NEEDTOBREATHE is “one of those bands that just can’t be pissed off,” according to lead vocalist and guitarist Bear Rinehart.

Rinehart explained the band’s pre-concert ritual of playing a game called “Chang” – in which the elected sensei tries to eliminate other members of the band by mimicking their Samurai poses – to keep them loose before taking the stage.

But NEEDTOBREATHE, who will headline a show at the 40 Watt Club tonight, consists of Rinehart’s younger brother, Bo Rinehart (backup guitar and vocals), as well as long time friend Joe Stillwell (drums) and Seth Bolt (bass). The act attributes it’s unique combination of “big, lush, majestic melodies” and hard driven guitars to the wide variety of bands that have shaped their style – from the acoustic sound of Travis to the more edgier sounds of Pearl Jam or Led Zeppelin.

In addition, Rinehart sites Jump, Little Children as a major influence career-wise.

“We’ve probably seen them (play) 15 times,” he said.

“They’re one of those bands that are out in the clubs all the time for the fans, and we try to mimic that.”

Rinehart also accredits NEEDTOBREATHE’s style to its hailing from below the Mason-Dixon line.

“We’re all from the south, and you can’t run away from southern,” he said. “That’s one of the things that definitely comes across in our music and our style.”

The band has been together for only four years but average around 120 shows a year around the southeast while still in college. Two weeks ago, NEEDTOBREATHE released its first major label EP entitled “Daylight,” calling it a very accurate representation of the sound they were trying to capture.

“We wanted to produce something in a different way,” Rinehart said.

“We wanted to make as smart of a record as we could, so we didn’t take up all the space with thrashy guitars or electronic noise – we just wanted to make the record musical.”

NEEDTOBREATHE has developed a following of fans who affectionately call themselves “The Breathers” and have played a pivotal role in the band’s success.

“They have a vision, and they like helping us out,” Rinehart said.

“Thanks to their grassroots efforts, we’ve gotten a lot of exposure.”