MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) -- Detroit Red Wings forward Darren McCarty is touring these days, but not with his locked-out NHL hockey teammates.

Instead, he's performing with his Detroit-based rock 'n' roll band, Grinder. It plays Friday in Sault Ste. Marie and Saturday in Marquette.

``Things are great with the band,'' McCarty told The Mining Journal. ``I have taken this opportunity while I am not playing hockey to do more with the band. We have been doing a lot of work with Best Buy and with the ESPN video game. The band has been doing a lot of shows. We were at the Roxy (in Los Angeles) last week.

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``It has been a chance for me to explore other avenues that I haven't been able to explore in the past,'' he said.

He says the lockout has been tough on him and the other Wings. NHL owners say they need to control salaries because they lost $273 million in 2002-03 and $224 million last season. The players union disputes the claim.

``It has been difficult more mentally than physically to begin with. I am in a mind frame that I am used to playing and traveling this time of the year,'' McCarty told The Mining Journal. ``It has been an adjustment. It's like an extended vacation.''

While the Red Wings are not playing, McCarty said he and his teammates remain in shape.

``There is a group of us skating around three times a week. Whoever is around (Detroit) at the time gets together,'' he said. ``And I have been skating with some different buddies. I have been coaching my kids' hockey team, too.''