CALUMET - When Joe Pascarell and Todd Cohen formed a band more than 20 years ago, they started out just playing music they liked.

Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine they would achieve fame as the founders of The Machine, a band focused on faithfully re-creating Pink Floyd shows that will return to the Calumet Theatre Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

"It was never a conscious decision to make a Pink Floyd band," Pascarell said. "Me and Todd were just frustrated; we'd play in bands all the time and no one seemed to take it as serious as us.

"So we started our own band with people that take it as serious as us and played music that we like."

That music featured quite a bit of Pink Floyd, and an agent saw potential in the band after seeing them at a show.

"An agent heard about us, and told us 'if you learn a little more, you could play a whole Floyd show,'" Pascarell said. "We just loved the music, (so we said OK)."

Using a combination of lights and multimedia, The Machine aims to give an authentic Pink Floyd show while throwing in a few wrinkles of their own. Joining Pascarell and Cohen are 11-year band member Ryan Ball and four-year band member Scott Chasolen.

"We try to bring a little element of what Floyd was initially; they were largely an improvisational band," Pascarell said. "We don't like knowing where every note will be, it keeps the band interesting."

Although they have occasionally played entire albums for their shows, The Machine plays a variety of Pink Floyd's extensive 16-album catalog. Pascarell doesn't mind digging out some deeper Pink Floyd cuts, but also loves the hits that fans enjoy.

"I like it all; I think Pink Floyd's unique in that their hits are as good of songs as their deeper stuff," he said. "I like playing the older stuff because we have a little more leeway, it's not as structured or well-known.

"You launch into 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' and everybody knows it, but you play 'Echoes' and you have a little more leeway."

Having played Bonnaroo, Musikfest and all across Europe, according to a press release, The Machine has certainly honed Pink Floyd's sound over the years. "Rolling Stone," hails them for their "chilling accuracy," while "Spin Magazine" said The Machine "sounds exactly like Pink Floyd." The Machine also has a show planned in April to play with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Pascarell knows the reputation "cover bands" have, but he feels The Machine is more than a mere cover band.

"We've been doing what we've been doing for a long time, and we take it very seriously," Pascarell said. "If you like Floyd, give us a chance; we think you'll enjoy it."

Reserved ticket prices for The Machine are $25 for general public and $23 for theatre members. Tickets are available by phone or by visiting the Calumet Theatre Box Office. Box office hours are Wednesday through Friday noon to 5 p.m. and two and a half hours before showtime. For more information, please call the Calumet Theatre Box Office at 337-2610 or check the Web page at calumettheatre.com.

Zach Kukkonen can be reached at zkukkonen@mininggazette.com.