"When we first went to radio stations with our stuff they didn't want anything to do with it. If it wasn't sounding like Korn or Limp Bizkit you were out of luck." Guitarist John McDermott shared his thoughts on how tough it was to get some of Stroke 9's material on the radio.

The band, which initially formed almost a decade ago when the members where in high school in San Rafael, Calif, blends free-flowing guitars with some catchy offbeat lyrics. So it's suprising now to hear how difficult it was to get the band heard in front of a mass audience.

"When the radio put us on it was almost as if they had to go against the grain. But now I think they are happy with the choice," said McDermott.

McDermott is referring to the success Stroke 9 has had with the catchy single "Little Black Backpack." The song is now famous for its surprise tempo changes and cynical lyrics regarding a relationship.

"I think it's great that the song was able to garner some attention. We really had something unique when we recorded the song," McDermott said.

Now, one song does not make a band, so it's good to see that Stroke 9's latest album, Nasty Little Thoughts, is chalk full of songs that give modern rock a good name. The lead track "Letters," which is also the next single, is more straightforward, but equally catchy.

"When we first started on the tour, it was tricky. People were coming to hear `Backpack,' but after awhile we could tell people got their hands on the album and were coming to hear all the songs," McDermott explained.

McDermott also discussed with me the whole process that the band must go through to transform itself to a live band after all the studio work.

"In the studio I used many overdubs for the guitar parts. There is lots of layering and texturing. But when we go on stage we have to turn everything up a little more."

According to McDermott, the crowd at Stepan should expect an aggressive show with a "kick your ass a little more" attitude.

While Stroke 9 has been splitting headline duties with Vertical Horizon lately, the band has enjoyed major success on the West Coast. They have played to sell-out crowds in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. And it looks like the band is catching on fast all over the country.

"We have this nice fan base on the other side of the country, but it's growing fast all over the place now," McDermott said.

As to who he would like to spend his time with on a deserted island — Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera, McDermott replied, "Aguilera! No question about it. I saw one of her shows and she actually sings, no lip-synching like Britney. Plus, she's a lot better looking."

Well, no matter what your preference is on teen queens, you will enjoy what Stroke 9 has in store.

"Our sound is infectious," said McDermott, and it will be sure to please fans of live music.

Stroke 9 is catching on fast and should catch on here as well come March 1. In addition to Nasty Little Thoughts, the band has self-released two albums prior to signing with Cherry/Universal in early '98, and has opened for the likes of Tom Petty, the Wallflowers and the Counting Crows. After a decade of dedication and hard work, Stroke 9 finally looks poised to reap the rewards.

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• For Stroke 9, hard work finally pays off