"We're proud of our upbringing and we did OK in school," said band member Kevin Gunther, who attended Spotswood High School. "We're a lot more accessible than other bands. You don't have to be a social outcast to like the band."

The guys in the the Central Jersey-based Catch 22 realize that it's a hard world out there for "normal" people. Lost loves, arrogant people and a revved up cover of Don McLean's classic "American Pie" -- performed as if McLean had his finger in a electrical socket when he wrote it -- power Catch 22's most recent release, "Washed Up."

Seems like a lot of edgy kids who don't fall into the social outcast category are catching on to Catch 22. The band has toured across the country several times and is planning to release a new album, "It Takes Some Time," on Victory Records.

"We're kids who play to kids," said Gunther, 20. "We've spent three years together, and it's been a lot of fun. It's been a dream for all of us."

The band -- including Pat Calpin, guitar, Jeff Davidson, vocals, Ryan Eldred, saxophone, Chris Greer, drums, and Pat Kays, bass -- headlines the day-long Stone Pony Skafest tomorrow at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Catch 22's success has hinged on a highly combustible ska-core sound with zig-zaggy rhythms and speed metal interludes.

Along with no heavy messages.