"You guys are going to have to act like 20 or 30 more people than you actually are," Neo Pseudo announced to the couple dozen people gathered in the HUB Ballroom. "That means you'll have to clap your feet too."

"But multiple personalities are okay too."

As inches of snow were dumped on State College, Amnesty International was busy writing letters and jamming to four local bands at the "Set Them Free" concert Sunday afternoon.

Although the snow may have been responsible for the sparse turn-out, the group was not surprised or disappointed.

"People come in and out," said group member Becky Clever (senior-English). "At write-a-thons, this turn-out is expected."

Increasing awareness of Amnesty International and writing letters for three urgent-action cases involving prisoners of conscience was the concert's purpose, said Beth Zarret (senior-English), the group's president.

Tables were set up outside the ballroom to draw people inside, where information and letter-writing tables lined the back and sides.

But those who didn't want to slosh through the snow definitely missed some great entertainment. Despite the turn-out, Adam's Fault, The Amazing Larrys, Neo Pseudo and Circle of Power put on enthusiastic shows for those scattered in the ballroom.

"I wish there were more people here, but it didn't dampen our spirits," said Glenn Raus, bassist for The Amazing Larrys.

The Larrys, who admitted that they usually weren't awake at that time, jammed long and hard for the small but happy audience and two lone women in Doc Martens who danced throughout the show.

The first band to highlight the event was Adam's Fault, a band that, while new to the local music scene, placed second at IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon's Battle of the Bands.

Covering the B-52's, The Talking Heads and The Beatles' "Back in the USSR" (changing the chorus to "Back in the Commonwealth Independent" to audience cheers), Adam's Fault, an upbeat, pop cover band, was happy to gain the exposure.

"This is a bigger crowd than our first gig," said keyboardist Jason Zanitsch (senior-engineering science). "We've been playing for the same seven people for five months!"

But as Neo Pseudo took the stage, the audience gained a couple members, including three free spirits in their socks who skipped and spun to the band's brand of original reggae-pop.

"I know it's intimidating to dance when there's so much space, but you can feel free to dance up here, and no one will laugh," assured guitarist and singer Mike Biddison.

Neo Pseudo's music and on-stage antics brightened up the tiny audience, by this time mostly composed of the band's followers, Adam's Fault and The Amazing Larrys.

"Mike, don't say constipated on stage," Ed Nardi, the band's drummer, chided over the microphone in reference to a joke he had just made.

"I'd like to make a public apology for saying constipated on stage," Biddison said. "But I would like to say Preparation H."

After Neo Pseudo's set, which began with a song whose chorus aptly echoed, "Nobody's free until we all are free," Circle of Power set up on the floor, inviting audience participation in their show.

"These are bands that have a following of people who are more socially concerned," said Jean Henry (senior-art history), vice president for the Amnesty group.

Because the bands considered the event a good cause, they charged the group little or nothing for their performances, Henry said.

"Plus we get free T-shirts," Raus said.

The small crowd seemed divided between those who came to write letters and those who wanted to see their favorite band for free, but this didn't bother Amnesty members.

"I don't look at it as a negative thing," Henry said. "Just so long as they're aware, look around and see the posters, then that's great."

Although the ballroom seemed larger than ever before and the sounds of people licking envelopes reverberated off the walls, the event accomplished its purpose. About 135 letters were written for the urgent-action cases, Henry said.

And those who owned duck boots and weren't afraid to use them got an afternoon of cool music too.