Cherry Poppin' Daddies formed in 1989 in Eugene, Ore., in the shadow of grunge music's overwhelming popularity. Lead singer Steve Perry and his best friend, bassist Daniel Schmid, were both in punk bands and shared a passion for swing.

"They had friends of theirs at the University of Oregon write songs for them that combined the smooth sounds of swing with the fast-paced edge of punk, and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies were born," the band's guitarist Jason Moss said.

Although the Cherry Poppin' Daddies seem to be one of the leaders in the rebirth of swing, it is quick to point out it's not just a swing band.

In the July issue of Spin magazine, Perry said, "It's not our mission to be a swing band. I'm not a guy from the '40s. That's why we play ska and use heavy guitars."

"We've experimented with so many styles," Moss said, describing the Daddies sound as "a mixture of punk and swing," and a "cross-breeding of different styles." He said the band incorporates "pop music of a certain kind, more Elvis Costello and early (David) Bowie versus Led Zeppelin."

Moss credits such influences as Costello and old swing music to the band's diverse sound.

Moss, who joined the band in 1992, said he was a fan before he was a member of the group.

"The gigs were always packed," Moss said, remembering band's early days. "The Cherry Poppin' Daddies were basically a Northwest phenomenon, but as they toured more and more, their sound started reaching the East Coast. Soon they were playing to crowds in cities across the country."

When the Daddies first started, the audience was mostly comprised of twenty-something fans. But as it gained popularity and the music reached more people, junior high and high school kids started showing up," Moss said. Now the crowds include a wide range of ages.

"I've seen three generations of one family at one of our shows," Moss said.

The Cherry Poppin' Daddies just began the American leg of its latest tour.

"It's going great," Moss said. "This is the first tour when we're headlining and get to stretch out more. We can relax and settle in and really play."

With all the success swing music has gained within the last year, the Daddies have arrived on the scene just in time to reap the benefits.

"Just two years ago the swing scene was underground," Moss recalled, adding when the band put together its new album, it only expected a few people would buy it.

When the hit single "Zoot Suit Riot" hit the radio and received extensive airplay on MTV, the record took off, climbing up the charts.

"We were kind of in awe, we just couldn't believe it," Moss said. "Totally shocked."

But the Cherry Poppin' Daddies can't deny success now.

"The swing phenomenon was bound to happen," Moss said. "Bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Royal Crown Revue had been selling out shows for awhile. The time was right."

So is swing the "next big thing" or just a passing fad? Moss said he "can't see it getting much bigger than it is now," adding he believes the music is at its peak.

"For some years it was all guitar rock," Moss said.

Moss said he likes the fact that a different sound such as swing can make such an impact.

The Cherry Poppin' Daddies will be perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., with the Pietasters and Big Six.