There may not be a more fitting band name in the entire Columbus music scene: even if you haven’t seen The Town Monster up-close, it’d be hard to ignore their existence.

The dark and heavy synth-pop quartet has given local ears plenty to absorb in the last year and a half: a back catalog of recorded material belying their three-year existence, music videos, not to mention last year’s ambitious 20-minute animated Christmas special, and countless opportunities to experience their cathartic, space-age sideshow in the flesh.

“People are coming out to have a good time; there’s a theatrical element that’s really important,” said guitarist James Allison of The Town Monster’s light-and-video-accented performances. “When I think of seeing a band, you know, you’re in the entertainment industry. It’s your job to entertain. I don’t want to see a bunch of dudes go up there and just play music.”

The band has had a history of being mercurial; they spent the entirety of 2010 releasing monthly EPs, which explored and experimented with their sound at a rapid clip. A whopping total of 44 songs was the finished product, with styles all over the map.

“Seeing the end result of each song was awesome,” said Allison. “It always came out better than I expected it to. We had an idea, we went with it. It’s a way of songwriting that I’ve never really gone about before.”

“The whole thing had kind of a journal feel to it,” added singer and songwriter Nathan Photos.

Though the musicians regard the 2010 catalog as a good exercise, they consider that string of material a thing of the past. October saw them release Bela Lugosi, an EP that they consider to be a more focused effort and a positive step forward.

“In the past, it felt like we had a lot of things on opposite ends of the spectrum,” said Allison. “[Bela Lugosi] feels like it meets more in the middle. There’s still a sort of big pop and dance element but it’s still very dark, very crunchy, and very hard at the same time. It encompasses a lot of the different styles that this band is trying to do.”

The band plans to write and record just as enthusiastically this year, though their releases may stick to an unorthodox, multi-media format.

“People have all these preconceived notions about what musicians do,” said Photos. “It’s like, you put out a full-length album and then you go on tour and then you release a B-side. Because of the way the world works and the way people are consuming media, I don’t think that’s necessary at all anymore. I’m losing interest in the full-length album because so few good ones come out anymore. Everything I’ve been listening to is EPs and singles and stuff, and I discover new artists I like every day. The world is a big place and there’s lots of people doing really cool things.”

Allison feels the presentation of the message is key.

“We are in a unique position that we can put out something that we have to say, but there are so many mediums for us to put that out through.”

Catch The Town Monster at their Third Annual Full Belly Food Drive, 9 p.m. January 20th at Skully’s Music Diner (1151 N High St.). There is no cover charge with a donation of three or more canned goods. For more, visit www.thetownmonster.com.