“I’ve got plans for a big future,” singer Matt Dunehoo repeats like a mantra during the tune “Big Future” off Doris Henson‘s latest CD.

Even if the lyrics are meant to be dispensed with irony, it must be getting harder these days for the group to ignore the song’s implication. The Kansas City/Lawrence act has become an industry buzz band of late, thanks in part to spending four weeks in June and July touring with ex-Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan.

“It was surprisingly easy to win over audiences,” says Dunehoo of the opening slot. “That had a lot to do with the fact the audiences were of a different ilk than we’re used to playing for – that difference being they were more mainstream, and they were more susceptible to suggestion than your average, jaded, bar-type indie rocker.”

Despite the crowd’s open arms, Dunehoo and the rest of Doris Henson didn’t exactly get to pal around with the reputedly reclusive Corgan.

“He pulled me aside once in D.C. after our second show and was very laudatory of the band and seemed enthusiastic to have us on the tour,” Dunehoo recalls. “That was really all I needed, and that’s pretty much all I got (laughs).”

Doris Henson members include Matt Dunehoo, left, Mike Walker, Wes Gartner, Byron Collum and Jamie Zoeller.

After signing with D.C.-based label DeSoto Records, which resulted in the March release of “Give Me All Your Money,” it meant the vibrant, somewhat psychedelic, art-pop act was sent out on the road. Doris Henson embarked on a tour opening for Dismemberment Plan singer Travis Morrison’s new project. Then that immediately segued into the Corgan gig, which shuffled Doris Henson to both coasts and Canada.

“It was pretty cool to get the star treatment,” says Mike Walker, who holds the unlikely role of trombonist in the outfit.

“The last show we played on the Travis Morrison tour, we got there and they had a loaf of bread and cold cuts and stuff. We were like, ‘This is awesome!’ Because no place had done that when you’re playing bars. After that, the next night it’s this catered meal with catfish and potatoes. And we had our own dressing room. It was one of those things where you enjoy it while you got it.”

Different look

The five members of Doris Henson have not only crafted a distinctive sound, but they’ve also unwittingly stumbled upon a unique look. Their photos suggest the appearance of a few Urban Outfitters models rubbing shoulders with a couple of insurance claims adjusters.

In that respect, they’re like Cheap Trick for the indie rock crowd.

Walker says, “On this last tour, we were out in the lobby of some place we played and this guy comes up to me and says, ‘Man, you were awesome. You totally didn’t look like you were in that band, but you were.'”

While Dunehoo dismisses the Cheap Trick analogy, he says he’s quite aware of the five-piece’s image.

“There definitely ISN’T a distinctive look to the band, and that’s kind of what sets us apart,” he says. “When you go down to South By Southwest (Music Festival) and you see bands walking around on the street together, all these other bands look like everyone is in At the Drive-In.”

Although Doris Henson lists itself as a Kansas City act, most of the members have various connections to Lawrence.

Dunehoo graduated with a journalism degree from Kansas University in 2001. Walker and drummer Wes Gartner both attended KU before moving to Kansas City. Guitarist Jamie Zoeller still lives in Lawrence, where he tends bar at The Bourgeois Pig.

Each of the musicians (who also include bassist Byron Collum) have enjoyed respectable careers in previous local groups. Giants Chair, Proudentall, The Norman 360 and Son Venezuela are just a few of the area notables with which the performers have been associated.

“We’ve managed to secure stronger connections in the music world than any of our other bands did,” Dunehoo says, “namely a booking agent, a publicist and a record label.”

Who is she?

Dunehoo claims the ultimate goal in Doris Henson’s big future is “to live off making music.”

Although the members still work day jobs, high-profile tours and respectable college airplay is helping them toward that aim.

Members of the Kansas City/Lawrence band Doris Henson recently released their DeSoto Records debut, Give

The recent success has also helped alleviate some of the initial confusion caused by the band’s moniker, whose name was inspired by Dunehoo’s aunt.

“You always have to field the question of ‘Who is she?’ But (we’re getting that) less and less,” Walker confesses.

The trombonist says it’s mainly just a minor inconvenience these days when searching to see whether his band’s CD is in outlying record stores when Doris Henson is one the road.

He says, “What I found is you have to search in both the D and the H sections.”