Usually when bands move out west, it is for hopes of fortune and fame. But for Hermosa Beach-via-North Adams, Mich., outfit Trenchtown, they merely enjoyed the weather more than back home. “It took us a while (a span of over three years between 2005-2007) to get here,” drummer Mike Bartlett says. “But we’re hear and enjoying every minute of it.”

As they should. When they first started, Trenchtown were initially called Maryz Eyez. The outfit had several successful jaunts on the Vans Warped Tour and had several hits on XM Radio.  The band formed in 1996, when Bartlett, Eric Wagler (vocals) and Mike Nichols (rhythm guitar) got the itch to play after hearing the alt-rock movement that was all over local radio. “Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Everclear and Green Day—bands like that are what got us moving and motivated us,” Burlett says. The trio started as junior high school friends without dreams of rock stardom.

“We’ve never cared about becoming filthy rich or becoming rock stars, but when going to work every day consists of writing and playing music then we have achieved our goals,” said Wagler.

Despite this success, the band had trouble distinguishing itself, as demonstrated with the ambiguity of its name. “People thought we were a metal band,” Bartlett recalls. “We had to do something about it.”

When the band added Ryan Wagler and Greg Bolenbough in 2001, their sound began to deviate from punk-grunge to reggae-dub-ska music. From 2005-2007, the band decided to relocate to the town that would be the most ideal for a band in their genre: Southern California.

Since they’ve relocated to Hermosa Beach, they’ve had success in expanding their fanbase. With the help of Biohazard’s guitarist and producer Billy Graziadei, Trenchtown has released a full-length and an EP. Their music has been a staple on KROQ’s Locals Only show, which has helped their profile in their new home. For the past five weeks, the band has been in the Top 5, which is no small feat.

The band’s plans for 2011 are simple: write, record, tour, which is usually a formula for success. With a strong fan base, radio play and a chance to get on the next Warped Tour, don’t be surprised to see these blue collar rockers on the big stage in the near future.