Though most people have not heard of them, Five For Fighting is not a new band – they just haven’t had the best luck. However, John Ondrasik, the band’s frontman, returns with a new album and an opening slot for Veishea headliner Vertical Horizon after much strife and personal reflection.

In 1997, Ondrasik recorded his debut album, “Message For Albert.” But before the record was able to be distributed, the label he was on folded. Now he has returned with his sophomore release “American Town.”

“`American Town’ is a simpler, more acoustic-driven record,” Ondrasik says.

On the album, Ondrasik draws from past experience, as well as his skills as a singer/songwriter. During his youth, his father worked at JPL as an astrophysicist and his mother was a piano teacher. Both would prove to be influential in his life, but the latter would be the main focus.

“Music has always been an obsession in my life,” Ondrasik says.

Ondrasik took piano lessons until around the age of 13 when his sister got a guitar, which he stole and learned to play. Besides the instrumental aspects of his songwriting, he was formally trained to sing opera. However, his heart remains dedicated to making beautiful rock.

“I try to write the best songs I can and put them on tape the best way I can,” Ondrasik says.

If the sound of the songs reflects the sound of the band, then Ondrasik owes a lot to his predecessors. His music has the presence of a piano- driven Dave Matthews with touches of U2, the Beatles, Elton John and many other great songwriters sprinkled throughout.

“Its very hard to just get a chance,” he says. “It seems that the record companies don’t want Bruce Springsteen, but Backstreet Boys – it’s very frustrating.”

On “American Town” the ingredient of frustration is quite evident in many of the songs. This is understandable, however, as having two record labels fold in the midst of recording can have quite an effect on an artist. Now the name Five For Fighting, which comes from a hockey term meaning a penalty for fighting, has meant more to him then ever.

“I’m on the edge of a cliff right now, I don’t know if I’ll just sit here, or be pushed over,” Ondrasik says, reflecting on his current place in music.

Things have changed for Ondrasik. Currently he is on tour with Vertical Horizon and Train, and also had a tour with David Gray. His first single, “Superman,” will be hitting the radio soon. Not only that, he is now a father.

Life behind Five For Fighting has been a struggle, but for now, it looks like the fight was worth it for this gifted singer/songwriter.