Laminated Cat feels like two different bands: one on the record and one during the live show. The band’s members describe their live show as being more loose, freewheeling and grungy than the album.

“It’s more rock ‘n’ roll than the album,” singer and multi-instrumentalist AJ Griffin said. “We just kind of rock out on guitar.”

The band released its debut album, Umbrella Weather, in September 2009. The name of the album came from part of the lyrics of one of the songs, “Aquamarine.”

Singer and guitarist Tanner Smith explained that listeners should spend time with the album and take something positive away from it.

“The value increases with further scrutiny,” Griffin said.

Griffin and Smith collaborated in writing the album. Both agreed that girls were part of their inspiration. However, Griffin added thatliving in a small, rural part of Maine also contributed.

“I guess you have to be there to quantify it,” Griffin said.

The band is currently on its first tour with The Apples in stereo.

“They are well-rounded in a cosmic way…they are tethered to stars,” Smith said.

Griffin explained that the tour has been good for the band.

“Every time we start playing there are like 15 people, then we start playing and they crawl out of the woodwork,” Griffin said.

As a whole, the band’s members have been playing together since high school. However, Smith and his brothers, Camden and Cooper Smith, have been playing together since they were young. They gather influence from musicians such as The Beatles, Elliot Smith, Pavement and Neil Young.

Laminated Cat will be playing at The Billiken Club on May 4.

The band’s official MySpace, is www.myspace.com/laminatedcatt.