When it comes to making a name for yourself and gathering a strong fan base — the key word is tour. This is a philosophy strongly upheld by the Indiana rock band The Why Store.

In the past four years, The Why Store has toured heavily throughout the Midwest, stopping only to produce two independent albums along the way. But the key to the group’s success was an idea most bands never think of.

“At first we were a major cover band,” lead guitarist Michael David Smith said. “But finally we decided it was time to do our own thing. What we did differently from most bands was to make sure we were ready to play before hitting the road.

“For the first two years we spent our time playing by ourselves, preparing for a tour,” he added. “We didn’t head out until we knew we had something to offer.”

When The Why Store finally set out on the road — the group was definitely ready. With 3-ring binders waiting to sign up new Whomheads (hardcore deadhead-like musical zombies) and a lot of energy, The Why Store began captivating audiences everywhere.

The band jammed its folk and blues-oriented rock mostly through the Midwest. At “Rock the Ripple” music festival in Indianapolis in 1992, The Why Store amazed an enthusiastic crowd with its spirited and soulful stage presence.

In the years following, the group sold over 200,000 copies of its debut self-titled album, which spawned the hit singles “Father” and “Lack of Water.”

Smith cited two memorable occasions from touring. One was getting to tour with John Mellencamp.

“He was the most fun. That tour was the most drinking we ever did. We only got 25 minutes a night and we were used to 2-3 hours so we had to party pretty hard,” Smith said.

The Why Store also got some TV time when the band played on Late Night with Conan O’Brian.

“It was so awesome,” Smith said. “They pick you up in limos from your suite and escort you everywhere.”

But all of that hasn’t changed the group’s way of thinking. The Why Store still mostly love to play bars and small venues. Part of that ideology comes from the group’s background.

Singer Chris Shaffer, bassist Greg Gardner and Smith all attended Ball State University in Muncie, In. They spent most of their college days in separate bands before coming together with drummer Charlie Bushor and keyboardist Jeff Pedersen.

“When we play small places, the gratification is right in our faces. We love that,” Smith said.

Being former college students, Smith said The Why Store is most at home in bars. “Rowdy college guys are our friends,” he joked.

What really seems to get the fans at Why Store shows is the atmosphere the group creates. The Why Store promises a different show every night.

“The fans love us ’cause we’re having fun up there, and it rubs off on them. I promise them two different shows this weekend,” Smith vowed. “We’ve got so much music it will be entertaining every time you see us.”

The band’s always varying sound is what helped The Why Store get signed to Way Cool Music, a subsidiary of MCA Records.

“We wanted a label that understood us,” Smith said. “We’ve had enough schmooz dinners to keep us fed all the time, but those labels wanted us to stick to one type of music. The best thing about Way Cool Music was that all they cared about was if we could play well.”

The Why Store was hoping to release its latest album next month, but decided not too. Instead, the group is going back to the studio to change a few of the songs.

Amidst a heavy touring schedule, The Why Store is hoping to finish the album by May. In the meantime, pleasing live audiences will be the group’s focus once again.

The Why Store will be playing at People’s Bar and Grill Sunday and Monday night at 9:30. Tickets are $14 in advance and are available at all TicketMaster outlets.