Although homecoming week doesn’t officially begin until Sunday, it’s a homecoming of sorts for Bicycle Day, Friday night at The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway.

The band, which consists of guitarist and vocalist Andy Herald, guitarist Jer Misiaveg, bassist Elizabeth Hill and drummer Isaac Hill, headlines a show that marks its first live appearance in DeKalb since moving out of state in August.

“It’s Time for a Rock Song,” the band’s six-song, independently released debut EP, merged the amplified guitar attacks of melodic, indie bands Rainer Maria and Superchunk. Its new, full-length, follow-up release treads similar waters on songs like “Carry” and “Racecarnumberseven,” but as Misiaveg and his bandmates put it, “Grade School Weaponry” breaks some new ground, much to their liking.

“The writing is more mature than [our debut EP], and more varied,” Misiaveg told the Northern Star via e-mail, “The songs on ‘Grade School Weaponry’ are more involved; the whole ‘A’ side is still just pop songs, but the ‘B’ side is more unique than anything else we’ve recorded and more interesting.”

Initially inspired by its collective and passionate love for music, the band formed in late 2000 in DeKalb after meeting and moving from the suburbs of Bloomington, Ill. Spending much of its free time writing and rehearsing, Bicycle Day soon began playing live in DeKalb, as well as outlying areas.

“What drew us together is the desire to play and create music with musicians whom you respect,” Misiaveg recalled. “And an addiction to the irreplaceable feeling that comes from playing live music.”

The “addiction” Misiaveg speaks of has brought the quartet to the campus of Madison, Wis., home of the University of Wisconsin.

“I like DeKalb, but I figured that if I was just going to spend my time living and working, rocking and perpetually finishing school, I might as well move around,” Misiaveg said. “I would imagine everyone, if not tied to something, wants to see and experience as many things as possible.”

Because of the surplus of material the band has recorded, Bicycle Day has tentative plans to record a follow-up to “Grade School Weaponry” at year’s end. In the meantime, the band currently is booking shows in anticipation of an extended tour.

“Anyone who doesn’t have a rock band should think about getting one,” Misiaveg said. “They’re easy to come by and lots of fun.”