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If every pin in a game of bowling represented a different emotion, the Craig band Tenstrike would hit them all.

If Tenstrike is not a blip on your radar yet, think punk, but not bitter. Think metal: energetic, not angry. Think original and edgy and loud with a lot of flair.

The five-member band took first place at the Battle of the Bands in May. The contest, only their second performance, is where KRAI Disc Jockey Joshua Fleming first saw them. Fleming judged the annual contest at the high school and recognized potential in the rockers.

"They have great stage presence and good melodic hooks," Fleming said. "The melodic hook can make the difference." Fleming said it was their strong presence that really caught his attention -- that and how the audience responded to the performance. Guitar player Sam Billig agreed that stage presence is one key to the band's success.

The most popular song, according to the band, tells a story about a pirate and a civilian. Singers Brad Hurd and Drew Lyon act out the drama to the immense pleasure of the two audiences who have seen it, Hurd said. Lyon said people come up to him in the grocery store asking for a recording of that song.

The pirate song was third on the list at their rehearsal Thursday night in Brendan Beachman's basement. Lyon and Hurd jumped and gestured while the others jammed. Before the song was done, Beachman had broken into a sweat from his rapid fire drumming. Bass guitarist Billy Richards said the pirate song doesn't require a lot of musical skill -- the band members themselves have other favorites -- but it's a whimsical story people enjoy.

The songs are not all humorous, but they are all original. Some address issues of growing up and moving out, tough relationships or nuclear holocaust. It may not be apparent to the uninitiated just what all the songs are about. One song, "Out with the new and in with the old," refers to an unfaithful girlfriend and another, "The System," could be about a girl, but it could also be about a computer.

The basement band will burst out from underground Sunday at 2 p.m. to open for Twelve to Midnight at a free concert sponsored by KRAI, Boys and Girls Club of Craig and Grand Futures Prevention Coalition. Twelve to Midnight is stopping in Craig as part of a nation-wide tour. They'll be coming from Grand Junction and then after Craig, they'll perform in Fort Collins.

Tenstrike had planned to have a big performance this summer before all but Richards move on to pursue higher education -- Richards will complete his senior year of high school next year. When Fleming called the band to offer them the gig, they jumped on the chance, Lyon said.

KRAI is taking care of all the promotion, which is a bonus for the busy band members who all have summer jobs and who said their biggest challenge is finding time to practice together.