"For most people I think the reason that they're involved in hardcore, or in any independent music community, is that they have a genuine emotional connection to what they're listening to," says John Twentyfive, bassist for Rochester-based melodic hardcore band How We Are. "It's not just background music."

And How We Are, which is set to play its last show this Saturday, has been anything but background music in its two and half years of performing.

"We haven't ever done any big tours, but we've gone out, we've made friends," says John Twentyfive. "I don't think any of us have any regrets."

The five-piece, which also features singer Rory VanGrol, guitarists Michael Sarnowski and Adam Vernick, and drummer Tommy Vollmer, has thrived in Rochester's hardcore scene, a community that's connected with similar independent communities across the country. But it's seldom in the papers or on the radio. Bonds made at shows and through touring stay connected through MySpace or message boards like Rochesterhardcore.com.

"It's a tough thing we constantly think about: where and how do you let people find out about shows? One thing is flyering, but if those kids aren't interested then they're not going to avidly look into it," says VanGrol. "If your friends are playing a show, you're more apt to go. When you get to the basic ideas of the DIY aspect of hardcore and punk it is definitely more of a community-based music."

On Rochesterhardcore.com How We Are's break-up threads highlight the emotional connection many of its friends, fans, and fellow bands have to the band's music.

"A year and a half after we got together, our friend Chuck got some of our song lyrics and our initials tattooed on his ankle," say Twentyfive. "I never thought I would be in a band that would influence even one person to do something like that... I've had conversations with him, and he's been really like, ‘You guys can't break up.' I don't want to brush it off, because I know how important it is, but I don't know how to respond to people saying things like that."

But at least the band is break-up is on good terms.

"It's kind of cool the way this band is breaking up too," comments guitarist Vernick. "Because it's not like we hate each other or had a big fight --- we're all just moving on to different parts of our lives."

Specifically, Sarnowski is heading to graduate school at Vanderbilt; VanGrol is heading to Providence, Rhode Island; Vernick is student teaching full-time; Twentyfive is considering a move to Syracuse; and Vollmer will attend University of Buffalo starting this fall.

Though several band members consider themselves straightedge and/or vegan --- subcultures that tend to resonate with hardcore music --- the band's lyrics paint a more complex picture, and its members point out that there's a lot more to both their music and life. What comes through in the band's lyrics is a sense of honesty and inclusiveness.

"What I get excited about the most is the sing-alongs," says Vernick. "That's what first attracted me to hardcore. I really like that everyone can get involved."

Though the band takes its name from a song by '90s punk band Lifetime (which recently reunited to mixed reviews), it's more about the message of the song itself than anything else. Twentyfive lists closer possible reference points as Bane, Modern Life is War, Verse, or Have Heart. "Stuff that's fast but melodic, not just straight-forward hardcore, a little more modern and epic sounding," he says.

Members of the band have come from former Rochester hardcore groups like Standfast, The Disaster, The Avram, and The Breaking Project, all with final shows of their own. They're prepared to make this last show an event.

"When Rory's old band Standfast played its last show at St. Joes, the show was great," says Twentyfive. "But if you were more than five people back you couldn't see anything. So we're looking for maximum output, more stage dives (laughs)."

"I think ending with all of us being excited about the band, and excited about what we created, that's the best thing we could do," VanGrol says.

The A/V Space, though not the only place to put on hardcore shows locally, is one venue that has been particularly receptive to the genre's unique demands.

"It actually works out great [at the A/V Space] because they're going to be between art shows so nothing will get broken," Twentyfive says. "I highly doubt people are just going to stand around."

How We Are plays its final show Saturday, June 23, with Black SS, Another Breath, From the Ground Up, Slingshot Dakota, and About to Snap at A/V Space, 8 Public Market, $8, doors at 6 p.m. For more info go to www.myspace.com/howweare or www.avspace.org.