Some people really have it on the ball.

Freshman AEP major Jon Wright, for example.

Within the last eight months, Wright has published a book of his poetry, called "Peyote in Sanskrit," and produced a CD of music by local bands, "Now Playing in Peoria." Both the book and the CD, as well as several concerts and poetry readings, are projects of Wright's one-man production company, Naked Bums Inc.

"Peyote in Sanskrit," the first Naked Bums project, came out in September last year. Local businesses such as One World Coffee & Cargo carried it for sale on their newsstands, where it enjoyed moderate success among local literati.

"I got a discount for the book from Pip Printing, because my parents were working there," Wright said. He doubts that future Naked Bums publications will be of the same quality, because of printing costs; the next book will probably be saddle-stapled instead of perfect bound.

At the moment, the man behind Naked Bums is "a little burned out" with reading poetry, although he still writes. He isn't fond of most spoken-word performances. "You have to have some kind of inner turmoil going on to make it work," he said, "and I don't see that in most performers."

Wright admits to having a bit of an ego when it comes to his own work.

"I think of my [poetry] as being better than other people's," he said. "Of course, who knows if that's true? But I've resigned myself to the fact that a lot of people don't understand my stuff."

What are his poems about? "Girls," Wright said immediately, laughing. "The problems I have dealing with people. Relationships and how they go wrong. The screwed-up state of the world."

Every now and then he writes a love poem for the current object of his affections. "But usually there's no reciprocation," he said.

While poetry takes a back burner, music is the main focus of Naked Bums activity. Wright, originally from Morton, saw in Peoria an opportunity to provide local talent with an avenue for expression.

"I saw that there were a lot of good bands here, but there was no outlet for them," Wright said. So, at Picture Perfect Studios in Bellevue, he began work on a compilation of the best local music called, appropriately, "Now Playing in Peoria."

Wright prefers not to discuss his finances, but said that loans from several people funded "Now Playing in Peoria." The disc includes songs by local bands like The Neptunes, Hampton Wick and John Toilet. Most bands are included twice.

Among the best of the album is Dollface, which Wright described as "amazing. They're one of the best pop bands I've heard." The band Dismiss, he said, "improved a lot since their demo tape. The lyrics to 'Shrug' really hit home for me."

He also praises Nora Hate's "tremendous energy" and the voice of Fast Food Revolution's lead singer, Jeremy Kerner. But Wright is quick to point out that all of "Now Playing in Peoria" is good.

Boddha

"Boddha isn't a real band," Jon Wright says. "It's basically me and whoever is available to play." Boddha's contributions to the disc, "So You Can Die Easily" and "Arms and Brains Broken," are spoken-word pieces drawn from Wright's poetry. Boddha began last summer when Wright jammed with some musician friends and found that the combination worked. In October, Boddha opened for the Blue Meanies at the Madison Theater. "I just read my poems and tried to align them with the music, get a groove going," Wright says.

The Factory

Dan Hinkley of The Factory describes his group's music as "gothic punk."

"Sort of dark and industrial," said Hinkley, a freshman advertising major. "It's heavy music with scary music -- like you hear in the movie 'Dracula.'"

The band has been together since Hinkley was in high school, adding and changing members along the way.

Although the group is still looking for play dates, current plans have members heading back into the studio to update old and record new music.

Hinkley, along with lead singer Mark Thunehorst and bassist Tim Boniger, writes most of the group's music.

"We perform one cover," said Hinkley. "Otherwise, the others are all originals."

HInkley plays keyboards, and other members include Jason Stoner on guitar, who will be a Bradley freshman in the fall, Jamie Drier on guitar and Anthony Corey on drums.

Juggling a musical pursuit and school at the same time is quite a challenge for Hinkley.

"It's very tough," said Hinkley. "I just transferred in this semester. I try not to work too much. I study during the week and devote weekends to the band."

The "Now Playing in Peoria" CD, along with tapes The Factory have recorded are available at Co-op Records.

The Bugs

Far more appealing than their name, The Bugs are a psychedelic sounding pop/rock group that spans an entire genre, according to group member, Bradley student and guitar and keyboard player Jeff Phelps.

Phelps, a senior TV/radio major, said The Bugs have been around for four or five years.

Current members include Jeff Gregory on guitar and keyboards, Jeremy Kerner on guitar, Brian Gould on bass and Cory Flanigan on drums. Phelps is quick to point out that he and "the other Jeff" have been writing and performing together for the life span of the group.

In between eating, breathing and sleeping, Phelps balances school and his music. "It gets quite busy," said Phelps. "I do school during the week and dedicate weekends to practice and shows. I try to keep 'em separate."

The Bugs will be performing at Bradlyfest in the coming weeks, along with possible play dates at One World and the American Legion Hall.

The Neptunes

For more information, write to: Naked Bums, Inc., P.O. Box 9164, Peoria, IL, 61612-9164.