Mars Williams can hear his audience’s stomachs growling. He knows what can satisfy their aching bellies.

“People are hungry for something new,” Williams says, “and it’s not what the record companies are throwing at them.”

Williams, former saxophonist and music director of the acid jazz band Liquid Soul, has a new groove to fulfill his fans. His newest project, Mars Williams Mushroom Massive, will play for the fifth time as a band Thursday at the Maintenance Shop.

The Mushroom Massive project began when Williams decided to take a leave of absence from Liquid Soul, he says.

“When I decided to leave, [Liquid Soul] was sounding great,” Williams says. “I was just on a different mindset. I wanted to keep the music progressing.”

Fans of Liquid Soul will see all of the same elements in Mushroom Massive’s music. Mushroom Massive’s sound is developed by taking styles from genres such as jazz, Latin, electronic, hip-hop and psychedelic. The added effect of computer-aided layering, however, takes the music to another level.

“Massive is where Liquid Soul should have been right now in the evolution of the music,” Williams says. “Our sound is less commercial than what Liquid Soul is playing right now.”

Williams says Mushroom Massive gives him more opportunities to play how he’s always want to.

“The doors were open to do anything when Liquid Soul started,” he says. “I felt the door was starting to close. We were playing what the record label expected.”

Mushroom Massive includes trumpeter Carlos Washington, Disc Jockey Cappo, bassist Kent Kessler, drummer David Suycott and guitarist Tommy Klein. To keep creativity fresh, the band line-up may change a bit from show to show, Williams says. “I’d like to have a new member some week. They’ll have an entire different perspective.”

Williams says his band’s live shows appeal to many different audiences. “I like to change the colors throughout the night to leave a lot of spontaneity,” Williams says.

Expect to see a lot of freestyle performing as well. Williams calls this “structured improv.”

“Every song has written material but each tune is a springboard into the free,” Williams says. “Every show is different.”

Another way Williams says he keeps the band’s music evolving is by giving the other members of the band freedom to try new things.

“I tell them, if you wanna do something do it,” Williams says. “If you’re bored, come up with something. If it sucks, don’t ever do it again — but it would really have to suck.”

Williams is looking forward to bringing his new band to the M-Shop Thursday. “There is something about the room,” Williams says. “I like it when people are right there.”