But once their 9-to-5 jobs have ended, the four members of the rock band [velvet] get together and jam. It adds something to your life other than just working 9-to-5 and going home and watching TV, said Brewer, 27, of Mount Rainier, who plays guitar and sings. The members of [velvet] have been making music together since they attended DeMatha Catholic High School in 1995, with the exception of Farber, who joined the group as a drummer three years ago.

They will release their fourth studio album, Well Thought Out and Well Planned, Friday. They recorded albums, all released independently, in 1996, 1998 and 2001. This album is a big accomplishment for us, said Friendship Heights resident Calvarese, 28, who plays guitar and provides some background vocals. He said the group had been preparing to go back into the studio when their previous drummer left the band.

After Farber joined the group, they wanted to take time to get used to each other s playing styles. We took the time to get everything together. We didn t want to rush into the studio and do something sloppy, he said. Brewer said the six years between their last album and Well Thought Out and Well Planned were spent practicing, playing shows and saving up money to record a good product.

The group recorded their first three albums at Phase Studios in College Park, but former DeMatha classmate Andros Rodriguez, a producer for major bands in New York, produced and mixed their fourth album.