If you're putting together a band now, you've got to hit the ground running. The same hyper-speed star-maker machine that gets your music to millions of ears and on the right desks is the same machine that'll chew you up in lieu of the next big thing coming up right behind you.

Rochester's new power-pop/rock band Youngbloods is barely one year old. But in its quick shift from solo acoustic act to full-blown band, Youngbloods has a new way-cool CD on deck, a new video just filmed at the White Lady Castle last week, a new booking agent (TKO, which handles Papa Roach and Buckcherry, to name a few), and a fall tour that'll take the band up and down the coast.

The band - made up of guitarists Chris Klumpp and Jake Butler, and bassist Thom Bulman - is fronted by ex-They Sleep They Dream guitarist Joey Arena, who has put down the guitar and picked up the mic. We sat down to discuss the band, and what to do with your hands when you're used to cradling a guitar.

CITY: So first show, no guitar. What'd you do with your hands?

Joey Arena: Played air guitar and tried to hold onto the mic at the same time. A lot of people said they could tell I was still a guitar player.

Where'd this music come from?

It started out just me on the acoustic, messing around. I didn't take it too serious at the time. It was material I'd been sitting on. I just wanted to write it.

They Sleep They Dream was done at this point?

Yeah, They Sleep They Dream was done. I was in The Boy And His Machine in Buffalo at the time - a typical-sounding pop/punk band. It was nothing special to me. They were so cubed in their sound. So I just started writing my own stuff, demoed it with the acoustic. A couple of friends in the industry took a listen to it and motivated me to pursue it on my own.

When did you decide to flesh it out into a full band?

Probably when I got booked for a show that wasn't suitable for an acoustic, and after they put a fire under my ass to get a band together.

Is it easier to find a band to plug into already-written material compared to hashing it out with multiple composers in rehearsal?

It's easier in that sense, but it was also harder because you've got to find people who want to play what you write.

And find those willing to contribute less?

I take opinions, but the band supports me. They must really like the music. They don't complain about it.

Perhaps that's because you write for them, you write to their strengths.

Yeah, but I've also filtered through a lot of people as well. I've had three drummers so far. I already expected to go through members just because of how this band works. It's not so much of a dictatorship...it's just that I have what I'm going for, and that's what it is. If you want to play with me, great.

Did any of TSTD's style or dynamics follow you to this project?

Yeah, I think so. After the first full-length with the band I started writing a lot of material. We were a very open-minded band and that creativity is still there with Youngbloods, but I'd like to think the music sounds more mature in a couple ways. Like the structures, and just more well-written stuff.

Do you still rely on the guitar to write even though you no longer sling it on stage?

Absolutely. I always write the hook on the guitar - or what the vocal melody will be.

So guitar is still there as a ghost. Will you ever put one on again?

Definitely down the road.

Wouldn't that be a step backwards?

No, not at all, because it will fill the music out. I'll still keep the two guitar players and pick up the acoustic to kinda fatten up the music a little bit.

Why is the drum slot so hard to fill?

With the new style of the music, we'll be running samples and a lot of synth-heavy stuff through the house, so the drummer has to play on click. A lot of drummers can't or aren't willing to learn.

Most musicians that have a favorite band can't help but hint at the influence, if not just flat-out pursue it. You're a big Misfits fan but it doesn't show up in Youngblood. Why?

I listen to the Misfits, I love the Misfits, but I don't want to play the Misfits. What I love is the origin of the band, their mindset and originality. They just did what they wanted to do. People won't hear it, but the Evil Elvis thing comes out sometimes in my voice in the studio, but then the producer makes me go back and fix it.

Youngbloods

w/A Scene Unseen

Saturday, September 19

Montage Live Music Hall, 50 Chestnut St.

7 p.m. | $5 | 232-1520

myspace.com/youngbloodsband