It was 1989, and then-high-schooler Christopher Stearman was writing a report on nationalized versus privatized medicine. Stearman interviewed his doctor dad, who had strong opinions on the insurance companies were "screwing everything up."

"It's a fucking circus," he told his son, "it's like a fucking medicine circus."

Thanks to his vociferous father, Stearman already had a name picked out when he started forming a band In 2002: Medicine Circus. And displaying his dad's same disdain for the establishment, Stearman committed to maintaining the "u" in music.

"I think we in the band all care about being human more than rock stars; being in rock and roll but definitely not of it," he says. "We just want to rock out and live, be human."

The band's mission for humanity is manifested by their generosity. Not only will they give you a free copy of their latest album "Dark Flight" upon request, but they're also likely to give you -- and accompanying bands -- gifts at live shows.

"At Christmas, I try to go shopping at Savers and DI and buy interesting things for our audience," he says. "If we play during Sundance, I try to find used DVD's to give away."

"At Showdown to Austin shows, I made awards or bought flowers for every band we played with at each venue," Stearman continues. "I bought second-hand trophies, spray painted records gold and put the competing bands' names on them, then gave them away during our sets."

Read more about the band that keeps on giving in the following interview with Medicine Circus ringleader Christopher Stearman.

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How would you describe your current music?

Dirty alternative rock

What are some of the band's accomplishments?

Seven releases, songs on the X-Box video game "Amped 2," made it to the last show of City Weekly's Showdown to Austin (one of four finalists). And we've been around a long time and draw pretty consistently.

Craziest onstage moment:

Most of our shows are pretty cool. Ben kicks over his amp sometimes, I've been known to go shirtless and sometimes we just play so fucking good it feels incredible. It feels right, we're slamming and it sounds killer. Live is killer. One girl dislocated her knee while rocking to Medicine Circus. One minute rocking, the next she's in the ER. To that girl, if you're reading this, sorry! We hope your knee is better!

Where do you want to take this project?

Where I've always wanted to take it, GOOD. I want MC to be good, first and foremost. Whatever happens after that doesn't concern me. Right now, I believe we are good. Good recording artists, good live performers, good songwriters. I think everyone in the band is happy with what we've done and who we are.

Are you all trained musicians?

Yeah, I guess. I mean, Ben and I know quite a bit of theory. Brian works his ass off and took lessons for a long time and Justin can keep up just fine.

You call your music "alternative." Do you relate more with Alice in Chains or Pearl Jam?

Alice in Chains because they're dark and use the minor scale -- a lot like us, but we don't de-tune to E-flat.

I like "dark." At least right now. Maybe later I/we will write pop crap, but right now it seems right to be loud, rock and play in E-minor. I mean, we have a song called "Fireflies;" the chorus lyric is "even if you die, it's alright." Dark.

What don't our readers know about you?

I sometimes have a deep desire to eat clouds. I know they would taste delicious if I could just get a bite. I also probably like climbing and skating more than playing music, but music has a beloved and intimate place in my heart that I need to live.

Ben has a blind pug that is a very sweet dog.

Brian loves haunted houses even when it's not Halloween.

Justin has tattoos of vintage Nintendo characters around his arm.

Also, I truly love my band. Seriously, they are my brothers. I hope they love me too or at least like me, I think they do.

Which local venues do you think are perfect for your kind of music?

Urban Lounge or Liquid Joe's. Honestly, any place that has slamming sound and you can get a beer without waiting 20 minutes. Good bathrooms are a plus.

What are you working on now?

Nothing, it's nice. We're playing songs from our last release, "Dark Flight," and giving a copy to anyone who wants one -- not selling, giving. We will give our CD's away until they are gone. We practice to keep our set tight, but it's mainly just a quick set run and then we're out. We jam a little because we've started adding quite a bit of improvisation to our set.

Your discography:

"EMPTY" (2001); "Lost In Lux" (2002); "Content" (2003); "Bottle Rockets of Emotion" (2005); "I Wish This Were an Eight Track" (2006); "Cinder and Ashes" (2007); "Dark Flight" (2009)

What else do you want our readers to know?

Sometimes I play Medicine Circus songs solo/acoustic. I wish more people would come see me because it seems pretty cool.

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You Should Go: Medicine Circus

The band includes Christopher Stearman, vocals and rhythm guitar; Brian Dove, drums; Justin, bass guitar; Benny, lead guitar.

Live Show

featuring Medicine Circus

When » Fri., Nov. 6 at 10 p.m.

Where » Liquid Joe's, 1249 E. 3300 South in Salt Lake City

Tickets » $5 at the door, or e-mail www.myspace.com/medicinecircus for free tickets.