Telecommunication sophomore Jesse Frasure was frustrated back in late 1999 when he was having difficulty finding bandmates who were as focused as him.

Then soon after, he found a flier nursing junior Joe Nelson had put up about starting a band.

“I was pretty desperate for something to do gig-wise,” Frasure said. “We had both been in bands and were tired of all the stress of people not dedicated.”

Their project, aptly titled Joe Nelson and Jesse Frasure, will perform at 9 p.m. today at Harper’s Restaurant & Brewpub, 131 Albert Ave.

Frasure said Nelson’s voice has more of a blues influence while his is pretty mellow.

“We make the shows different every time and have fun fooling around with other songs,” Frasure said. “There’s not much of that around anymore.”

The two have a set list of more than 200 songs from such noted bands as The Doors and Pink Floyd to current rockers like Dave Matthews Band and the Black Crowes.

“We’re usually pretty good with what people want to hear,” Nelson said. “We’ve got a good selection of songs.”

“We do our own spins on songs and squeeze in some originals.”

Although a majority of their material at live shows are cover songs, they are currently recording an album of their original material at Timberlake Studios in East Lansing.

“We’re trying to do about seven tracks,” Frasure said. “We’re hoping for an April finish date and we’re using local musicians so most of it will have a full band on it.”

Nelson said one of the most rewarding things about performing is the crowd’s reaction.

“Whenever you see the smile on someone’s face,” he said. “When we do our own songs and people sing along with our originals it’s cool.”

Nelson and Frasure are also playing at Harper’s on March 27 and April 17. Cover is $3. For mailing list information on the duo, e-mail them at Flobiej@aol.com.