by Stuart Levine

Seattle's vibrant music scene, from Nirvana to Pearl Jam to Alice in Chains, has permeated rock fans throughout the country. Add kick-ass rock 'n' rollers The Long Winters to that impressive list, who are making inroads in Southern California, or at least on "The O.C."

The single "Fire Island, AK" will be featured in the second episode of the season, taken off the band's latest 11-song album, Putting the Days to Bed (Barsuk Records). It's The Long Winters' third release, following 2003's "When I Pretend to Fall" — in which New York Times critic Neil Strauss called "smart, catch, near perfect indie rock" — and its debut album, The Worst You Can Do Is Harm.

The band (Nabil Ayers on drums, Eric Corson on bass, multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Rotham and frontman John Roderick on guitar, piano and lead vocals) is appreciative of the exposure that "The O.C." will provide. There's nothing like garnering the attention of a TV program with a viewing (and music buying) audience of more than 3 million.

"Nabil says his favorite characters are Summer and Marissa but I suspect that's just because they're foxy girls," says Roderick, who formed the band in 2001 and is currently in Europe touring to support the new album. "I don't actually watch TV that much but I've always tuned into 'The O.C.' when my friends' bands were on, so I've seen some episodes and enjoyed their take on indie culture."

Roderick credits "The O.C." viewers with having an open ear, and accepting different genres of music. There's tons of flavors available — hip-hop and rap dominate the teen scene, though Roderick thinks rock is more popular than some might let on — and The Long Winters' aim is to sway viewers toward appreciating rock as part of their music experience.

"I'm always surprised at how many young people are actually into rock music," he says. "The best music, no matter the genre, has to have something to say. …People looking for good music should never confine themselves to one style, otherwise they'll miss out on too much."

The album, which Roderick produced and calls "simple," took about a month to put together. It's a multi-layered blend of quiet, desperate ballads with full-out guitar slinging. Roderick's influences are constantly changing, often depending upon who he's listening to at the moment, or who he's on tour with. Bands that shape his musical identity include They Might Be Giants, Nada Surf, the Pernice Brothers and ZZ Top.

And, he's hoping, The Long Winters will affect how other young singer-songwriters approach their craft as well. "I definitely think fans of 'The O.C.' will appreciate (our music). My voice doesn't appeal to everyone, but the more adventurous people will find a lot in the songs, I think."