The Slick Olde Bishops hope to use their unique blend of ska and reggae along with influences of metal and jazz to create a sound not to be missed when they play tonight at the Co-Op, 319 E. Calder Way, along with King Django and No Offense. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

The SOBs have been together for four years. First starting out when the band members were in high school in the Pittsburgh area, all six members now attend Penn State — four at University Park and two at Altoona campus.

Singer and guitarist Dan Weirauch (freshman-information sciences and technology), keyboardist Mike Thomas (freshman-information sciences and technology), who also plays flugel horn, and drummer Chris Pajak (freshman-science) formed the band in high school. Along with upright bassist Clinton Van Gemert (sophomore-arts) and singer and trombonist Matt Weirauch (junior-computer science), the band recorded its first album, Stomping the Corn, on a shoestring budget near the band members' home.

The album, which was released in December of 1998 on their own label, El Nino Records, is currently very rare with less than 25 copies still available, according to a press release from the band.

One of the songs from that album, "Thar She Blows," received some attention, including being mentioned in a magazine in Japan.

After the addition of trumpeter and percussionist Ryan Miller (junior-biotechnology) the band released its sophomore effort, Gettin' Rowdy, also on El Nino Records, in April of 2000. Gettin' Rowdy was recorded at Version City Studios in New York City by King Django.

It is currently available at City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave., and Arboria Records, 119 E. Beaver Ave., and can also be ordered through any store from Valley Media or online.

A third album is currently in the works and is about halfway finished.

The band cites many artists as influencing their one-of-a-kind style. Among them are Fishbone, Sublime, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Lee Perry and King Django.

The SOBs have played all over the Pittsburgh area and also in Cleveland, New Jersey and New York. The biggest show they ever played was opening for the English Beat at Rosebud in Pittsburgh. Since coming to Penn State, they have also played four dates at Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., opening for other ska acts.

Other career highlights include opening for Royal Crown Revue, appearing live on 105.9 WXDX in Pittsburgh and recording with King Django.

During the peak in ska's popularity during the SOB's first years, the band played around 10 shows a month, but with the underground movement of their genre they're down to two to three shows a month. "If we do a show and don't lose money we're happy," Van Gemert said.

The band is ecstatic to get the chance to play with Django for the first time since he recorded Gettin' Rowdy. King Django's second solo CD Reason is being released on April 24. He was formerly the lead singer and songwriter for Skinnerbox and Stubborn All-Stars and has played with Rancid and Civ.

"He (Django) changed ska music into what it is today," Dan Weirauch said.

Miller added, "He's the only remaining ska figurehead other than the guys who are 80 years old."

As the SOBs look toward the future, their immediate goals are just to stay together and gain as much success as their underground genre will allow them.