The new semester brings new beginnings, and this Thursday the Senator Theatre is kicking the year off by being the last stop on Armor for Sleep's nationwide tour.
Stopping at the Senator Theatre with headliner Saosin, and again in April with Saves the Day and a slew of others for the Bamboozle Roadshow has garnered the oddly-named band a Chico buzz.
"Armor for Sleep is a band name I knew was going to be something that was going to be with us our whole careers," said lead singer Ben Jorgensen. "I wanted to choose something ambiguous."
The band's name was picked with the hope ofchoosing something as open-ended as possible and with multiple interpretations, which is also how Jorgenson describes the band's sound.
"Over the years we've experimented with different sounds, and I don't think we've gotten stuck to one formula," he said. "We just like to play melodic songs that we think are cool and interesting to listen to."
Jorgensen began sharing his music in high school, originally as a drummer, but toward the end of school he picked up guitar, he said. Hoping to drop out of college and go on tour after graduation, he left his original band and joined forces with a new group of friends - Armor for Sleep was born.
Hailing from the New Jersey suburbs, Armor for Sleep first came to California in 2002 to record their debut album "Dream to Make Believe." Since then, the band's unusual style and passionate lyrics have helped it to gain a nationwide following.
And part of what sets Armor for Sleep apart from other bands is the band members know they have their own sound, Jorgensen said.
"Lyrically I try to think as deep into my subconscious as possible and try to write things that resonate with my soul," Jorgensen said.
This distinct style can be seen with Armor's second CD, "What to Do When You Are Dead," a concept album with each song telling a part of a larger story that spans the length of the album, he said. As the tale unfolds, a man attempts to take his own life but soon realizes it was a mistake and becomes trapped in purgatory.
Jorgenson relates his inspiration for the album to the experience of being on tour, he said.
When a band goes on tour sometimes it gets so busy it seems like death, he said. But as soon as the rhythm of a normal life begins again, it seems like resurrection.
The album was a challenge to complete, but the newest CD has required far more of the band's time and attention, Jorgensen said. The band wrote close to 40 songs originally, and choosing which songs were good enough to make the cut and had meaningful lyrics was a difficult process.
"I think that if there is a message to our music it would be self-awareness and being introspective," he said. "And I think in a world where so many bands are taking the fast lane to success, I've always tried to make songs that make people think a little more."
Armor for Sleep will be promoting its latest album "Smile for Them" throughout the tour. Opening for the two groups are up-and-coming bands Fear Before the March of Flames and Meriwether.
If fans can't make it to this performance, they are in luck because Armor for Sleep will be back in Chico on April 2 for another show at the Senator with Saves the Day, Set Your Goals, Metro Station and A Cursive Memory.
But even with back-to-back American tours lined up, Jorgensen has never let the fame get to his head.
"Fame has never even been a partial drive to make our music," he said. "We just always wanted to challenge ourselves and make something cool."
Everett Meyers can be reached at emeyers@theorion.com
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