Brian Mullins and Chris Tapp never imagined they would go on tour when they began writing songs and jamming in their garages.

“We got this band started as an accident,” Mullins said.

The Cold Stares formed in 2008 when Tapp, a guitarist and vocalist, and Brian Mullins, a drummer, decided to play some rock ‘n’ roll.

Mullins’s view on drumming changed since he began playing drums in his high school band at 16.

“When I was younger I was more fascinated with how fast can I play, or how many drums can I set up, or how cool can I look,” Mullins said. “I don’t care about any of that now. I care about supporting the song and the best way to make a connection with someone else.”

The two-man band is a blues-influenced, rock n’ roll band with a modern twist. The band’s inspiration comes from bands such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, while adding a unique story telling element to their sound.

“Chris (Tapp) writes great songs lyrically and they’re almost like stories,” Mullins said.

The band’s name came after they played a few shows under a different title. At the start of their shows, the crowd would stare in disbelief, Mullins said, as if thinking ‘What was that?’ That’s when both musicians knew they were onto something.

The band recently played a two-week tour with Riot Fest, which Mullins said is one of his fondest memories.

“That was surreal,” he said. “Being out there, playing every night. It was great to play after a show like that, you start to become musically tight. There’s almost this telepathy that goes on. You just start getting good at your craft and its really rewarding and a lot of fun”

The band has even recorded at the East West Studio in Los Angeles, where legends such as The Who, The Rolling Stones and Frank Sinatra have recorded.

Mullins said a bands’ success comes from being genuine.

“I don’t think either one of us could step on the stage and do something we didn’t believe in. This is our personality injected into the music.” Mullins said. “I couldn’t fake it. It’d be so tiring. You can be a chameleon, but this is who we are.”

The Cold Stares is scheduled play an acoustic benefit show called Corhole for Abigail at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Back Stage Bar & Grill downtown. Abigail, Mullins’s niece, has Mitochondria Disease, which changes the way energy is processed in the body’s cell and is incurable. Cornhole for Abigail is an annual benefit for all ages that raises funds for The United Mitochondria Disease Foundation. The event will include a sports memorabilia auction and all day entertainment.

“If you can help someone by playing music, how easy is that?” Mullins said. “You may think were a loud rock n’ roll band, but we also can unplug it and be intimate. It’ll be a good time.”

The band is also scheduled to play a Halloween masquerade Oct. 31, at Mojo’s Bar and Grill.

“It’s going to be a party. We did the grand opening three years ago,” Mullins said. “There will be a great crowd, great costumes and it’s going to be a great night.”

Mullins said for those who want to start a band and play local shows around Evansville should do so if they love it.

“I find it incredibly rewarding, but it is incredibly difficult,” Mullins said. “If you hear the call, you’ve got to answer it. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey that you’re in it for. I don’t need anything else.”