Chris DeMay, guitarist, harmonica player and vocalist for the band West of Rome, knows what it's like to be a journalist.

"I was a journalist," reminisces DeMay, "The keyboard player Marc (Alberts) and I used to work together and always talked about forming a band that emphasized the things we liked about music: songwritng, good vocals and honest presentation."

In early 1998, DeMay and Alberts were joined by bassist Tom Cox and drummer Andy Beaumont to form West of Rome. Their alt-country sound can be best described as, according to DeMay, "folk songs, but to a rock beat" or with a term once coined by Gram Parsons: "Cosmic Americana."

"Our music is presented honestly without our tongues in our cheeks," DeMay says, "It's about the songs. The song is king."

The lyrics are crafted from the experiences, triumphs and struggles of each member of the band, creating another dimension into an already honest sound.

"The songs are built to say 'Hey, recognize that everyone is human,'" says DeMay, "We all have passions and problems and we try to foster an understanding."

This is not to say that their music is mellow, or will induce sleep with the listener. Those who listen to their recent release, April 2001's "Cranberry Sauce," will be pleasantly surprised by how much the album can rock as well as roll.

In fact, it was former Wilco guitarist Jay Bennett whose attention became focused on the efforts of West of Rome. His producing services can be heard on the band's upcoming album "Drunk Tank Decoy," which will released later this year.

"He's been unbelievably supportive and cooperative," DeMay says, "It is nice having someone we idolize consider us peers."

Under Bennett's guidance, West of Rome's new album will feature a tighter, leaner sound and a deeper honesty in their lyrics that is bound to please their increasing fan base. Adding new fans becomes an increasingly daunting task as garage bands continue their reemergence into the musical landscape.

"The kids are beating down the door to see an alt-country band, but this isn't why I'm doing this," declares DeMay, "I'm not doing it because it's fashionable."

West of Rome can't be pigeonholed as a Milwaukee band either, considering that two of its members live in Chicago. According to DeMay, this cross-city mix makes things interesting and works to their advantage, allowing them to easily book shows all over the Midwest.

Besides, pigeonholing was something West of Rome was never really good at anyways. Honesty, passion and professionalism in their music, on the other hand, are what they do best.