From an ad-hoc performance on a baseball field to meeting the president, Gardens took the long way around to their debut album and performance in Columbus.

Members Matthew Mueller, Jeffrey Thomas, Julian Spradlin and Vincent Mazzola will be starting their tour for their self-titled debut at The Summit on Tuesday.

The band began without guitars and microphones. Thomas explained that they formed in 2007 on a baseball field. On that day, he said somehow everything just fell into place.

“It’s a funny story how we got together,” Thomas said. “We are big baseball fans and we were all out on the diamond playing a game. Somehow guitars were nearby and we took a break and started to play.”

Since that game in 2007, the guys have been recording with Alive Naturalsounds Records and working on their debut album.

The members say they embody the sounds from the ‘60s and ‘70s, but still want to bring a new sound for the hardcore rock fans.

“We like to see what new sounds we can make,” Spradlin said. “That way we can entertain fans and attract new listeners.”

The group travels around the U.S., getting its music out to the people. They have played at numerous community and charity events. Through these experiences, Mueller said he senses the group is making more than just music.

“At these events, we’re helping people,” Mueller said. “We are using our name to raise money for them. Everyone wins.”

Through its travels to promote the music, the band has had several encounters with notable people. However, they all agreed that being stopped by the president’s motorcade in Washington, D.C., was at the top of the list.

“After the show, we were driving and were stopped behind President Obama’s motorcade as he stepped out to get a cup of coffee,” Thomas said. “Of course, we jumped out of our car and went in for a chat. He said he liked our music.”

They went their separate ways, but not without handing over an album to the president.

Thomas is excited to be performing in Columbus near campus. By being close to Ohio State, he hopes that students come out and see what they have to offer.

However, for some students, it isn’t the band as much as it is the rock sound. For Ryan Teng, a third-year in economics, it comes down to the music.

“It’s just not my thing,” Teng said. “Rock music just isn’t my kind of sound.”

Kate Larrimer, a first-year in health sciences, said that going to see Gardens would be a stress relief.

“I’ve never heard their music,” Larrimer said. “I’d go to let off some anxiety from classes. It would be good to socialize.”