Looking ahead: The Wallies talk returning to the studio, tour

On a sunny Sarasota Saturday, the members of Sarasota-based band, The Wallies, stand arranged in a circle as they begin their weekly practice. As the amps hum to life, their brand of pop-sensible surf rock soon fills the room. Their songs combine elements of garage rock, early punk, and more recently, elements of early '60s pop rock and soul to create a fresh take on a blend of familiar sounds.

Their newest EP, "Sugar," released in December, embodies the natural progression of the band's sound since releasing its first EP, "Cream," in July of 2012 and has drawn comparisons to bands like Weezer and The Arctic Monkeys.

"I think we sound like a garage band," says singer and guitarist, Neven Skoro. "There's some old punk in there, some surf rock, and just some good, old-fashioned rock-and-roll."

Formed in 2010 by Skoro and fellow guitarist, Myles Edwin (with some convincing on Skoro's part), the group recently added Tony Vargas as its drummer and Ryan Hurst on bass.

While tracking "Sugar," at Science Recording Studio in Sarasota, Edwin says the group had a more clear idea of their desired sound before they went in — a lesson learned from their first studio experience.

"When we were recording "Cream," we went in the studio and basically wrote parts in the studio," he says. "That was a problem, and it was very expensive. This time, we were more comfortable with the material, and I think it's fitting of our sound."

The band is currently writing new material for a new album to be recorded this year, which they hope to fund through a Kickstarter campaign, and they hope to hit the road and gain more exposure with their high-energy live act.

"We need to tour get ourselves out there and present our music in non digital way," says Edwin. "A band's live act is always completely different, so our goal for this year is to play in front of as many people as possible."