With four rock-solid musicians laying down the beat, and an energetic singer who seems to be all over the place, Gimikk knows how to delight an audience.

“I want our fans to get the most bang for their buck. One of my pet peeves is watching another band take forever in between songs telling corny jokes, pushing (merchandise), and constantly tuning their guitars. That just kills momentum,” says frontman James Brinker.

The Des Moines-based band plays in central Iowa often. They recently opened for Rick Springfield at the Seven Flags Event Center in Clive.

“But we always love, love, love playing Cedar Rapids,” Brinker says. “I even met my girlfriend in Cedar Rapids.”

“We have a great relationship with (the Chrome Horse) and have been playing there since before the flood. My other favorite venues are small-town Iowa gigs,” he says. “You could be playing on a hay rack drinking tall boys of Busch Light, but you’re getting the rock star treatment. They’re typically very genuine folk who make you feel very appreciated. ”

Gimikk is also a staple at bike rallies. They’ve played at the Romper Room rally a couple years in a row, and regularly performed at Hawgstock in Winterset.

This summer they’ve added the IARocFest in Keosauqua to their schedule. “It should be a blast,” Brinker says.

The band members’ personal tastes can be heard in their original music.

“Billy 7 loves Guns n’ Roses, Jimmi loves Yngwie Malmsteen, Cy loves Firehouse, Josh loves Carter Beauford and I love Van Halen. What you hear is the result of those influences being thrown together,” says Brinker. “I’ve always likened our sound to Pantera and Air Supply.”

— Pete Looney

LISTEN UP

• WHO: James Brinker (vocals), Jimmi V (lead guitar), Cy Chan (rhythm guitar), Billy 7 (bass), Josh Tilten (drums)
• WHAT: Hard rock
• WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
• WHERE: Chrome Horse, 1202 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids
• MORE MUSIC: www.gimikk.com and Facebook