The four men who make up The Bronx aren’t actually from the New York City borough. However, the name does have significant meaning to the band.

The Bronx lead singer Matt Caughthran says the reason for naming the band after a section of New York is meant to throw people off and encourage them not to judge the music based on preconceived implications or stereotypes.

“We’re from L.A. It’s the opposite of what most people think,” Caughthran says.

“We don’t want people to categorize us or label us. We want them to look at the music for what it actually is.”

The members of The Bronx plan to show Iowa what their music is all about when they play at Gabe’s Oasis in Iowa City Saturday.

The band formed in Los Angeles in 2002 and after playing only two shows received an offer most bands on dream of — a record deal.

Caughthran says The Bronx draws its musical influences from a variety of bands. Personally, Caughthran says he draws most of his from his favorite punk bands.

“I’m probably influenced the most by bands like Black Flag and Suicidal Tendencies,” he says. “Neil Young is a big influence. I also love the Clash and the Sex Pistols. ‘Nevermind the Bollocks…’ is one of the greatest albums ever.”

Since signing with Island/Def Jam Records just over a year ago, The Bronx has toured the country extensively with such acts as Social Distortion, The Distillers and The Dillinger Escape Plan.

The band is currently on tour with burgeoning hardcore acts Poison the Well and Every Time I Die. Caughthran says touring with those two groups is definitely a source of fun for the band.

“This tour is fun because we are really good friends with the guys from Every Time I Die,” he says. “We are also friends with Poison the Well, so it’s pretty cool.”

He would rather play small venues, but Caughthran says one of his and the bands most enjoyable shows took place at a larger venue in front of a big overseas crowd.

“We played at this venue in Manchester, England,” he says. “We played with the Distillers. There were, like, 2,200 people there, so it was cool playing in front of a big crowd.”

Caughthran says he loves being in band, but there are a few downsides — the lifestyle isn’t always what people perceive it to be.

“There’s no money in it,” he says. “When I get home, I just veg the whole time and hang out and watch TV. You don’t really eat that much. You can’t live comfortably because you don’t make that much money.”