Detroit may have a lot to answer for -- Faygo soda, Kid Rock and Iggy Pop's constantly bare, leathery chest -- but the Dirtbombs are one thing we won't hold against the Motor City.

The hard-rocking, hard-touring band started recording in 1995, as a side project of the Gories' Mick Collins. Known for creating punk with soul influences -- or soul with punk influences, depending on whom you're talking to -- the band has traveled all over the world.

Four full albums later, the Dirtbombs are making their second trip to Indy this year, opening for TV on the Radio at the Vogue. When you catch the band Friday, watch for Ko Melina, the band's former bassist, now fuzz guitarist. Melina bounces around the stage with an unparalleled energy. We caught up with her in the midst of the tour.

You guys are always touring. What's that like?

Ko Melina: It's great. It's great and it's horrible at the same time. We get to do what we love the most every day. But at the same time it separates you from normal life.

Do you all get along pretty well?

Yeah. It's definitely an exercise in learning how to deal with people. After a few years you get to the point that you learn to deal with everyone pretty well.

What kind of vehicle are you touring around in?

A Dodge 15-passenger van.

How is that with the gas prices?

Horrible. Last week, we were down in North Carolina. And a pipeline got messed up. There was no gas anywhere.

How do you keep your energy up when you're on tour and not sleeping or eating well?

I have no idea. Sleeping when you can sleep. Eating when you can eat. We're opening these shows and they're earlier. The big thing is eating. It's hard to eat late. You kind of have to time your eating.

We were impressed last time we saw you guys (in Indy) -- when you hopped off the stage and worked your merch table. Why do you do your own merch?

We're crazy. We have had people do our merch in the past. These tours we've been supporting -- we just kind of want to save money and cut corners a little bit. We can do it ourselves. It does give you a good chance to meet people.

You're playing guitar with the band now. Why did you switch from bass?

It's a baritone guitar. I don't know. There's a lot more you can do with it. There's a higher octave you can do with it.

You kept your Fender Mustang bass though, right?

I still have my Mustangs and they're all sitting at home and enjoying some time off. My Mustang is very, very happy because he got !some time off after touring all those years.

You're a "Flight of the Conchords" fan. Who is your favorite Conchord?

Brett. He's just so cute. There's that episode -- you know the Bowie episode where he's feeling all bad about himself ..... I'm a huge Brett fan.

What's on your iPod?

It's kind of weird because I have this thing where I get hooked into one thing and then I get sick of it and can't listen to it anymore. I've been listening to all the Spiritualized stuff. When you're touring with a band (the Dirtbombs toured with Spiritualized earlier this summer) you'd think you'd get sick of them and wouldn't want to listen to them.

The Dirtbombs and TV on the Radio

Where: The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave.

When: 7 p.m. doors open; 8 p.m. show.

Cost: $20/advance; $22/day of.

Info: Tickets are available at Indy CD and Vinyl in Broad Ripple, the Vogue box office, and online at www.ticketmaster.com.