For a band who is constantly on the road, upwards of 150 shows a year, it may be difficult to keep their energy up from night to night.

But for Widespread Panic the answer is simple: “We don’t repeat songs from night to night,” keyboardist John Hermann said in a recent phone interview.

“I mean, when you play a song from night to night it kind of loses its energy. I don’t think the people would come if we played the same songs every night,” Hermann said.

When Hermann (his friends refer to him as Jo Jo) speaks of the “people,” he is referring to the grassroots following which seems to go from Panic show to Panic show.

Similar to the Grateful Dead and Phish fan bases, these fans are so drawn to Widespread Panic’s music they often leave their homes for weeks at a time to catch an entire tour.

What draws these neo-hippies to each show? Probably the spontaneity of each performance.

“We really don’t know what we’re going to play when we walk out on stage,” Hermann said.

The special guests who pop up once in a while also contribute to Panic’s stage persona.

On one of the first nights of the fall tour, saxophone maestro Branford Marsalis jammed along with Panic when they played an opera house in Toronto.

Among the other guests who have recently performed with them are such legends as David Grisman, The Neville Brothers and Col. Bruce Hampton.

Hampton is more or less the godfather of Widespread Panic since he has had such an influence on the band’s music career, Hermann said.

“He’s really on a deeper level,” he said.

That level can be felt on the latest album, “Bombs and Butterflies,” in which Hampton makes a guest appearance on the last track, “Greta.”

“Bombs and Butterflies” also features another favorite of the band, Vic Chestnutt, who contributed his lyrics and vocals to its latest radio song, “Aunt Avis.”

With all guests aside, Widespread Panic has the potential to carry an audience through a set list which averages three hours a show.

However, the band still seems a little reluctant to play the fans’ most requested song, “Coconuts,” often times pulling it out only for special occasions.

“We play it once in awhile,” Hermann said. “I mean, I like the song. But a lot of songs come and go. A lot of them come back and a lot of them don’t.”

Even if the band’s much anticipated live album doesn’t feature “Coconuts,” it will be an accurate portrayal of a typical Widespread Panic concert, Hermann said.

Fans can expect the album to come out next March, he said.

But for now, Widespread Panic is going to keep doing what they do best — mixing up set lists, practicing during sound checks and touring about every state in the country.

Central Iowa will get its chance to find out what the panic is all about when Widespread Panic makes a stop in Ames tonight at Stephens Auditorium. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $19.50 at the Iowa State Center Box Office or any TicketMaster outlet. Tickets can also be charged by phone at 233-1888 or be purchased over the Web at www.ticketmaster.com.