Signum A.D. is headlining a show in St. Joseph Saturday.

Hmm ... that didn't quite have the impact I was looking for. Let's try this again.

A band that has opened for Chevelle, Sevendust, Powerman 5000 and Rev Theory and has recorded with producers that have worked with Creed, Breaking Benjamin, Alter Bridge and Framing Hanley is headlining a show in St. Joseph Saturday.

Much better.

While few know the name Signum A.D. now, it will be only a matter of time before the band establishes itself in mainstream hard rock.

"No one knows who they are, but they're very talented and their music is exactly what most of our crowd likes to listen to," says Chad Vann, co-owner of Hammerjacks Rock-N-Roll Sports Bar, where Signum A.D., Sammus Theory and East Eighteen will perform at 9 p.m. Dec. 5.

The group's sound reminds many of a combination of Breaking Benjamin's hooks and melodic vocals with Sevendust's brutal bass and drums.

"We're just real heavy, driving rock with a lot of intensity," says Signum A.D. lead singer Dave Ruyle.

Ruyle, guitarist Elliot Ectin and drummer D.L. formed Signum A.D. in Augusta, Kan., in 2006. Knowing that the Augusta-Wichita music scene wasn't exactly popping, Signum A.D. recorded an album and sent it to producer Brett Hestla, who is Creed's touring bass player and frontman of Dark New Day. Hestla knew the Kansas three-piece (now a four-piece with bassist Brentin) was on to something right away and passed the album on to Jeff Hanson, who has produced works from Creed, Sevendust and Paramore. Hanson arranged a meeting in Florida right away.

"We were going to go all out or there was no point," Ruyle says. "So we all took out loans and drove down to Orlando."

Eventually the band signed with the Silent Majority Group, a Warner Bros. record label, and the rest is history. Ruyle and the boys are awaiting the official release of their debut album, "Music as Morphine," while touring in the meantime.

Ruyle says the over-arching theme of the album implies that music is a universal language of the soul.

"(Music) will make you feel a certain way, and that's kind of the idea behind that title. The whole album kind of deals with things like that," Ruyle explains. "And, of course, there are a few songs that deal with addiction and heartbreak just like every rock and roll album."

Ruyle's favorite song to play live is "Day Versus Day," which was written by drummer D.L. It may be the most intense song in the band's artillery.

"It's about a conflicting battle he has with demons," Ruyle explains. "And when you know what it's about, you try to pick up the emotion he's conveying when you play it."

Saturday's performance will be the band's first in St. Joe, but Signum A.D. should be warmly welcomed by this city's significant hard rock fan base.

"We'll be shaking lots of sweat from our heads and going crazy. I hope St. Joe goes crazy with us," Ruyle says.

For more information, call Hammerjacks Rock-N-Roll Sports Bar at 749-4011.