NIGHT LIFE THE CLUB SCENE : Hunk of Chunk : Local surfers and veterans of the Tumors and Hidden Agenda now play solid, eclectic rock. They’ll be with the Mudheads Sunday.

Chunk rock. What a name, and what a concept. This local quartet mostly performs according to Webster’s words--”a short, thick, solid piece”--except they play loooong, thick solid pieces of rock ‘n’ roll. People have reportedly even danced to those pieces.

You’ll get your chance to glimpse a hunk of chunk this Sunday afternoon at the Chaparral Club in Ventura. Also on the bill will be perhaps the best band in Ventura, the Mudheads.

Despite the fact that the Chaparral Club spells its own name wrong on the bar napkins, the place isn’t bad for rockers. It’s all wood inside, so it’s tough to break anything except yourself. There’s a pool table. Outside, there’s a patio, where barbecued animal chunks will be on the grill, right next to the horseshoe pit. The place has even survived the Raging Arb experience and still stands. So what else is there to do on a Sunday afternoon?

The hunks of Chunk include Nate Rudolph on guitar, Walter Stowe on vocals, Michael Dunmire on drums--former Ventura High School dudes, one and all. Mark Jones (who prefers to be called Lock), is the bass player. He went to Buena High, also in Ventura, and reports that he has a substantial collection of “Married With Children” episodes on video.

Chunk music is sort of melodic thrash rock--direct from the garage to you. They’ve got the beat that grabs your feet by the throat and makes them move. The band has about 10 or so original songs and a tape is threatened. So Chunk isn’t yet a household word (Chunk N’ Roses?) is yet another good local band.

In a recent interview at the band’s posh downtown practice facility, Chunk members agreed to discuss the life and times of their favorite band.

How often does Chunk play?

Walter: We practice two or three times per week and play about one or two times a month. We’ve only played nine or 10 times, so you haven’t missed much.

How would you describe the local music scene?

Lock: There are a lot of good bands, but also a lot of the talent remains obscured. They should be playing at the Ventura Theatre. They should have a local band night there every week.

Walter: Some of it is apathy on the part of local club owners. And there’s no cooperation among the musicians. There should be some sort of community of artists, but there are too many petty ego trips. Ventura is a real cozy place if you want to play here and learn your chops, but you’ve got to get on the road to make it. Like the Mudheads and Something For Nothing. Those bands are great. They should pack it up, leave their girlfriends and get to L.A. and go for it. The Mudheads just get better every time I see them. But it’s a dead-end scene here that doesn’t support itself. Look at it--even Raging Arb is breaking up. It’s a great environment to create in, but it seems like Ventura is a big secret.

Mike: But the surf’s been real good here.

Lock: And we all surf, anyway.

Describe Chunk rock.

Nate: That’s a tough one. It’s a mixture of all types of music--funk, punk, disco, new wave, heavy metal, hip hop. But no country.

What would you say if I told you that every band sounds like either R.E.M., Guns N’ Roses or the Red Hot Chili Peppers?

Nate: A lot of bands try to sound like other bands to make a name for themselves. We want to create our own sound. Every band in the world takes things from other bands. When I do, I twist it around so much, you can’t tell.

Mike: I like the lyrics and the way Walter uses his voice. When you hear us once, you want to hear us again because it’s interesting. You try and figure out the lyrics.

Is it true? Did people dance at a Chunk show?

Walter: They did when we opened for Spencer the Gardener at the Beach Shack in Santa Barbara. No one danced the first two songs, then during the third song, a couple of people got up. Then it just kept building, and by the end of the night, we had won the crowd over.

How did Chunk get started?

Walter: We got together about six months ago. At first, it was Nate and I but we had a lot of combinations because a lot of people wanted to be in the band. Then we got my old bass player, Mark. We used to be in a punk band called Tumors back in 1978--back when Cirith Ungol was starting. Then from 1982 to 1986 or so, Mark and I had an electronic band called Hidden Agenda. We all came from diverse musical backgrounds. Anyway, Chunk’s old drummer moved to Hollywood, and we put up an ad at Heck’s Music and we got Mike about three weeks ago.

Mike: Man, you guys are fast.

What would be your dream gig?

Nate: I think with Nirvana or the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Walter: In front of the Top Hat in Ventura.

What’s the best and worst thing about being in a band?

Nate: It’s the worst when you go to play and pack the place and they pay the whole band 25 bucks. Music is a good, emotional stress release.