Everything the guys of Mariana Trench ever needed to know, they learned in kindergarten. How to share. How to compromise. How to rock a crowd of hedonists at Iowa State University.

Huh? Well OK, they just learned that last year. The only band making a reappearance at this year’s Veishea festivities just couldn’t get enough. Armed with a new CD and a few surprises, Mariana Trench prepares to take Veishea-goers by storm.

The alternative rockers from Chicago would appear to have the market cornered on wacky venues. Playing everywhere from the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, Fl., to a Blockbuster Music store in Arlington Heights, Ill., if you clear it, they will play.

“The show at Hard Rock was fun, kind of weird though,” said frontman Ben Yashon. “They served us a meal and then cleared a section, and that’s where we played. But it wasn’t like people were eating or anything.”

The boys are no longer singing for their dinners. Since signing with Acme Entertainment in the fall of 1993, Mariana Trench has released three CDs, including its latest self-titled effort.

With three discs under their belt, the time has come for MT to prove its manhood and embark on “the tour.” “We’re still not to used to traveling,” Yashon said. “But in May we’re getting ready for the big one; six states in six weeks.”

And with the first major tour comes the rite of passage of the first tour van. “We’ve been renting a van, but now we’re looking into buying one,” Yashon said. “We’re planning how we’re going to build lofts in it and everything,” he added.

No matter how far they travel, however, their Chicago roots will always be in tow. “Hopefully that won’t change,” Yashon said of the Windy City music scene into which they fit. “People are noticing it more and more, but the music is very diverse. There may be a common theme, but there’s so many sounds.”

After chatting with the members of Mariana Trench, which includes guitarist Greg Rappin, bassist Ryan Stoeteran, drummer Stewy and Yashon, one might wonder where the dark melodrama of their sound comes from.

“It’s not like I’m writing about anything profound or specific,” explained Yashon, who also writes all the lyrics. “I like to think I’m a pretty happy-go-lucky guy.”

Yashon said his lyrics remain abstract enough that just about everyone can associate something with them. Yet, every now and then, even he is surprised at the songs he composes. “Every song has its own feel,” he said. “Sometimes, though, I say, ‘Geez, I can’t believe I wrote that,’ when I hear how dark it sounds. I guess it’s how I get out my aggression.”

Once the aggression is out of the way, it comes time to play. Not wanting to be taken too seriously, even these rockers know how to let loose. But the fun doesn’t include those beauties of the front row (“We’ve had some nice conversations with them, that’s all — PG version”). Letting loose is more like surprising the audience.

“We were playing a riff once that reminded me of the song from ‘School House Rock,’ the ‘I’m Just a Bill’ one, so I started singing it,” Yashon said. “We don’t usually do covers, but we have some surprises planned for you guys.”

He means us: the many, the thirsty, the Music Fest goers. Don’t miss Mariana Trench when they play the fest at Clyde Williams field on Saturday.

Kick-off is set for 3 p.m. Slated to play last, they’ll take stage whenever everyone else is done. It’s free; gotta like that. It’s Veishea; gotta love that.