Two alumni will grace the stage of the Lincoln Theatre Sunday — Bryan Smith, drummer, and Kat Whitaker, guitarist, of tHE.DESIGN, a “radio-friendly” pop/rock band that has a “danceable” and “upbeat sound,” according to Smith. Although bands today stick to a particular sound, tHE.DESIGN’s catalog spans across genres, he said. Its album, titled “Laziest Perfectionist,” is due out in October. tHE.DESIGN’s roots are diverse. Smith and Whitaker, both from North Carolina, play alongside guitarist Paul Zizzo, from New York, keyboardist Risa Patterson, from Delaware, and Mani Magube, from Tanzania. The band’s name, which came from Smith’s “analytical” style and Whitaker’s design background, easily appealed to them. Smith said they’re keyed up about giving back to that background. The members of tHE.DESIGN remember how it was like to be a college student, Smith said, relating a story about an electrical engineering class in which his professor spoke so quickly and used such complicated vocabulary that he had to take the class all over again. He added they are eager to work with 88.1 WKNC to give back to their alma mater. tHE.DESIGN, signed with Unmistakable/Universal Records, is the “same band playing different sounds,” Smith said. It is more about “being happy” and having “lots of energy.” When you come to one of the band’s shows, you will find a show full of “melodies” with “energy and dynamic,” he added. The band will share the stage with Your Vegas and Lakeland. And in the Information Age, the band isn’t just heard locally — the Internet gives their sound a “world-wide reach.” “Life is a lot better with music,” Smith said.