In their five months as a band, Eric May and Center Lane have won a battle of the bands, played at the Casper Events Center and are consistently booked through the end of the year.

This, at a time when most bands have scarcely ventured outside a basement.

"It's almost unbelievable what potential we have in this band," said singer May, who lives in Gillette, as do the band's drummer, Jeremy Malli, and lead guitar player Chase Cassidy. Bassist Shea Ward resides in Casper.

May said the band's sudden success can be attributed to energetic shows and their avoidance of a lonely, twangy country sound in favor of "more of a rock edge." The music we play is country with more of an attitude," he said. "We're definitely not the kind of country you would come and listen to and cry over your beer."

The 120 miles between the Gillette band members and Ward in Casper makes their sudden success even more amazing. According to May, the distance isn't a big deal.

"We like to take requests from the audience," said May. "Whenever there's a request we don't know, I try to write it down. I'll download it and send it out to the guys. We'll all work on it individually, and next time we're together we'll just throw it together and play it."

Though Eric May & Center Lane currently play mostly covers, they're beginning work on a single and album. May said he and Cassidy have two songs written, but they're thinking of taking some help from a Nashville songwriter to speed up the process.

"We had so many requests for (an album), there was no way we could write ten songs and have it done in time," May said.

Tonight and Saturday, the band returns to the site of its battle-of-the-bands victory, Cowboys Saloon and Dancehall, 1910 Talc Rd. The music begins at 9 each night; there's a $3 cover charge. For more information, call 234-7476.