''In a songwriting sense, Dave has evolved," drummer Taylor Hawkins told the Denver Post in a recent interview. "His lyrical content has become a bit more direct and personal, and the song structure and arrangements have gotten a little broader and more interesting.''

Again, that growth, which is evident on the nearly year-old "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace," is a condition that can make once-fervent fans scream "Sellout!"

"The important thing for us to make records and songs are good," Mendel said. "The feeling within in the band is that we're getting close. We feel like the best record we can make is getting close."

Though the band seldom writes during tours, Mendel said the group has "half a record" in the can. "Usually, we have about 30 songs and use about 10," he said with a laugh. "So, we'll see what happens.

"Right now, the bulk of the touring behind this record ('Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace') is over. Everyone is relieved. We're looking forward to not doing anything for six months."

First, however, there is the Harley-Davidson show, which will be followed by shows in Toronto, a couple at Red Rocks outside of Denver and a slot at the Austin City Limits festival.

"We're always working to make our live shows better," Mendel said. "We started in clubs and moved up to arenas and it's a learning process. It changes every step up.

"It's a whole other challenge doing (big outdoor) shows. You feel a responsibility to compensate for the size of the venue. I know Dave (Grohl) does.

"You have to try to project to people more and you have to play to the (TV) cameras. It's weird. You run into a problem of it being just a TV show for the people in the back. One thing we do to combat the size is to have a second stage in the middle of the venue with a ramp. Dave goes back and forth. We do an acoustic segment out there and all of a sudden the people with not-so-great seats have great seats."

When the show ends, many in the audience will be sitting on motorcycle seats. At the time of the interview, Mendel wasn't sure whether the band's payment would include new motorcycles.

"That would be pretty good swag," he said. "Can you make that happen?"