By JASON KEESE
Leader managing editor

Don't let the swaggering name fool you. These guys in the Omaha hard-rock band Perfect Circle know that everyone won't necessarily like their music, a crashing mix of guitar and drums best described as classical rock on steriods.

That's why they enlisted a talented friend to design the cover art for the band's debut CD, "Life of Mine."

"Even if they don't like the music they'll like the cover," jokes guitarist Jameson Cantwell, a 2002 graduate of Danilel J. Gross Catholic High School.

Cantwell is joined in Perfect Circle by three 2003 Gross grads Doug Tangeman (drums), Jake "The Snake" Maneman (bass) and Justin Pogge (vocals). Perfect Circle will play a concert Friday night at the Ranch Bowl to celebrate the release of its CD. Opening acts are A Copper Wish and Lost Logic, a group of Bryan High School graduates.

Perfect Circle formed about six months ago. The guys knew each other from Gross, but didn't start playing together until Cantwell replaced the original guitarist. The band has since played four concerts at the Ranch Bowl, including a gig opening for national act Zebrahead that drew more than 300 people.

Perfect Circle recorded "Life of Mine" at Bassline Studios in Omaha, during the band members' spring break - Tangemine attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; the rest go to the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The band pressed about 1,000 copies of the CD, which will sell for $8 and will be available at Friday's concert. The CD is also for sale at Homer's record stores.

Friday's concert starts at 8:30 p.m. The Ranch Bowl is located at 1600 S. 72nd St., Omaha.