Papadosio is a prog-rock band at its core, but take a closer look; it is so much more than that. The Athens, Ohio-founded quintet could quite easily have tailored its sound for ignorant audiences, but if you want your music to say something, actually spread a message, you gotta go big.

So here goes: Papadosio is folktronic prog-rock fusion with a twist of jam and an eyedropper of psychedelic dance. It’s utter insanity, the kind you find at Oregon Country Fair. And far out there in the wild gray yonder between those meandering grooves, Papadosio offers food for thought. The band’s 2012 release, To End the Illusion of Separation (T.E.T.I.O.S.), stands as something of a mission statement. Says the band’s website, “The album is a call for people of all stripes to reject artificial barriers of wealth, class and creed and come together under the flag of humanity.”

So yeah, they’re kinda hippied out, but at least they’re creative, and that quote up there actually sums up the feeling you get when you hear the badass tunes.

As is customary for jam bands (even jam bands with this crazy sound), Papadosio plays live like it’s is going out of style. This tour alone, they’re hitting well over 30 venues and festivals, including Michigan’s Electric Forest Festival in late June. The group is set to travel fucking everywhere. From Scranton, Pa., to Louisville, Ky., to Eugene, they’re snaking the nation like a slalom skier with unique music taste and not enough time on his hands.

Papadosio is an original; there’s no denying that.

The Papadosio dance fest begins with openers The Main Squeeze at 8 pm Wednesday, March 19, at McDonald Theatre; $15 adv., $20 door.