Eddie From Ohio is a band that has always put its live show first.

It is the most important aspect of the band, which formed in 1991, and keeps the members happy with their jobs, says Eddie Hartness, the band’s percussionist.

“We are really happy with what we are doing — playing music,” Hartness says.

Eddie From Ohio has an eclectic sound, with influences ranging from Ani Difranco to the Beatles to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The variety of influences come together, Hartness says, and form an unmistakable folk rock blend.

“Don’t expect Peter, Paul and Mary,” he says. “This is a rock show.”

The band will play at the Maintenance Shop Thursday and the audience should prepare for great music and a good time, Hartness says.

“Expect a couple of old standards, some new ones and a few surprises,” he says.

“We don’t take ourselves too seriously — just expect good music.”

The joy Eddie From Ohio has for playing live music is reflected by the fans, from singing to crowd participation.

“All the people that come to our shows are rabid fans,” Hartness says.

Fan interaction is an integral element of Eddie From Ohio’s live show. One tradition has been christened “The Joe.”

“We have this thing called ‘The Joe.’ During the song, ‘Three Fine Daughters of Farmer Brown,’ the band breaks into an a cappella section,” Hartness says. “During that, the fans pump and wave their hands in the air.”

Traditions such as “The Joe” pump up the band and the audience, Hartness says.

Another major draw of Eddie From Ohio is the band’s songwriting, which has always been one of its strongest aspects, Hartness says. Audiences can expect to hear a smattering of new songs to complement the older material.

Hartness says he and the band are excited about the new tunes.

“The strength of Rob and Mike’s songwriting has grown,” Hartness says.

“There is more maturity in the songs, but we still have our fun ones.”

Even though they are one of the most sought after bands in the music business, the members of Eddie From Ohio have been able to achieve success without a major record deal.

With offers from major record labels, the members of Eddie From Ohio’s business approach is as refreshing as their approach to music: They do things on their own terms.

One of the major contributors to Eddie From Ohio’s independent success is surprisingly something record companies are usually against — file sharing programs such as Napster and Kazaa.

“Napster is fabulous for independent bands because they are able to get their music out,” Hartness says.

By allowing fans to tape each of the band’s shows and place them on file-sharing programs, Eddie From Ohio is able to spread its music to places that would otherwise be impossible.

File-sharing and word of mouth has helped the band gain a passionate and knowledgeable fan base, Hartness says.

Hartness says he acknowledges the setbacks of using word-of-mouth, namely a lack of radio play or advertising, but he feels the good far outweighs the bad. The band does not need to compromise its music or live show.

“Integrity is hard to find these days in the music business,” Hartness says.