Perhaps it was fate. Perhaps it was luck. Most likely, it was talent that brought the four members of the Naples, Fla., pop-rock band Super Model together after years of performing in other struggling bands.

The band, now on the way to sure stardom with its college radio hit, "The Drink Song," performs at 9 p.m. Monday at Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave.

"We were all in bands before but it was never quite there," bassist Jeff Clemens said. "But now we've found the right mix with the right people, as cliched as that may be."

And maybe it is a cliché, but it's not stopping Super Model from conquering airwaves, including the State College radio station Revolution, WGMR-FM.

Soon after the formation of the band, Super Model (who underwent a name change from the unpronounceable Gymo) was signed to Miami's Magic City Records and released its first full-length album, It Ain't Pretty, on March 6.

Comprised of Dan Oppman (drums), Eric Bamberg (guitar), Mark Block (vocals/guitars) and Clemens, Super Model now finds itself on the brink of commercial success.

"We were all making pretty decent money at our jobs, but then we decided we wanted to become broke musicians," said Clemens.

"But we wouldn't have done what we did unless we knew it would work. We work hard, we practice a lot and spend a lot of time crafting songs."

With its sound grouped into the self-named category of "slop pop," Super Model's debut album is a true testament to the band's dedication to rock 'n' roll. Fun and upbeat, "The Drink Song" serves as a great first single. The chorus, "I need a drink to calm me down," is perfect for college radio, but it's the punk rock spirit found in songs like "Kamikaze" and "Sex and Drugs and Steven" that will propel Super Model to the top.

"We are a rock 'n' roll band. We're not grunge; we're not alternative. And we like to think there's a market for the kind of music we make," Clemens said. "Rock's not dead yet . . . I hope. What a bummer that would be."

Currently playing a touring schedule that brings it on the road for about three weeks at a time, Super Model typically plays clubs in towns where "The Drink Song" is blasting the airwaves. Come fall, the band hopes to begin national touring.

"It's always exciting to play four or five cities where we've never performed. We love it. Winning over crowds are half the fun," Clemens said. "We go out and play as if our lives depend on it. And it's great seeing the faces in the audience go from 'what you got?' to 'wow, this is really good.' "

Having already shared the stage with bands ranging from Everclear to Counting Crows and the Ramones, Super Model in coming weeks will play with Eve 6 and Live. On Wednesday the group will perform at the legendary New York club CBGB's for a second time. The show is an industry showcase in effort to sell the band to a major label.

"CBGB's is a total dive, a complete hole in the wall but it's a hole in the wall with history," Clemens said. "And knowing who's played there in the past, to stand alongside that is great for the band."

Tickets for Monday's show, which will also include performances by Caroline's Spine and Bliss 66, are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.