To survive as an independent band, you must have connections. Forming connections means successful networking with venues, other bands and practically anyone you meet.

The hope is that when a show is booked, the other bands on the bill are good enough to draw fans so your music gets exposed to as many people as possible.

If playing with good bands is the key to success, The Creature Comforts must be doing something right.

These Lawrence, Kan., natives got the chance to share the stage with power pop stars Cheap Trick at Spirit Fest in Kansas City, Mo. during Labor Day weekend.

“We got to meet them, and we got to see them totally rock out,” recalls Brian Everard, bassist. “They are one of the great American rock bands. That was a lot of fun.”

Since The Creature Comforts rocked the Maintenance Shop in January, they’ve just been enjoying the finer things, as their name suggests.

Besides playing alongside `80s rock stars, The Creature Comforts have been touring as much as possible, demoing new songs and working the day jobs that support their music habit.

When Everard, Chris Tolle, Bill Brimblecom and J.D. Warnock aren’t touring in support of their music, they get back down to business.

“We work as often as we can when we’re at home, so we can afford to tour as often as we can,” Everard says. “Having a flexible job is important. I work as much as I can, but they’re really understanding about me going out on tour.”

Everard is employed at a retail music store. Other member’s jobs include bartender, chef and sales associate at Banana Republic.

And despite having played with bands like Dinosaur Jr., Everclear and Fastball, as well as many others, they have still not found a band with a sound quite like their own.

Citing influences from the late `60s to early `80s, the Creatures’ music has evolved into a sound which makes them unique in the realm of indie-rock. So how do you describe this sound to someone who has never heard it?

“I guess the standard answer used to be that we’re a pop band, but that confused a lot of people,” says Everard. “I still consider it pop music, but I guess my definition is different. It’s pretty tough to put a label on it.”

Labeled or not, the Creatures hope to be a skillful rock band with a focus on writing quality songs.

“When I say that we’re a pop band, I just mean good songs and great melodies that are well-made – the kind that stick in your head and that you take with you,” explains Everard. “I think we’re just an independent pop band that’s definitely guitar-driven.”

It has been a year since the release of The Creature Comforts’ sophomore effort, “Teaching Little Fingers to Play.” After numerous tours in support of this album, the band has decided to work on songs for the next album slated for release sometime next year.

Until then, though, the Creatures seem content with touring the indie circuit. And who knows, maybe someday they’ll be headlining Spirit Fest in place of Cheap Trick.