They may all come from different biological families, but the members of Horse the Band share a bond as deep and storied as blood brothers.

Guitarist David Isen and keyboardist Erik Engstrom have been best friends since childhood. They met vocalist Nathan Winneke and drummer Jason Karuva in elementary school.

Even though they crossed paths at an early age, the members of Horse the Band wouldn’t form until some time later, after they had each been involved in other projects.

“It started off as Horse,” Isen says. “No one can think of where it came from or of a lie that sounds good enough to say where we got [the name] from.

“There was this folk singer from Ireland who went by Horse and threatened to sue, so we added ‘the Band.'”

On the band’s first tour a year ago, members found the last piece of the puzzle — bassist Andy Stokes. He set up a show for them, then asked to audition as bassist for the band. He was quickly brought into the family.

Horse the Band is currently in the middle of its second tour and will return to Ames Monday to perform at the Mediocre SuperCellar, 228 Hilltop Rd.

“Last year we had a good show in Ames and we got a call to come back again,” Isen says. “This [tour] is better — we are more prepared than the first time, we have a CD and more fans.”

The members of Horse the Band say the amount of energy they put in their shows draws a wide variety of fans. They try to give their fan base what it asks for, Isen says.

“We draw a crowd that can’t be put in one category,” Isen says. “We put more energy into our shows than a nuclear power plant.

“You could say the thing our fans have in common is they want to see a good show and that’s what we give them.”

The chemistry of the five men is undeniable — they act more like a band of brothers, as if they were family.

Isen says each band member’s personality defines how they fit in with the group.

“Each person has their role,” Isen says. “Nathan’s the father figure always trying to lead us in the right direction and Andy — he’s the abused stepchild. We all get along and have fun.”

Like any tight-knit family, the band members still have their disagreements, but Isen says it is beneficial for the music when the band disagrees occasionally.

“No one here has the same influences,” Isen says. “We never agree on that but it doesn’t affect our music. We all want to do something different, so it kind of helps us to come up with something new.”

As for the band’s future, the members say they are trying not to look too far into the future and are just appreciating the successes they’ve already achieved.

“It’s all up in the air. Anything can happen, things can lead us anywhere,” Winneke says. “Right now, the fact it works makes us hope things will go well.

“In a year everyone may like us, or we can take a different road. Hopefully things will grow.”