Jackson Free Press

Although Carthage-based, country-rock band Trademark formed in 2005, the band decided in 2011 to either get serious about its music or hang it up. Singer Charles Derrick and bassist Griffin Hardy put an ad on Craigslist, and guitarist Lukas Elijah and drummer Chas Henry answered. Soon after, the band locked itself away in the woods of Pine Valley, Miss., and practiced.

Those who saw Trademark perform four years ago might be shocked at the band's transformation.

"We used to be really focused on the lights and the way we dressed more than the music itself. It wasn't until this current line-up got together that we became more musical," Derrick says. "The group has re-identified itself. ... Once Chas and Elijah came on board, we moved into a serious direction and arrived at country-rock."

Trademark still prides itself on its presentation, though. The band's performances are comparable to a large-arena concerts because of the professional level of staging with lighting and sound engineering.

Early this past summer, the band submitted the music video for its first single, "Say It Ain't So," to CMT, but the station rejected it.

"I think that may have something to do with the 'hick-hop' sound of that song. The next single, 'Mud on the Map,' is more definitive of what we do," Derrick says. That video is now featured on CMT.com.

"Hick-hop" is a hybrid of southern rock and rap. "Mud on the Map" is a mixture of rock guitars and tight harmonies with distinct southern vocals. Trademark is definitely not afraid to let you know what part of the country it is from.

The band hopes to have its first full-length album out by the end of the year. "I don't want to give too much away, but the album should be 10 or 11 songs and really defines where we are musically," Derrick says.

Trademark performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 at Beechwood Restaurant & Lounge (4451 E. Clay St., Vicksburg, 601-636-3761), and at 8 p.m. Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 at Pop's Saloon (2636 S. Gallatin St., 601-961-4747). Trademark's single, "Mud on the Maps," is available on iTunes and other online music retailers. Visit trademarkhome.com, and find the band on Facebook.

Check out all of JFP's 2013 Artists to Watch here.