A local band with a different sound is here in Madison. The band, Lockwood, while hard to classify their sound, is starting to get heard more and more around campus.

The lead singer of the band, Sam Jackson, put up flyers around campus looking for a drummer and a bassist for the band he was currently in. “That band didn’t work out, so then I got these guys and now we are a band,” says Jackson.

There are five members in the band, each having played or used their talents for many years before the band got together. Matt Spangenberg plays the guitar, Matt Harris the bass guitar, Seth Lochen the drums, and Eric Holbus the piano.

After debating between several names such as the Ex-Girlfriends, the band decided on the name Lockwood. Lockwood is a park in Racine, WI, in Eric and Matt’s hometown, where high school kids used to get together on Friday and Saturday nights. “People used to hang out there and brawl,” says Holbus and Spangenberg.

After getting the entire band together, the group began working on their music in June of last year. Writing the songs together, they relate mostly to the anxiety experienced by being a college student and the future each student faces. Some songs, such as their song “Dope,” have special meaning for the band relating to incidences they’ve experienced while performing.

Having a piano in their band sets them apart from other local bands that have come and gone. Although the piano is usually in the background, it can be heard dominantly in the song “Cracked Walls.” “Matt and I had to work hard to make sure that our instruments sounded good together because it can be hard to coordinate the piano and the guitar,” Holbus said.

What is also different about this band is that while their influences are bands like Pearl Jam or Radiohead their sound is much different. They classify themselves as a cross between the old group Living Color and the newer band Coldplay. The band’s sound is clean, with Jackson’s voice resonating with each note he sings. The instruments flow well together, and the piano adds a nice touch to the serenity of some of their songs.

While two of the members have graduated and some have one or two years left to go before leaving Madison, they hope to stay together for a while, traveling around the nation to different places. “We’re definitely looking to play more college campuses around the state and everything,” says Harris.

“We’re definitely looking to get our stuff out there,” says Spangenberg, “play as many shows as we can.”

Their album, titled Watching Stoplights, contains five of their songs, including “Marlboro Man” or “Almost Whole.” The songs speak of love, loss, and anxiety about the life ahead. Songs that are not on their album can be heard at their website www.lockwoodband.com or www.garageband.com.

The band has played in many places, including the Annex and Union South here in Madison and around Milwaukee.

They perform at Pizzeria Uno’s tonight at 10pm. Tickets are $5 at the door.