Given the choice of a nickname, most people might consider something that would accentuate their strong attributes.

Clark Kent called himself Superman, because he was, in a manner of speaking. Peter Parker called himself Spiderman because he gained traits similar to those of a spider.

So the reason behind former Pavement guitarist Scott Kannbergâs choosing the moniker Spiral Stairs is, well, one might want to take a dose of psychedelic mushrooms to find out why.

ãIâve partaken in them before, so maybe thatâs why,ä Kannberg said of the Allman Brotherâs diversionary drug of choice.

This is not the first time Kannberg has used the outer limits of psychedelia for a creative advantage. His former band, Pavement, acquired its name after he and a friend took a mushroom-fueled camping trip in Montana in the late Î80s.

The exact reason behind his taking to road fill for ideas may never be told, but shortly thereafter he changed his band name to Spiral Stairs. It comes as no surprise then that the title of Kannbergâs new group, Preston School of Industry, is equally as perplexing.

ãI kind of like mysterious band names,ä Kannberg said. ãI tried to think of one that would really confuse people. Itâs a real place. Itâs an old reform school in California near where I grew up. I used to have a song called ãFor Sale At The Preston School of Industryä that I never recorded. I just really like the name.ä

Kannberg said that his critically acclaimed and successful former band Pavement started to get into a routine because they had been playing together for so long, 11 years or so, and toward the end he had conjured up ideas of going solo but didnât have the guts to step out at the time.

ãIn looking back,ä Kannberg said, ãmaybe I did have it in the back of my mind around the last record, but I just didnât have the confidence to pull it off yet.ä

Free now of excess band members and expectations, Kannberg is able to pursue a whole new musical journey from scratch.

ãIt feels great,ä Kannberg said. ãIt was a little tough in the beginning to get it going. Once I got started it felt great. Itâs a little different. Itâs a lot fresher. This is a new thing that is as exciting as Pavement was. In some ways itâs more exciting just because itâs new people to meet.ä

Kannberg realizes itâs a different musical atmosphere now than when Pavement started out and said he appreciates the new crop of talent that is currently spreading its wings in the music industry.

Kannberg said bands such as the Strokes, the Hives, and the White Stripes are reviving the music industry from the likes of Fred Durst and his cartoonish howls.

ãTheyâre all really good,ä Kannberg said. ãI really like the White Stripes probably the most out of all of them because weâve played shows with them. I like all those bands. They remind me of old bands that I grew up listening to. Itâs good for music to have smart people play music. Itâs when the dumb people take over that it gets a little hard to stomach, but that happens.ä

The world itself is also in a different climate than when Pavement began. Kannberg said that although he doesnât have many post September 11th travel concerns, he still shares many Americansâ fear of sailing miles above the earth in a large metal tube and the process that is supposed to ensure that no foreign objects get brought aboard.

ãIâm still scared of flying,ä Kannberg said. ãItâs just become a lot more inconvenient than it used to be. There are smarter ways to screen people.ä

Bob Dylan was right ÷ the times they are a-changing. What is it then that keeps Kannberg motivated through all of these cha-cha-cha-changes?

ãJust hearing new records all the time that influence me,ä Kannberg said. ãIt just comes kind of natural. Itâs hard to do; you have to work at it to make songs. Itâs just something that I have fun doing.ä

Preston School of Industry plays Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., tomorrow night at 9 p.m. with openers David Dondero and the Gaylords. Tickets are $8. For more information call 622-8848.