Drummer Brad Balsley has a paper cutout of The Who in his bass drum, and I'm reminded these guys actually played on stage with The Who, and were Eddie Vedder's back-up band on numerous occasions. I mean to ask them about these surely incredible experiences, but the conversation never swings that way. Instead, I find myself interested in the explanation of the nerdy, mathy style in which Jon Merithew and Balsley concoct their songs.

"Basically, each song is broken into titled riffs," describes Merithew, pointing to a whiteboard. Titles and numbers adorn the board, with plenty of rocker code words like "hickory" thrown in for good measure. I learn "hickory" means "soft and plucky."

Take, for example, the C Average song "Prolock". It has six pieces, with titles like "Perilous Return," and "Perpetual Saga." The band draws a parallel between the sound of the riff and a sci-fi story line that Jon writes along with the music.

"It helps me focus and organize," says Merithew. "It's a lesson I learned from Rush."

I get my choice of yellow or black earmuffs, and I choose yellow. I sit propped against some gear, my knees pulled up to keep out of the way of Jon's cords and pedals. For over 12 years these guys have rocked the crowds and rolled the 12-sided dice - and I could feel it. With drum sticks raised and rocker stance commenced, C Average begins to play. The vibe in the room becomes saturated with mountain mist and dragon breath and brilliant chord progressions and sweetly timed tom drums and cymbal crashes.

My note taking ceases as I zone out on their heady rock. C Average takes me to space and back, just like a good rock band should. They follow through with a couple more jams, breaking periodically to realign their chemistry.

I'm excited to know they are back on track. In addition to the band's performance at The Eastside Club this Saturday with fellow Oly rockers The Tide, featuring two members of Fitz of Depression, C Average also plans on playing Old School Pizzeria for Olympia Spring Arts Walk.

[The Eastside Club, with The Tide, Saturday, Feb 27, 9 p.m., $5, 410 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.357.9985]