The growing age of stardom is upon us.

From winning a reality television show and receiving a million dollars to becoming the next apprentice to singing in front of millions of people in hopes of a record contract, that pedistal of celebrity has never been easier to climb. Despite the seemingly common goal of becoming famous and making loads of money, that norm could not be further from the goals of Jim Suptic.

His view of success is entirely different: “Be happy playing music,” he says.

Suptic, guitarist of Kansas-based rock band Blackpool Lights, formed the group last fall. The band consists of members originally from other bands, including the Start, Ultimate Fakebook and the Get Up Kids.

“Near the end, it was just a bunch of side projects,” Suptic says. “We wanted a real band.”

The members of Blackpool Lights have been playing music together for almost a year, and have seen the band transform from a side project into a full-time, touring band. They have even found enough time to record a full-length album, which Suptic says combines rock ’n’ roll and pop-rock.

Blackpool Lights has had the opportunity to draw from sounds from all over, and from their favorite bands including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Beatles and Nirvana. Suptic says their inspiration comes from all around them.

“If it’s going in your ear and you’re hearing it, [it inspires],” he says.

Suptic says the resulting sound is a good reflection of the band because its main focus has always been the music, and not to apply themselves to simply appeal to a target market.

“We aren’t very trendy,” Suptic says, “We aren’t the Killers.”

With or without an established fan base, the band hit the tour circuit running. It embarked on its first tour with only a five-song EP and is at it again. The band members’ ability to tour comes from the pleasure they get from being on the road.

Since all the members have come from different bands — and have brought their collective influences together — they are still getting a feel for stage presence. Regardless, Suptic says the band is looking forward to an exciting future.

For Suptic, the experience of working out the kinks with his new band and seeing it build from the ground up is gratifying. He’s recently gone from modest crowds of 50 people to playing sold out shows of 3,000 fans with the Get Up Kids.

“It’s humbling,” he says.

Although the band may be less of a draw than his former ensemble, Suptic says he is certainly optimistic that, given time and hard work, he will soon again be playing to packed ballrooms.

“[The] sky’s the limit,” he says.

What: Blackpool Lights

Where: The Maintenance Shop

When: 9 p.m. Thursday

Cost: $6 students, $8 public