Kirk Avenue Music Hall in Roanoke has become a noted venue for live music in the past couple years. The Kirk Ave. is often the site of Americana, Folk, and Bluegrass acts, but Roanoke will be rockin’ Friday, March 12, as Maryland’s Niki Barr Band rolls into town.

Niki Barr Band is led by its dynamic 26-year-old lead singer Niki Barr, who has by now probably grown weary to past female rockers such as Joan Jett. Unfortunately, the number of women with whom to compare Barr are relatively few. And in an age filled with female pop vocalists being churned out over and over again who all sound the same, Barr’s in-your-face rock and roll is refreshing and nostalgic at the same time.

Make no mistake about it, the Friday show will be atypical for Kirk Avenue in terms of energy and volume. In fact, Barr said in a phone interview that Friday would be “the greatest show to ever hit Roanoke.” She said that with a laugh, and indicated that that she might be joking. But you have to believe that in her heart, she believes it will be the greatest show to ever hit Roanoke.

Barr added that the show was going to be a “party. It will be high-energy, dirty, outrageous rock and roll,” said, who plays guitar, keyboards, and is the lead vocalist.

The band is working on a new album that Barr said would mostly likely be done this summer. For now, though, fans at Kirk Ave. will mostly hear songs from the bands four previously released CDs: The Other Side of Me, Lush, Go, and Bloom.

Joined by bandmates Island Styles on keyboards and guitar, Scot Ensign on Bass, and BJ Kerwin on drums and percussion, the group has been together for about four years.

Barr said the band name “just sort of happened by accident” and adds that the new CD will be released under a new band name. “We’re not 100 percent sure of what the new name will be,” Barr said. “But we’ve been together as a band for a while and the other guys in the group participate in all aspects of the band, including writing the songs. My personality is very driven. But we are truly a band so we want a name that reflects that instead of just having my name being so prominent.”

Barr said that music is the path that she is supposed to be on. She’s been playing shows since she was barely a teenager, starting out with solo acoustic shows. “I was influenced by the singer-songwriters,” Barr said, “and also by some of the female singers of that day such as Sarah McLachlan Sheryl Crow, and Alanis Morissette.”

Once she got the backing of a full band, Barr added a lot more energy and attitude to become a full-blown rocker. She realizes, though, that mainstream radio isn’t beating down the doors to play female rockers.

“There will always be rock fans,” Barr said. “With the Internet, people can find you. We’re really starting to hone in on our audience.”

In it’s short career, the band has toured a lot. “We live very abnormal lives,” Barr said. “I typically wake up around noon or 1 [p.m.]. We’re always traveling to different cities and different countries. As far as significant others or family, it’s challenging. You have to let them know you still care about them, you’re just not going to get to see them very often.”

As for life on the road, “Thank God for online banking,” she said, but added that the touring life has afforded her many opportunities. I’m 26 and almost have my passport filled up,” she said.

The band has been a part of Armed Forces Entertainment tours and Barr has been to 40 countries. “The Armed Forces Tours have really changed my life,” Barr said. “They have really changed my outlook on the military. Those have been some incredible tours.”

Barr also listed some other touring highlights including opening for The Cult, doing a summer festival with Paramour, and a Caribbean tour with the likes of Queensryche, Tesla, and Skid Row.

Niki Barr Band will perform Friday, March 12 at Kirk Avenue Music Hall. Australian rock band City Riots opens the night at 8 p.m. and Niki Barr Band will follow. Tickets are $10 and are available online and at the door.

Tim W. Jackson is Editor of the New River Voice and fondly remembers real rock and roll.