On College Avenue, cover bands and R.E.M. disciples blanket each watering hole --numbing patrons while milking the scene.

Gang-Guru is a band ready to change the local formula. Formed in August by lead composer and keyboardist, Jennifer Chesworth (senior-English), the group is one of the few around that plays only originals.

"I don't think we're going to be stepping on anybody's toes by doing what we're doing because were not exclusively set on style," said Lynn Chaplin, Gang-Guru's bassist. "We're not a blues band and we're not a cover band."

Boasting eclectic styles ranging from reggae to mid-70s guitar sounds, the group's music and personality are constantly evolving, Chesworth said.

Not concerned with a definite image, you won't find Gang-Guru flaunting libidos or smashing equipment at their next performance.

"I don't want to limit our music for any superficial meaning, not for commercialism or crowd-pleasing," Chesworth said. "If the crowd likes you, then you'll get jobs."

With any good band, chemistry is important. For Gang-Guru, it's the group's inner hostility that charges them, said Michael Abrams (junior-film), rhythm guitarist and mandolin player.

The band goes through as many emotions as musical genres in one live performance. Feelings felt within the group include: anal, hypnotized, hungry and the need to urinate.

Huddled down deep in a basement, the group practices for upcoming shows under a sole light. Shows include Feb. 22 and March 28 performances at the VFW, 139 N. Barnard St.

Their hours of play consist of practicing old songs and molding new ones. It's forming those new tunes that generates the most excitement from the band members.

"We really love to play and practicing is the highlight of our day," Chaplin said.

With each original, the songs come out differently for Chesworth.

"Some songs I get a bass line first, and other songs I leave Lynn totally cold to make something up," Chesworth said. "Sometimes I'll walk up to a tape recorder and go 'la la la,' or if I have a guitar, I do the progressions -- just little scraps."

The standouts heard through the concrete walls and aluminum siding include "Relax," a funky rave-up and "Indecision," which seems right out of the Beatles' Abbey Road sessions.

Under the cool, kinetic beats, the lyrics deal with some serious issues.

" 'City of Sin' is about a woman who gets raped, and when the police come, they rape her. 'Listen to the Wind' is about the environment and 'Heart of the City' is about child abuse," Chesworth said.

Gang-Guru's future is uncertain, with show dates set and more than 20 originals yet to learn.

"I want to travel and to record and to have as many out-of-body experiences and orgasms as we can," Chesworth said.