd.

“It just so happened that it was senior skip day at Ben Franklin,” Sam said. “So all of our friends were in Audubon Park and came over to hear us.”

The members of Glasgow are getting used to playing before crowds. Jack says that they have had an average of 75 to 100 people at their recent shows.

Their last performance was Oct. 9 at the Mermaid Lounge with Zoom and Pocketfoxx.

They said they were excited to have a good turn out of Tulane and Loyola students, because their mission right now is to get more recognition. They feel that once someone hears them, they will like them.

“You can’t not like us,” Sam said. “Because whatever type of music you are listening to right now, you will identify in our music.”

Andrew said that besides being a good party band, Glasgow is one of the few rock groups in New Orleans that is doing something original.

Many well-known musicians and well-known bands have heard Glasgow’s work.

“We’ve gotten more attention from bands and people in high places than the press,” Jack said. “A lot of groups have heard our stuff and like us.”

They’ve been contacted by Better than Ezra, Caleb Guillotte, former singer of Deadeye Dick, and Tim Sommer, who has signed groups such as Hootie and the Blowfish.

Band manager Colin Ross heard the four members practicing in the garage one day and knew they had potential.

“He opened the garage door and said he wanted to help us out,” Jack said.

They said they still laugh about the fact that they still drive over to the West Bank to practice at the Crafts’ parents’ home even though they have moved out.

Glasgow will play an 18 and older show with Alexandra Scott Oct. 22 at the Howlin’ Wolf.

The band goes on at 10 p.m. Cover is $8 for those younger than 21, and $6 for anyone 21 and older.

Gigi Alford can be reached at [email protected].