There are certain things you just come to expect from a Clarks show. Members of the audience will throw cigarettes on the stage while the band plays "Cigarette." Chants of "Let's go Pens," will echo from the crowd, and every female in attendance will try to make her way to the front of the stage to get a better glimpse of lead singer Scott Blasey.

While the Clarks and Clarks fans alike just can't seem to get enough of these "sure things," both sides will be fulfilled next week as the group makes its first appearance in State College for 2002.

The Clarks will be playing at Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., on Wednesday. The show is all ages and tickets cost $10. Doors will open at 8 p.m. Although the Clarks frequently play at the Crowbar during the school year, it's obvious these Pittsburgh boys have not worn out their welcome there. Shows usually sell out days before the performance and fans are packed to the walls to enjoy the classic rock and roll sound the Clarks are known for belting out.

As many loyal fans have noticed, however, the band's tour schedule was particularly light during the latter half of 2001. Producer Justin Niebank (John Hiatt, Eric Clapton, Blues Traveler), who also worked with the Clarks to create their previous album Let It Go, has been collaborating with the band in Nashville, Tennessee to record a new album. The album is to be released later in 2002.

Prior to the release of Let It Go in June 2000, the Clarks used their live performances to showcase a bit of what was to come on the album. Playing songs that were not yet released raised anticipation of the album and familiarized the fans with the songs. When the record finally came out, the response was great and many fans already knew the songs by heart.

Many Clarks fans expect the band to introduce some of the new material the members have been working on at the show. "I think it's a good idea for a band to introduce fans to the new material they are working on," said Jill Burdick (junior-English). "The more familiar people are with the music, the more fun the live shows are. At the last show I was at, the Clarks played some old favorites plus some songs that will probably be on the new album."

Opening for the Clarks will be the Buzz Poets, another Pittsburgh-based band. They released their fourth, self-titled album.