Bands come in all different shapes, sizes and styles. Some will make you tap your feet. Some will have you singing along. Some may even inspire you to dance. Then there are rare bands like the All Mighty Senators. A band that encourages you to do all that and more. Actually, you'll do more than you thought you could.

I heard a lot about these guys from friends, newspapers, even from MTV. No one really seems to want to classify them in any particular music genre. That's because they combine a little jazz and a little soul, with a huge mix of rock and funk. See why it's hard to describe them?

Instead, many people have described them with one word. "Energy!" Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've heard that one before. But something told me that the All Mighty Senators' version of energy would be different. So I headed over to Murph's Other Bar on the night before their official CD release party for Raw Power Live!

Before they took the stage for their Friday night show, I sat down with the four core members who make up this ultimate party band: Landis Expandis on drums and lead vocals, Warren Boes on guitar, Jack Denning on bass, and Dave Finnel on trumpet and keyboards. In addition to these high-voltage musicians, a trombone player and two sax players join the fun from time to time.

Oh, before I forget. There is one very important matter you should know about Landis. He plays the drums left-handed on his right-hand side and right-handed on his left-hand side. It's just how he learned. Wait, there's more. He plays his drums standing up. And front and center, so the world can see.

His free-wheeling style reverberates throughout the band. They don't just sing and play music. They perform. No, that seems too constricting for them. They entertain. Their shows include more than heart and soul. They include costumes, makeup, props, the works. "We want our shows to be explosive. We want people to be able to lose themselves in the music, cast away their inhibitions, and feel free to go wild and express themselves through some sort of creative dancing, dressing up, or singing along," says Denning.

The group got started in the Baltimore area years ago, and their passion hasn't diminished one bit. Actually, all Denning would tell me is that they formed "when the Republicans were in The White House." Ouch! Landis actually founded the band while attending the Maryland School of Art. He was learning to be a cartoonist when his love for the drums, which he learned in high school, was rekindled by an open set at a party. "I was in the middle of the street when it struck me. I was carrying my portfolio with me and I was like 'I'm going to be a musician.' My mom was going to kill me." But don't worry, Mom. He hasn't forgotten his first love. He designs their album covers and T-shirts.

While a visual arts background may have influenced their lavish shows, they are really reminisent of something else. Something every member of the band grew up with: the '70s variety shows! Like the Osmond's, Sonny and Cher, and even the Brady Bunch.

But let's not confuse the matter. Even though Greg, Peter, Bobby, Marsha, Jan, Cindy and the gang may have influenced how the All Mighty Senators perform, it really isn't why they perform. "My father and grandfather inspired me to play music," says Boes. "Sure I could say the Beatles. But it was people who I met who had a profound influence on my music." The same is true for other members of the band Ð older brothers playing instruments in the garage, sisters learning to play classical music, and simply listening to their older brothers' record collections.

After a year of playing apartment parties around the school, the group graduated to the small bar circuit. By the way, let me tell you where the name of the band came from. At one of their first parties, a friend of the band was asked to pull a name from a hat so they could be properly introduced. Instead, the friend, who had a little too much to drink that night, decided to come up with his own name. Years later, they are still the All Mighty Senators. And you thought there is some science to naming a band.

Apartment parties and bars aren't the only places the band has played. In fact, they've played at some, well, places where you wouldn't expect to see them. Like a Chuck E. Cheese, a bar with a Burger King attached to it, a family restaurant, and my personal favorite Ð a survivalist bar where, according to Denning, "Yosemite Sam hangs out." They also have aspirations of playing on the space shuttle. But to be honest, I don't think they care where they play. As long as they have fun and everyone around them comes alive.

In all seriousness, they've played at some great venues where they had a chance to be heard. Like the X-Games and one of their favorite gigs Ð an outdoor family festival in West Virginia. They simply had a blast playing for the people in West Virginia. And it showed. It just so happened that a record label, Phoenix Presents, stopped by to check them out. Next thing they knew, the band was dropping their private label and had a new deal. Now, more people would be able to enjoy their music.

The entire band deeply feels that music is something you should experience. Something you should enjoy. Not something that makes you want to fight the world. "Music is pretty evil now. Graphic violence is being depicted in lyrics. They don't understand that they have this special power. There has to be some superheroes using it for good," says Landis.

Their superhero power can be heard throughout their music and lyrics. Just look at a few of their song titles like "Raw Power" and "Power Generator." But the raw energy created by their heart-racing beats and electrifying chords are what really drives their force. People just can't seem to stop moving the second the band starts their musical journey. And it was evident on the dance floor the night I saw them perform. There was some sort of sexual force in the air. Actually, female fans have been known to bare all. While there was a lot of "dirty dancing" going on, I didn't see anything that interesting. Oh well. People were just letting loose and having a grand old time. I was even moving quite furiously. I say "moving" because there's still some question of whether or not it was dancing. But that kind of behavior is exactly what the band wants. They want their crowd "to be the people they really are. And may not even know yet," explains Landis. People young and old, male and female, buzzed and sober, were freeing their minds, bodies, and souls. And I don't think anyone could have stopped before the set was over, even if they wanted to.

If you ever get the chance to see the All Mighty Senators, don't hesitate. Just go and see them. No, go and feel them. When you get there, grab a drink and get on the dance floor. Actually, the band suggests you grab some water. "You're going to sweat and you're going to dance real hard," advises Jack.

Listen to the man. He speaks the truth.