The name Tokyo Vertigo might sound random, but that comes as no surprise after talking to the band, a new local favorite made up of five Penn State students.

"We were looking through a rhyming dictionary and 'Tokyo' and 'vertigo' were right next to each other," guitarist Brett Gildersleeve (senior-electrical engineering) said. "None of us could agree on anything, and it was the only thing that we didn't all hate."

Along with Gildersleeve, the band was formed by lead singer John Marsh (senior-journalism), guitarist Ronnie Stroud (junior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management), bassist Mohan Kottapally (senior-premedicine) and drummer Phil Riegel (junior-civil engineering).

Tokyo Vertigo, which started spontaneously in September and played its first show less than three weeks later, has been compared to bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Incubus for its eclectic style.

With influences ranging from Rage Against the Machine to Our Lady Peace and The Who, it's easy to see why.

"We all listen to different genres, so we blend it all in," Kottapally said. "They can start out jazzy and go to hard rock."

Gildersleeve said this is especially visible in the band's original songs.

"When you listen to one of our original songs, you hear three or four different genres," Gildersleeve said. "There is something for everyone at every show."

The band likes to mix things up further by doing three-part vocal harmonies, with Kottapally hitting the Michael Jackson-style notes and by swapping instruments randomly throughout the set.

"We're all pretty skilled on other instruments, so during the show everyone changes at least once," Gildersleeve said. "It makes for an interesting dynamic."

The band plays at various fraternities, as well as Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., and a weekly set on Wednesdays at The Brewery, 223 E. Beaver Ave.

"We try to be crazy at shows," Riegel said. "We go nuts. The stage at The Brewery is practically caving in."

To keep the set fresh for the regulars, the band likes to have theme nights, with costumes ranging from business suits to superhero outfits.

The band also has fun with cover songs, as seen in its transformation of Green Day's "American Idiot" into a jazzy, lounge-type melody.

"The covers are definitely 'originalized,' " Gildersleeve said. "We've left our mark on them."

Kottapally said the band plays Britney Spears' "Toxic" especially well.

"I hit her high note and do the serpentine dance," he said.

Though the band has fun with its cover songs, it currently has seven original songs and five more in the works.

"Kids are starting to learn the words to our song, and it's really cool to see them singing along to what I wrote," Marsh said. "The fan base is pretty sweet."

With majors like premedicine and civil engineering, members of Tokyo Vertigo often have to make sacrifices for the good of the band.

"We have a pretty crazy schedule," Riegel said. "We'll play a show until 3 a.m. and have class at nine."

"I have 19 credits this semester and a part-time job, and we play at least once a week if not two or three times, not to mention practicing or recording," Marsh said. "Recording eats up huge eight hour chunks at a time. It really takes a lot out of you."

Marsh said the band is currently recording a seven-track EP to be used as promotional material to get future gigs.

"After the EP is done we will work on a lot more original songs so that we can make a full CD," Kottapally said.

And with three members graduating in the spring, the band is unsure of further plans.

"We will have an album done," Riegel said. "We will see what happens."

Kottapally said he'd be willing to but the future on hold to succeed in music.

"If someone big knocks on the door, medical school could wait," Kottapally said. "I could always be the band medic."