Still Time to perform at Powerhouse Pub tonight

When San Luis Obispo's Still Time performs at the Powerhouse Pub today, they won't be concerned with sales of their new album, the success of their fledgling record label or their upcoming tour.Once the group takes the stage, Still Time just wants to have a good time.We love playing for people, said guitarist Nick Bilich, 24. We love people coming out, meeting each other and having fun through our music.And for the time being, having fun is the driving force behind the band - just spend a few minutes listening to the music and try not to crack a smile.But having fun doesn't pay the bills. Yet.Sadly, it's more passion-over-paycheck at this point, said Bilich. But over the last couple years, we all made the commitment to see this thing through.It's this passion for music that brought Bilich, singer Dan Curcio, guitarist Chris Arntzen, bassist Paul Smith-Stewart and drummer John Vucinich together back in 2004.They consider themselves a groove rock band. They've played on the same stages as Ziggy Marley, Robert Randolph, Ozomatli and One Republic at venues like the Whisky A Go-Go, King King Hollywood and the Ventura Theatre.The music itself is slick, polished - their 2007 album Stream of Consciousness certainly doesn't sound like an independent release. In fact, the Santa Barbara News Press wrote, this CD reminds the listener why hearing an album straight through should not be a forgotten joy.Still Time channels the energy of Dave Matthews Band in the mid-90s, the Under the Table and Dreaming days. Add a touch of the feel good, summer time sound of Sublime and the carefree, yearning styling of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and it's no surprise they've attained a cult following in San Luis Obispo. In fact, their song High Time has become a staple of radio play in their hometown.Curcio's voice is a cross between a young Dave Matthews and the late Bradley Nowell. He sings with a passion, an earnest hunger. It's a voice that sincerely wants success and promises not to take anything for granted - his howling at the end of their song The Fabulous Life is as convincing as singing can get.We all hear music in different ways, Bilich said. What we kind of found was we all come at music from different angles and we take all these different ideas and mold and create with them.But there's more to Still Time than the music. The band also founded its own label, When It Hits Records.We were talking to a few of the smaller labels down south and things weren't working out, Bilich said. The more we looked into it, the more we say the companies were just trying to make a buck. The emphasis wasn't on the music.For the band, creating their own label just made perfect business and artistic sense. But they know there's still a long way to go.Right now, it's very rudimentary, said Bilich. We're the only artist it supports.However, Bilich said they plan on signing newer, up-and-coming bands and providing the kind of guidance they never had.But at the end of the day, it still goes back to one simple philosophy - have fun.I don't think anybody could have asked for a cooler group of guys to hang out with, Bilich said. We look at the band like we're doing something we love. It helps us keep perspective on everything.Still Time will perform in Folsom 8 p.m. today at the Powerhouse Pub.