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LANCASTER, Pa. - Yes, the Los Angeles band Hurt plays the kind of edgy, alternative metal that makes you think, while simultaneously making your ears bleed. But the young men behind the sound say they're just a laid-back bunch of guys who like to keep things interesting when they're in the studio or on stage.

"We know how to chill out," said guitarist Paul Spatola during a phone interview. "(Singer J. Loren), who writes most of our music, is really mellow."

In fact, Loren (born J. Loren Wince) was encouraged to listen to gospel music and avoid rock 'n' roll as a child growing up in Virginia. He also studied to be a classical violinist and admires Baroque composer and violin virtuoso Antonio Vivaldi to this very day.

Spatola was raised in a musical home, too, and was even named after Paul McCartney. Sure, he said, he listens to Rob Zombie, but he also likes Tori Amos and Elvis Costello.

And yet, Spatola co-wrote "Ten Ton Brick," in which Loren wails: "After a ten-ton brick was making me sick / breaking my bones with the weight of it / the weight would grow with each new soul / Buried fine lines make big, black holes."

"All of us have different influences and listen to different music," Spatola said. "But we all agree on the music we make. We like it, and hope it makes people feel something.

"When people ask us what genre our music fits into, I just say rock," he said. "You can call it metal or whatever, but to me it's just good rock music. But people interpret the sound their own way, which is just how it is."

The band also benefits from hard-hitting bass player Joshua Ansley, who Spatola knew in high school when he was growing up in New Jersey.

"We were in a band called Social Butterfly," Spatola said. "What happened is, our manager heard Loren play in Virginia. He liked Loren's songs, but not necessarily the band that was backing him.

"So, he brought Loren to L.A.," the self-taught guitarist said. "Then Evan was brought into the picture."

Drummer Evan Johns is the son of acclaimed rock producer Andy Johns, known for his associations with Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Van Halen.

"Then Josh got involved, and I became a member of Hurt too," Spatola said. "And our personalities happened to mesh pretty well."

They released "The Consummation" in 2004 and "Vol. 1" in March of 2006. "Vol. II" was released last month and became No. 101 on the Billboard Top 200.

"The music from 'Vol. II' could have been released when 'Vol. I' came out," Spatola said. "But you know, new bands don't usually release double albums. So we split the material up for two CDs."

The band's music has a sinister, confessional feel to it, often praised by bloggers and fans who write that Hurt's music consoled them during hard times.

"A few people in the forums, who were maybe going through something emotional, said our music helped them a lot. Which is great." Spatola said. "But it's good music, despite how you're feeling at the time you're hearing it. We like to think it's memorable."

Hurt, Evelyn's Ashes, Swelter, Thu., 6 p.m., Chameleon Club, 223 N. Water St., $10 advance, $12 at the door, 299-9684.

E-mail: cdifonzo@lnpnews.com

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