What's in a name? For Dramatic Oil Company, everything.

Dramatic Oil Company, or Dramoco for the roll-off-your-tongue variety, is not some rookie act that you've never heard of until now. It's the reincarnated Furious Styles, the cover band that's rocked the State College scene for almost three years.

Things change. Covers get boring; musicians crave growth, and that idea to play original tunes explodes into an optimistic reality.

The biggest change is the name. Like most small-band name changes, it was a legal issue. Six musical acts across the nation shared the Furious Styles moniker, explained drummer Trent Wolfred.

"Someone's lawyer contacted us to let us know," Wolfred said. "It was not a cease and desist, but more of a heads up."

The band's name, Dramatic Oil Company, emerged from a small footnote in history involving John Wilkes Booth and some oil investments, but Dramoco members point out that it lacks political significance: The name simply sounds cool.

"It may not be a name you'll remember, but it's not a name you're going to forget," Wolfred said.

Dramoco is definitely not political in nature, but ask band members what kind of music they play, and while they deliberate extensively, you'll have time to research that historical anecdote for yourself.

Is it rock? Pop? Funk? Keyboardist Aaron Grzasko settled on "pop/rock with certain groove elements," but brushed off the Ben Folds Five comparison the band can't seem to shake in favor of "Ben Kweller with groove."

Returning Penn State students may already be familiar with the band's groove, but the music has also changed. Covers are gone. Dramoco is now writing, performing and recording their own songs, shown by the recent release of their debut original CD Furious Styles, a tribute to the band's former name.

Furious Styles is available for sale at shows, Arboria Records, 119 E. Beaver Ave, City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave., and online at www.cdbaby.com.

"Now's the time to do it," Wolfred said about the treacherous leap from college party band to aspiring professional act. "There are bigger risks to take."

Two of five band members remain Penn State students, while the others recently earned their diplomas.

With graduations all around, it's a time of transition, which Wolfred said provided the underlying inspiration for the band's progression to creating its own music.

"The endorphin rush isn't there as much when you're playing 'Brown Eyed Girl' [as when you play original music]," Grzasko said.

Dramatic Oil Company makes its debut at 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13 at The Brewery, 223 E. Beaver Ave. -- a consistent venue for the band formerly known as Furious Styles.

"People are really into them," said Ray Rockey, manager of The Brewery. "They have real high energy, and the band always has a good time. People respond to that."