It was a five-second event that became a four-minute song.

"This old man underneath an overpass is standing ankle deep in water with a big plastic bag over his shoulder," explains Mike Christiansen, vocalist and guitarist for local band Capital 8, "He's looking for cans to put in his bag and I realize that I really have nothing to complain about.'"

It was that fleeting moment and its accompanying realization became "Very Tuesday," one of the nine stunning songs on Capital 8's 2001 debut CD "Reason."

"I tend to take the little events in life that happen to me and try to find a larger meaning," Christiansen continues, "I want to write about something more than just girls and cars."

"Some of the songs I write tend to be more cynical," says Michelle Anthony, who plays bass and sings. "Everything has to have a huge company behind it in order for it to be accepted by the public. It's old. My songs take the standpoint of being frustrated with that."

It is the road less traveled has made all the difference to Capital 8, both lyrically and musically. Their melodic, organic pop sound and strumming rhythms defy category, and they like doing things their own way.

"I'd much rather deliberately run against the grain to make a point," Mike says.

The point was made in late 1999 when friends Christiansen, Scott Anthony, Michelle Anthony and John Lucas quit the bands they were in to create their ideal musical outlet. Each member contributes his or her own perspectives and inspirations -- they cite artists such as R.E.M., Teenage Fanclub and Liz Phair -- to form the band's unique sound.

"We just take everything that we love and just MacGyver it to whatever we are listening to," Christiansen says.

"It's more of a natural collaborative process," drummer Lucas says, without resorting to '80s TV references. "We have a base to get started and it just grows right out of that."

Attention is beginning to focus on Capital 8 as well. Not only are they getting noticed by the local press as a premier live local band, but some of the songs on "Reason" are used as bumper music on WTMJ radio's Jeff Wagner Show. One of their biggest successes has come from an unusual place, the Internet. Last spring, the songs "Love In The Title" and "100" spent time in the top 50 of MP3.com's national pop rock charts.

This brush with success has the band eager to take on the corporate music world.

"This a really good time for musicians because now you have your own distribution channel via the Internet," Lucas says. "Record companies are scared of some band like us becoming popular ... why do we need a record company?"

"I don't really see us fitting into that corporate world," Michelle Anthony says, "I like bands that have had commercial success. Are we worth it? We think we are worth it. Is it realistic? I don't know. It is really frustrating to think of your art as a product."

"One of the things we pride ourselves on is the songs," says guitarist Scott Anthony.

The four members of Capital 8 are proud to call Milwaukee their home, though they haul from places like Cincinnati, Kansas City and New York. However, they find that living here causes others to automatically assume the worst about the quality of their music.

"We were playing in Chicago and someone said, 'Wow! You guys are good! I thought you were going to be some crappy Milwaukee band'," Michelle Anthony says. "That was kind of a depressing thing to hear but at the same time there are a ton of bands from Milwaukee that are really great. I think it's easier to get noticed and getting a fan base here than it may be in another city. People from out of state don't have as much respect for this city as we do."

By joining the local Sparkler Records, getting noticed will likely get easier.

"We are striving for is something that is supportive and that can build local bands and have them help each other," Scott Anthony explains. "We are going to try and succeed."

This summer will be a busy one for Capital 8. Their new album, which is being co-produced by Spill's Jack Rodee, is near completion.

"Everybody worked very hard on the first album, but we got to a point where what we could do ourselves wasn't servicing the songs," Scott Anthony says. "(Jack) has taught us a lot. Recording is just as much an art form as the playing and the songwriting."

In addition to the new album, the band is excited to play Summerfest this year, bringing their music to a wider audience.

"We try to have a lot of fun and a good time and hopefully that translates to the audience and they have a good time," Scott Anthony says.

Christiansen considers The Big Gig one of the band's greatest accomplishments. "To celebrate, we are going to play a bunch of '70s disco covers," he boasts. Michelle Anthony retorts, "We don't want them to come if they think we are going to play a bunch of '70s disco covers."

Capital 8 play Summerfest their own way. See them do it, Wed., July 3, at noon, at the Piggly Wiggly Music Market.

Visit Capital 8 on the Web at www.capital8.com.