David Klein just quit his job to be in a rock band. And the band hasn’t even put out a full album.

This may seem like a risky move, but once you’ve heard more about San Francisco’s Birdmonster, you’ll know it was the right thing to do.

Birdmonster has only been together in full form for a couple of years, but it has already played with Death Cab For Cutie, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Hot Hot Heat and even the White Stripes.

The band’s first album is slated to come out in mid-April. Until then, the musicians will be riding the wave of their three-song self-titled debut.

“”We’re not scared at all,”” Klein said. “”This is the first time we have a chance to really put all the time in the music we want.””

Three of the four members of Birdmonster have known each other since college, when they played in an instrumental progressive rock garage band. A few years ago, they decided to switch gears completely and form Birdmonster, which sounds more like Modest Mouse and The Pixies than Pink Floyd.

From then on, Birdmonster made it a goal to put out its first record and make sure it played as many live shows as it can.

“”Whenever someone sees us live, usually people come back. It’s rare when someone sees us once,”” Klein said.

Conflict arose when the band had to turn down an offer to hang out and drink with Death Cab For Cutie in order to go play one of its shows.

“”We’re a band; our job is to play shows and write. If one of us was having open heart surgery, we’d probably cancel the show,”” Klein said.

The band has had to turn down some high-priority shows in order to record its newest record, however. Klein said Birdmonster prefers not to choose between playing live and recording, but it’s a priority to get the album out.

“”The only obstacles are really making sure that we want to make every song the best it can possibly be,”” Klein said.

Besides, things can happen while you’re touring. During a previous show, one band member hit a tambourine so hard that it exploded into the audience and hit a girl on the head. The band had to go and apologize after the show and give her some band memorabilia as consolation.

“”We felt really bad,”” Klein said. “”He was smashing it everywhere, and it just kind of blew up.””

Hopefully, Birdmonster will be able to “”blow up”” as well. With the existence of online downloading and the Internet, Klein said the band has just as many fans in London as it has in San Diego. He takes a laidback stand on illegal downloading, saying that it’s one of the reasons the band is popular in the first place.

“”It doesn’t anger me at all. It’s a two-way street. Downloads are great because you get more people to hear your music,”” Klein said. “”I care about the people that are going to be coming to the shows. I think that’s what it’s about.””

Birdmonster will be playing a 21-plus show with the Heavenly States on Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door.

CD in changer: Les Savvy Fav

Favorite Movie: “”The Royal Tenenbaums””

Last food eaten: pasta

Celebrity Dream Date: Selma Hayek or Sarah Silverman

Item of clothing: Flying Spaghetti Monster T-shirt