Into the Grüvis The Malt gets it backwards with the release of Simon BY BOB GULLA

Normally, a rock band’s natural process involves rehearsing, recording, releasing a record, then touring it in hopes that your live show might sell a few copies of the disc you spent so much of your time and energy recording. Not so for Grüvis Malt. They prefer to, well, do things on their own rather peculiar way. In fact, "backwards" might be the right term for it.

"From the beginning we’ve done things backwards," says the band’s Gavin Castleton. "We toured for years, then recorded, toured then recorded, and we’ve been trying to catch up ever since." Now, when Grüvis goes on tour, they rarely play a song from the album they’ve just recorded. "We don’t play requests. We play what’s fresh for us, not what we just played for months in the studio. We’re selfish that way."

OK, so that makes a lot of sense. Why play a song you’re sick to death of for a crowd when you can play a song you’re excited about to people who are excited to hear it. On the other hand, playing music that’s on the disc just waiting to be sold at your merch table later that night makes some sense, too.

But Grüvis Malt has, through the years, pretty much stopped making sense. That, it seems, is the fun of being in the band. When they get home from months of touring, they write new stuff. That’s when they make a new record. Again, it’s backwards, but it gives the band a chance to revitalize. Of course, when it’s time to go on tour again, they’re already sick of the songs they just put on the record. It’s akin to Short Attention Span Theater, only with music.

"When we get home," says Castleton, "we’re really frustrated having played the same songs over and over, then we have this breakdown period and then we start writing, two or three songs at a time. We always swear that we’re going to go into the studio before a tour, but that never happens."

To say that Grüvis is restless creatively would be a drastic understatement. Lately, the band members have been busy as a collective and individually. First, there’s the new Grüvis record, Simon, whose release will be celebrated this weekend at the Green Room. "It’s the pinnacle of our career so far," says Castleton. "It’s an extensive album, and it sounds better than anything we’ve ever done." Recorded at Sound Station 7 — the last album created there before the facility closed down — Simon has a small production mentality but lots of intricate arranging. "We didn’t want to tack on loads of vocal harmonies, tons of guitars, and stuff. It’s an extreme left turn, but in a good way."

In addition to the new album, Grüvis members have an array of solo projects to tout. Castleton himself will open the show with a mesmerizing solo act that finds him on computer and keyboard. Next, there’s a combo featuring Castleton, singer Brendan, and guitarist Steve, all taking part in what Castleton describes as "a power trio thing between Nintendo music, Mars Volta, and Queens of the Stone Age." That band, so far unnamed, is writing now, and will be featured on the Warped Tour’s small stage in August.

Brendan is also doing a solo album, which is guitar-based with synth, while Steve is working on a solo instrumental guitar record in the manner of cartoon composer Carl Stallings, only more modern. "These projects are all designed to fill in the gaps with material Grüvis isn’t comfortable doing. But we don’t want to divide our fanbase. It’s like A Perfect Circle. Does it divide Tool’s fanbase or increase it?"

In the end, it’s a matter of a talented band doing what makes it happy creatively. "We were frustrated for a long time; everybody was in therapy mode. We decided we just wanted to do what makes us happy and hopefully that will feed the fans’ happiness, too. We’re not gonna make any concessions to guarantee their happiness, but we really hope it happens. That would be the best."

The Gruvis Malt CD release party is at the Green Room on Friday, May 21, with Tarantula from NYC opening.

FOOLS BALL. The culmination of AS220’s infamous arts week, the Fool’s Ball, takes place on Saturday (the 22nd). Ticket prices are $25 and $125 (includes a nice dinner). The event features some great local music — Hal Crook, the Broad Street Orchestra, the Smoking Jackets, the Neo-’90s Dance Band, Reverend Glass Eye, Proteus, and Mahi Mahi. Revelers are advised to come festively (or foolishly) attired to dance and frolic to the wee hours. This year, the Fools Ball theme is "Harlem Renaissance," showcasing arts and social action organizations that are keepers of African-American culture. The mission of AS220 is to provide opportunity and resources to area artists and the Fools Ball is aligned with that mission, acting as a catalyst to connect artists and arts organizations across the region. Each year, the Ball rejuvenates the arts community in Rhode Island and reinforces the solidarity of its membership. Proceeds from the Fool’s Ball directly support AS220 programs and its very worthwhile art/studio facilities. Call Tina Dillman, assistant director of Development of AS220, at 831-9327, for further information.

WANDERING EYE. We wish the best of luck to Almost Homeless. They’ll be appearing at the Paradise in Boston, at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at the semifinals of the Emergenza Festival. Tickets are $18 at the door.

On Friday at the Century Lounge, the monthly "Your Roots Are Showing" series comes ’round again with an ace slate of regional alt.country. This time it’s John Nolan & Hokum (Newmarket, NH), Jon Cate & the Van Gogh Bros. (Boston), the Rivergods (New London), and hosts Lucky 57. The same night you can catch Mary Ann Rossoni at the Coffee Depot in Warren for an 8 p.m. set. The acclaimed songwriter will be bringing backup singers this time, so look out!

Joyce Katzberg brings her witty mélange of topical, traditional, historical, and hysterical songs to the Stone Soup Coffeehouse stage on Saturday. The venue is located at the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket Art Center (210 Main Street). Tickets are $10. If you like your musical entertainment with a little more testosterone, head to Cats in Pawtucket on Saturday for "Pimp Pete Rock’s Birthday Bash" with Tung, K’nypshun, Routine 8, and a special acoustic set by Dan Pepin of Letdown.

Black & White is busy this weekend, as usual, with its Brew Moon Bash appearance in Worcester at the Ecotarium Friday beginning at 6 p.m. and a swing by the Rhino Bar in Newport beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Next Thursday (the 27th), the Mammals will play a benefit concert for the American Friends Service Committee at the Community Church of Providence (372 Wayland Avenue, Providence). The AFSC carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world. Founded by Quakers in 1917 to provide conscientious objectors with an opportunity to aid civilian war victims, AFSC’s work attracts the support and partnership of people of many races, religions, and cultures. Tickets are $15 and the show starts at 8 p.m. Call 521-3584.

And last but not least, Sasquatch & the Sick-A-Billys introduce their new drummer to the world on Saturday. Miss Natalie on the sticks will play her first gig ever with the band at the Green Room. God help her.

For those of you who have music news or feedback, my e-mail address is big.daddy1@cox.net