Student rock group Bonzai Empire has achieved quintessential college band status with their new CD, “Feel Better.” With a sound very much like early Weezer or even Oasis, Bonzai Empire’s songs are light-hearted and easy to listen to.

All the album’s 10 tracks flow together smoothly. It’s blazingly apparent after listening to the first couple of songs that the performers are amateur college-aged students, but that doesn’t mean the songs aren’t fun to listen to. With heavy drum beats and distinctive bass lines, the CD gives off a light-alternative rock feel. The young, fresh lyrics also appeal to the new singer/songwriter crowd.

“With the way current rock songs are, very emotional and deep, I just wanted to create music that has simple lyrics and good sing-along appeal,” said lead guitar player and songwriter Travis Okamoto.

With songs like “All and Everything” and their current single, “Fireworks,” the band achieves this goal and creates a relaxed, chill vibe.

Along with Okamoto, the band consists of Brian Williams on vocals, Mike Sonoda on rhythm guitar, Ramon Guzman on bass, and Peter Wynn on drums.Okamoto is not only responsible for writing every song on “Feel Better,” but he also takes over lead vocals for one track.

Young rockers Okamoto and Wynn are both recent Sacramento State graduates while Sonoda is still in attendance. Although none of the band mates were music majors, they all share a deep appreciation for creating good music.Being in a rock band while attending college seems like two great tasks to endeavor, but it can be done. “It’s not that hard,” said Sonoda. “It’s just most of my free time is taken up by the band.”

Another cool aspect of the new CD is that it is enhanced, so not only are there 10 tracks, but an appealing music video to boot. The carefree video matches the song “Fireworks” perfectly.

“I just want to have fun,” Okamoto said. “I wanted to make a record that people can just hang out and drink to.”

Okamoto and the other members are right on, with a CD that is easy to pop in the stereo and enjoy. It’s great background music for entertaining guests, or even studying to.

The band formed in 2000 when Okamoto approached his close friends about giving life to all of the songs he has written down on paper for years. All the members have been friends for a long time, and agreed to try and make a band happen.

As for what the future holds, the band doesn’t know. They don’t mind staying local, but riding it as far as they can go is number one.

The band has a long way to go if they want to make it big. It’s easy to want these guys to succeed and root them, for it’s not often that fellow classmates are making rock albums, so airplay and a growing fan base are things to hope for in the future.

The band’s sound does need some fine tuning, for despite having a good time listening to their record, it’s going to take a lot to reach national, or even local, stardom.

More information on the band is available at their Web site www.bonzaiempire.net.