Ahimsa Theory learns rules of the road.

Byline: Carolyn Lamberson The Register-Guard

When you're a young band on tour for the first time, it's important to keep a sense of humor.

For the members of the Eugene- and Salem-based Ahimsa Theory, it's been easy. Lifelong friends Warren Baumann and Gabe Bledsoe share an easy rapport. New drummer Dustin Riddle has little trouble keeping up.

That's good, because touring has its share of pitfalls.

Like the time their drummer quit on them, taking his gear and leaving a note. Or when their car broke down and they were stuck in Las Vegas for two weeks.

Or like that time their booking agent scheduled Ahimsa Theory into the French Valley Theater in Murrieta, Calif.

`We're all stoked,' Riddle recalled. "This guy talked this venue up a lot. We go there and it's like the only thing on the street is an elementary school. We're going around the block and we can't find the theater.

`Finally, we call the guy up. `It's easy to find,' he says, `here's the address. It's easy to find.'

`It's the elementary school.'

Playing in an elementary school cafeteria isn't exactly what the three-piece indie rock band had in mind. Performances in more traditional (and well-known) venues such as the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, Chain Reaction in Anaheim and the Grenada in Lawrence, Kan., are more up the band's alley.

As will be today's show at the WOW Hall, where Ahimsa Theory will play its first headlining gig as part of the Reignition local music showcase series.

The band went on tour beginning in June and wrapped things up with a homecoming show Nov. 19 at the Wetlands Brew Pub & Sports Bar. During that time, the band had ample opportunity to crash in the homes of total strangers - and try out some new material.

Fans who haven't caught Ahimsa Theory's act in a while, or who have been listening a lot to the band's self-titled debut album, might be surprised by today's show. The band is sporting an altered sound.

`We like the music we had written before and recorded, but the reaction wasn't quite what we wanted,' Baumann said. "We wanted to see people really get into the music and respond to it and they would, but it's not music people could move to easily.'

How do they describe the music?

"Indie rock," Bledsoe and Baumann agree.

Can they be more specific? When they're in a bar - not Riddle, of course, he's underage - and a woman asks what kind of music they play, how do they respond?

"We stutter," Bledsoe said.

Ah.

Fans may get a better idea later this year, after Ahimsa Theory puts out a new EP. The band plans to travel to California over spring break to record three songs with producer Enoch Jensen, who has worked with the likes of Kaddisfly.

The plan will be to shop the EP to indie and major labels in hopes of a deal, then head back out on the road.

`We wanted to branch out,' Bledsoe said. "We really like the way Enoch produces his records.'

CONCERT PREVIEW

Reignition Vol. 12

With: Ahimsa Theory, Grynch, Forrester's Fall and As Oceans Burn Red

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Where: WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave.

How much: $5 at the door

CAPTION(S):

Ahimsa Theory - (from left) drummer Dustin Riddle, bass player Warren Baumann and singer Gabe Bledsoe - plans to release an EP later this year and shop it around to record companies. Then, it'll be back on the road.