EAST LIVERPOOL - Back on Nov. 7, 2008, the acoustic rock trio, Acouzma, gave, what was, their last public performance at Scotty's Place.

It seems fitting then that the band is hitting the stage once again after a year's absence performing once again at Scotty's Place. The band will perform Wednesday starting at 10 p.m.

"We'll have a slightly different style," vocalist and rhythm guitar player Brad Edgell said. "I think we're more vocally dynamic and have a bigger show."

Acouzma is made up of Edgell, bassist and vocalist Roger Shroades and lead rhythm guitarist and vocalist Jeff Daugherty.

The band originated in 2001, right after Edgell returned to the area from Columbus and was working as a carpenter. One evening, relaxing after a long week, Edgell ran into Daugherty at a small, friendly get-together. Daugherty brought out his guitar and started entertaining the small group.

It didn't take long for Edgell to find his own instrument and join him. That was the first performance of what would soon become the original Acouzma.

Acouzma has played gigs at personal parties and at just about every venue in the immediate, Tri-State area.

Edgell, a 1993 East Liverpool alum, graduated from a Raleigh, N.C. college with a degree in communication arts, specializing in audio engineering. Daugherty, also an ELHS grad, works in industrial and graphic design, and Shroades has played bass since he was 16 years old at Beaver Local High School and has been a part of a number of different bands along the way.

The trio officially formed in 2005.

For Daugherty, the music of Acouzma is helping people through the tough times, and he said he wants the band to make a difference.

"Eventually, we want to be an influence on the younger generation," Daugherty said. "We want to support the local scene and show that music is still alive."

For some of the people returning to the local area for the holiday, Daugherty said he hopes many will stop by Scotty's Place to have a listen along with a lot of the regulars.

The group will perform several originals Daugherty described as "radio friendly" along with a lot of classics done acoustically but with "raw passion and no effects or voice processors."

Next year, a CD of originals is scheduled for release along with a possible DVD of various live performances.

But Wednesday night, Acouzma will be at Scotty's Place from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Admission is free, and band T-shirts and other memorabilia will be for sale.

Daugherty said band booking information is possible through the group's long time sound technician, Jason Russell. More information is available by contacting Russell at 330-692-6560 or by going to the band's www.myspace. com/acouzma Web site.