They might look like a rock band, but at heart, Great Big Sea is a traditional Newfoundland band.

"Our goal is to make the fans happy," says Bob Hallett, the guy who plays everything that singer Alan Doyle and guitarist Sean McCann don't.

"I know that sounds Tony Robbins, but it's true because it's part of the tradition of Newfoundland's music to make grim circumstances lighter with a jaunty tune. Good music for hard times."

Good times or bad, it's always a good time for the three boys from St. John's, who wrap up their yearlong 150-date tour for their jauntiest, and biggest-selling album ever -- Fortune's Favour -- at the Civic Centre on Saturday.

Working with producer Hawksley Workman was "infectious fun," says Hallett.

"He has no boundaries, no musical prejudices. He pushed us out of our routine and back into our creativity. Fortune is our most bombastic pop record ever. And our most successful."

It's a win-win situation. Everyone's happy. The fans love the show and the band's thrilled that they finally get to go home.

But for the first time in their 11-year history, the band has no immediate collective plans for GBS. The three members have their own projects.

Lead singer Alan Doyle heads to England for six months to play a minstrel named Alan O'Dayle in Ridley Scott's adventure Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett.

Doyle met Crowe at a gig in 2004 and the pair became friends, even playing on Crowe's album.

In the meantime, McCann is doing a solo record and Hallett, a former journalist, plans to finish recording his own material and complete freelance writing jobs on business management while updating the band's blog.

Surprisingly articulate, Hallett has a love for journalism, but doesn't miss his former job, editing the Newfoundland Herald.

"It was the most negative environment I've ever worked but I liked it. One hundred thousand people could love what you were doing and you wouldn't hear from them. It was always the two or three people who disagreed that you would hear from.

"It's the direct opposite with GBS. Every time we play we get such an enthusiastically happy response.

"Playing can be an incredible visceral experience," he adds.

"Every night has the potential to be brilliant or a nightmare. The challenge is to make each night sound like your last night. When playing is a passion, you have the chance to make songs you've played thousands of times sound new."