Dazy Head Mazy love Ames. It’s just that simple.

That would explain why they are gathered around a table at Lumpy’s after a September afternoon concert on the Memorial Union terrace instead of driving up the interstate back to Mankato, Minn.

And judging by the reactions of local crowds throughout the last two years, Ames thinks pretty highly of the Dazy Heads as well.

“Everyone’s willing to have as much fun as we are,” drummer Andy Clark says. “This is probably the funnest town we play — they’re out to see a band and have a blast.”

The first time Dazy Head Mazy entertained an Ames crowd, the band was opening for local folk-rockers The Nadas. Since then, the two bands have seen their relationship grow and become mutually beneficial as they share much of the same fan base.

I became one of those fans the first night I saw them play in January of 1998, and shortly thereafter I took on an active role in the shows by hopping on stage to join the guys for their standard closing tune, “Not Raven.” We’ve had fun together both in Iowa and Minnesota, and that’s why I was worried last spring when I heard rumors of a Dazy Head breakup.

Questions surfaced in bars and on the DHM Internet message board during May and June when frontman Will Bauermeister left the band to try out a solo career. Longtime friend of the band Ben Wilinski took Will’s spot on stage, and it seemed there were some major changes in store for Dazy Head fans.

Fellow fans asked me what I knew about the future of the group and all I could tell them was the changes were all good-natured and both Will and the band were optimistic about what lie ahead.

In the group’s only People’s show without Will, there were mixed reactions. Some fans said it was a great show full of a new energy, while others said that it was nothing like the band they had come to know and love. Around that same time, I saw Will perform down at the Rock Bottom Brewery with The Nadas, and while it was a good show, it just wasn’t the same.

Shortly thereafter, keyboardist Seth Parker was out of the band and Will rejoined Andy and bassist Jason Anderson to fill the familiar spot front and center. Ben stayed with the band, sliding over to play guitar and mandolin and the new lineup was complete.

After watching the revamped Dazy Heads entertain crowds in Minneapolis, at People’s and on the terrace for Engineer’s Week, I had to get some questions answered. They were all smiles on stage and the mood hasn’t changed now that we’re away from the crowd.

As they talk to me about the new lineup, there’s plenty of laughter amplified by several rounds of drinks.

“The morale in the band is higher now,” Andy says. “We expanded musically — we’ve taken a few steps up the ladder.”

Not surprisingly, the original members have nothing but praise for the new guy.

“Ben is a salvation to the band,” Will adds. “He is our new light at the end of the tunnel — easily. We love him and we’re very, very lucky.”

And Ben seems to be having a pretty good time as well. What area does he think has improved the most since spring?

“Personality-wise,” he answers. “Which I think might be the most important thing in the band. Will and I are into all things goofy. We just love to laugh. I feel just really lucky to have gained three good friends.”

So things sound great right now, but I had to ask if they had any plans for the near future.

“In six to 12 months?,” Will asks between drinks. “New album with new music. I’ll be having a blast with Ben. He’s so funny, we wet our pants every day.”

Suddenly, Ben feels the need to add his professional and personal goals for the group as well.

“In six months? A new album,” he says confidently. “Hopefully some new equipment and some more stylish clothes. I swear to God I’m going to be in tiptop physical condition. The whole band will have world-class abdominals and rock-hard buttocks.”

So what can fans expect from this new album that everyone seems to be talking about?

“More true representation of what we do,” Andy says before getting metaphorical. “Musically, the first two albums, we were getting our feet wet. It’s like when you start with a trike bike. You get good on a tricycle, eventually you get a bike with training wheels. Right now we’re leaving the trike bike and shooting for training wheels.”

As always, the release date is tentative, according to Will.

“Look for the new album after Y2K and before the next ‘Star Wars.’ It’ll be all new and [sound engineer] Jimmy Menges will play an integral part.”

With the new album in the works and band chemistry at an all-time high, the group is having a little bit of fun and looking forward to playing at People’s Friday night and seeing their Ames friends — even the ones they visit after the show.

“Folks down here are good folks,” Will says as he looks around Lumpy’s. “We come to town, we go to Pancheros afterward, and their faces light up. It’s a warm fuzzy feeling. We’re at home three hours away from home.”

After all that’s happened, how does Will feel about his short hiatus from Dazy Head Mazy?

“I love the fact that I got to do a solo career. I learned the fact that I have so many friends. Billy Hawn, Justin Mischeler helped me out with smiles on their faces. They’re good musicians and they were very good sports. And The Nadas — when they heard, they were quick to offer help.”

But now Will’s back on stage with Jason, Andy and Ben, and the foursome is ready for whatever comes next.

“I can’t put it into words,” Andy says with a smirk on his face. “The word isn’t even in the dictionary to describe where we’re going, what we’re doing and how we feel right now. And that’s a good thing.”