Minneapolis folk rock group American Paint does its best to convince audiences that they’re just the guys next door.

“The four of us are so Midwestern it’s ridiculous,” Bard Meier, lead guitarist and vocalist in the band said. “I mean, when I came up with the name, American Paint, it’s like, I’m ridiculously American and it seemed to fit.”

Getting its start in 1996, the quartet captures the true American spirit of rock ‘n’ roll with its jangling dual guitars, ragged vocals and traditional harmonies.

“It’s rock ‘n’ roll, man,” Meier proclaimed. “We’ve never played country. It may be that [our songs] don’t sound cliche because we don’t know what we’re doing.”

Meier’s straightforward lyrics encompass the emotions associated with lost love, ex-lovers and friends long gone. His words find a common ground with the listener by painting a picture of the many hardships of life.

Meier explained how American Paint got together: “Darren [Harff] and I started playing around when I moved up to Minneapolis form North Dakota.”

The two played gigs with another band for a year and a half and then met drummer Sean Hoffman.

“After we got Sean, we brought David [Schultz] in from North Dakota,” Meier said. Schultz took up the position of bassist and backup vocalist.

With the band complete, the boys wasted little time writing songs and getting down to business.

Scarcely three months old, American Paint began recording what would be its self-titled debut.

Released on No Alternative Records, the entire album was recorded live in two or three takes, with only a few overdubs.

“It took us months to learn to play as well [live] as we did on the record,” Meier said, laughing. “It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. Everything clicked when we went into the studio. Everyone was so comfortable that it was just like, boom! It was all there.”

Meier went on to describe the band’s live show: “Our shows definitely have energy. We have a really good time and have a good show when we’re having fun. It’s rock ‘n’ roll.”

“So far we’ve had great crowd responses and people have liked the record,” he added.

American Paint’s musical influences come from a variety of time periods.

“We all love older type pop,” Meier explained. “Bands like The Beatles, Cheap Trick and The Replacements. And of course, you can never go wrong with Willie Nelson. We would love to one day open for Semisonic, The Jayhawks, Cheap Trick or Fastball.”

American Paint will be bringing its all American style to The Maintenance Shop when it opens for Mary Cutrufello. The show begins at 9 p.m. and costs $3 for students and $4 general admission.

And remember — you can’t go wrong with Willie Nelson.