VH1’s old “Bands on the Run” program has been hailed as the “Real World” of rock music. Well, if “Bands on the Run” is like the “Real World,” then the show’s winning band, Flickerstick, is their answer to Puck.

During 2001, the reality show followed Flickerstick, as well as three other rock bands, as they competed for $50,000 worth of Guitar Center merchandise, a music video that would play on VH1 and an automatic A&R Showcase. During a tour of the U.S., the four bands earned points by their live performances, scavenger hunts and even by their performance of the National Anthem. The most impressive thing about Flickerstick’s victory was that they earned it almost entirely by their live performances. While the other three bands focused heavily on the side contests like getting radio spots, the Dallas foursome spent their off-stage time more productively (mostly drinking and getting laid).

In a recent interview with the State Hornet, Flickerstick lead singer Brandin Lea dispelled rumors that the band’s work ethic was out of whack. “We have an ethic that has nothing to do with the way we were on the show. We take ourselves very seriously.”

Flickerstick signed with Epic Records about six months after the show. “A common misconception is that the winners of the show automatically got signed to a major label,” Lea said. “Actually, being on the show hindered the bands that were on it from getting signed.”

Not long after being signed under the Epic banner, however, Flickerstick dropped the deal. “It’s a long story.” Lea explained. “We had a two album deal, and it just didn’t work out. What I will say is that the arrangement wasn’t as good as we expected. Plus, we already had a healthy fan base, and we still wanna do this low key. That’s more our style. Not only that, but Epic also had problems with putting a lot of money into new bands after 9/11 and the economy going under.”

Life with Epic wasn’t easy for Flickerstick. “We have this song ‘Coke’,” Lea said. “The chorus goes…’come on, I’d like to buy the world a Coke and lie here naked with my girl.’ Well, we were gonna release it as a single, but Coke didn’t want us mentioning their product in the same line as the word naked. So, we had to change it. It was stupid, but we did. It went…’lie here taken with my girl.’ Now, though, it’s back to naked.”

The band, influenced by the Velvet Underground, The Cure and Superdrag, still might take another big label deal. “We’ve had interests,” Lea said. “This time, we’re gonna be more cautious. I mean, we’d love to have a chart-topping single, but we’re not in a band just to be number one. A lot of bands do this to see how many albums they can sell. We’ve been doing this for six years, and we just worry about having a healthy fan base, and to keep recording good albums. Our favorite bands – bands like Wilco – aren’t bands that you’re gonna see at the top of the charts.”

Currently, Flickerstick is on a six-week tour of the country in support of their independent release, “Causing a Catastrophe-Live.” The CD includes live versions of their hits “Smile” and “Beautiful.”

The band rolls into Sacramento on Nov. 9, playing the Boardwalk along with Dropline. For more info, visit www.flickerstick.com.