Stroke 9 [ tickets ]'s tour of mostly college campuses takes a hometown turn this weekend when the Bay Area alt-rock band returns to play the California Music Awards at San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Formerly known as the Bammies, the California Music Awards were originally named for BAM magazine, which went belly-up last year.

Stroke 9 singer-guitarist Luke Esterkyn acknowledged that the local music magazine's demise makes his band's nomination in the Outstanding Debut Album category a little peculiar.

''It's cool because we're from San Francisco and it's nice to get recognized in your hometown, [but] it's a little strange now because BAM's gone," Esterkyn said. "I guess it's kind of unfortunate--I don't know. That magazine never wrote anything about us, so screw 'em.''

For Stroke 9, the California Music Awards--which take place on April 8--come at a time of prosperity. In January, the group swapped a cramped van for the more expansive accommodations afforded by a tour bus. And after the band's steady touring since September, Esterkyn said fans are starting to become better acquainted with more than just their hit single, ''Little Black Packpack.''

''It's something every band goes through with their first single when it gets a lot of airplay," he said. "They [fans] don't put the band together with their songs until there are a couple more songs on the radio.

"I think touring is crucial to establishing a fan base, assuming you have a good-to-decent live band. It's one thing you can do to get fans. If people see you and they're impressed with your live show, you'll have a fan for life. There's something about seeing a band live and having that image in your mind that night of being there.''

Set to play a pair of tunes from the nominated album ''Nasty Little Thoughts,'' Stroke 9 will be among a list of California Music Awards performers that includes national heavyweights such as Smash Mouth, Oleander and Meshell Ndegeocello, as well as an performance by former Third Eye Blind guitarist Kevin Cadogan with his new act, Bully.

In their heyday, the Bammies were as much about being seen as the presentation of awards. That tradition is set to be upheld Saturday, with appearances expected by members of Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Talking Heads, Buckcherry, MC Hammer, Eddie Money and comedian Cheech Marin of television's "Nash Bridges."

Awards at this year's California Music Awards will be presented in 14 categories. The show typically ends with a massive stage-wide jam session. Of that, Esterkyn said, ''I hope they give me a tambourine.''