This is one of those infrequent times when I’m writing about a band knowing that, eventually, they’re going to be big.

Someday I’ll have the occasion to be discussing music with a group of people, and the conversation will turn to how much everyone likes The Bay State. I’ll have the chance to say, “Oh, I knew them way back when,” and bask in the vicarious rock ‘n’ roll glory.

The Bay State, composed of Tom Tash, Mary Weatherbee, Drew Hooke, Andy Dutra and Evan James, still has a little way to go, but if their accomplishments thus far mean anything, they are heading in the right direction.

The band has amassed a solid following in the area – specifically Orono and Bangor, as Tash, Hooke and James are all UMaine students – by combining the kinetic energy of bands such as Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World and Saves the Day with the dramatic emotional impact of Cursive and the Get Up Kids. That, along with some unique, challenging arrangements by drummer Hooke and the classically trained viola player James, makes for an appealing sound that comes alive when performed for a packed house, as they’ve had at numerous area shows.

“I love music you can relate to: stuff that’s very emotional, but still packs a punch and is upbeat and tight,” said Tash, the singer and songwriter. “Having all those aspects is really what makes us happy, and it’s great that other people seem to like it, too.”

The Bay State is kicking off a tour of the Northeast that will take them to Pennsylvania starting on Monday, May 21, in Rhode Island and continuing through June 10, when the band comes home and plays a show at Soma 36 in Orono.

Sure, other area bands go on tours, but this is notable simply because the second guitarist and keyboard player had to get her parents’ permission to go: The versatile, talented Mary Weatherbee is just 15 years old.

OK, when I was 15, I was a Dungeons and Dragons-playing theater geek. I definitely wasn’t in a rock band and going on tour. Not fair.

“Tom and I have known Mary all our lives. We’re like her big brothers,” said drummer Hooke, 21, who grew up with Weatherbee and Tash in Lincoln. “But it’s more of a testament to her parents. Her dad, Mark, is going to fly her back and forth in his plane between school in Maine and our tour dates. She’s only missing a few days of school.”

Formed in late 2004, The Bay State originally was just Tash and bass player Dutra. Eventually Tash’s longtime friend Hooke joined the band, followed by Weatherbee. After seeing fellow Orono-based band Belmondo perform last spring, Tash and Hooke decided to ask that band’s viola player, James, 21, to come to a couple of practices, and he too eventually joined the band.

James’ arrival ended up being the turning point in the process of solidifying the band’s sound.

“When Evan joined the band, things really became focused on what we can do as a five piece,” said Hooke. “We’ve progressed so much since then. Tom and I have the same brain, musically, but we turn to Evan for all music theory guidance.”

Tash’s impassioned lyrics and punchy guitar playing complements James’ insistent, emotional, glissando viola lines, along with the ferocity of Hooke’s drumming.

“This has given me a lot of musical freedom. The Bay State is a really good fit for me, because I can express myself anyway I want to. It clicked for me from the very beginning,” said James. “I enjoy both classical and rock music. This in particular give me a great outlet to blow off some steam.”

After the tour, the five plan to record with Maine rocker and producer Bill Chinook. Originally just wanting to make an EP, the band now has enough songs ready to record a full length album.

“We’re really excited about it,” said Tash. “We had five or six songs ready, and then the past few weeks we’ve really gotten the rest down. Drew is going to mix it this summer after we’re done recording. We’re thinking about releasing it sometime in September.”

And after that? Sign with a label, maybe?

“Right now we just want to get a record out and play shows,” said Tash. “We want to have a good fan base and hone our songs. We really respect a band like Zox, who we’ve played with, because they toured out of pocket for five years, and now they can get into any club across the country. We’re going to do things on our own terms until something like a record deal happens.”

My guess? Sooner, rather than later. But, it is hoped, still on their own terms.

Supporting acts

Club Gemini, off Harlow Street in Bangor, will hold a battle of the bands Thursday, May 25, featuring a huge roundup of area groups, including Dugen, Echo Theory, Die Right Now, Soundbender, Unicity, Broken Seal, Josh Erskine and David Thibodeau, Ballistic and the Gilpin Railroad Incident, which is fresh off winning its first battle of the bands, held at The Grand Auditorium last weekend and sponsored by Down East Family YMCA. This shindig is sponsored by the Bangor Alliance of Musicians and Angry Sun Productions (www.myspace.com/angrysunproductions). The 21-plus show starts at 9 p.m. There’s a $5 cover charge, and it should be a great chance to see a lot of local talent in one fell swoop.

For more information, on the Bay State, visit www.myspace.com/thebaystate. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.