The Kennewick alternative rock group In Shining Armor is not your typical rock band. They don't demand the limelight but the three members do ask that their pizzas be cut into nine pieces.

"We ordered some pizza on the internet and we specifically asked that they cut it in nine slices and they did not deliver nine," guitarist and lead singer Aaron Nelson said.

It was only recently they had to split pizzas three ways -- with the return of their original bass guitarist Pat Anthony. Nelson and drummer Trent Rucker said goodbye to Anthony when he left the band in 2003 to attend Washington State University in Pullman. Anthony later relocated to Las Vegas and recently moved back to the Tri-Cities.

"Pat and I took a guitar class in our freshman year of high school and that's where we started the band," Nelson said. "But it became officially In Shining Armor when (Anthony) left."

The band went through several bassists and put out an EP in 2004 called Deus Ex Machina. Now that Anthony rejoined the group, they are in the process of lining up some local shows and recording a new album.

The group's sound is mellow electric. Nelson's bluesy voice works well with the soft rock sound. They are playful with each other and just love to play, whether that be in front of a large crowd or inside a garage.

"As big of a city as it is and the number of people that are here, the lack of entertainment and out-of-town attention that we get is kind of annoying," Rucker said. "I would like it if there was more out of town entertainment."

Their love-hate relationship with the Tri-City area is what fuels them to be better musicians. They are proud to represent the Northwest, yet joke about finally getting out.

In the meantime, the group is working on perfecting their songs. While some are about that Nelson might be psychotic, the rest are usually about girls.

Just don't expect them to be your knights in shining armor. Nelson admitted the band name is from a Magic Eyes poster he's had since he was 9 years old.

"I've had it on my wall and it's titled 'In Shining Armor' and it's been there on my wall my entire life and I just kind of looked at it one day and was like 'It's a good title -- that'll work,' " he said.

For more on the band, go to www.myspace.com/inshiningarmor.