Ten years ago, they were just your average bar band.

Thousands of shows and five studio CDs later, the Pittsburgh-based Clarks are a growing national touring act with a devoted fan base and a single getting national airplay.

Fortunately for State College, the Clarks haven't forgotten their roots.

The charismatic foursome, fronted by Scott Blasey, will bring their blue-collar brand of rock and roll Wednesday night to the familiar stage of Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave.

Guitarist Rob James said the band is really looking forward to returning to Happy Valley.

"State College is always exciting. It was one of the first college towns we started playing with any regularity," James said, adding that the Crowbar is a fun venue to play.

"Crowbar definitely has a great vibe -- it really represents the state," he said.

The Clarks have been touring extensively since the beginning of the summer in support of their latest album, Another Happy Ending, which was released in June on the indie label Razor & Tie.

The first single from the album, "Hey You," has been in heavy circulation on radio stations along the East Coast and has received airplay at stations as far away as California.

James said he really enjoyed creating this album.

"In the past we've always had songs written and tested them on the road before we recorded anything," he said.

With Another Happy Ending, James said the band took some time off and just kept writing.

"This time we really made a record," he said.

"We built it from the ground up."

James said that while "Hey You" has gained a lot of exposure for the band, he feels that the most prominent track on the album is the infectious break-up tune, "On Saturday."

"[Bassist Greg Joseph] really wrote a good one there," James said.

He has hopes the song will open even more doors for the band. "If the place is right, if the time is right, if the money is right, this song could really make it big for us," he added.

James said Razor & Tie is slowly but surely opening some doors for the Clarks to play to larger markets.

"We've been playing a lot of new places with regularity," he said. "We're playing the smaller markets and we're getting into larger markets in D.C. and Chicago as well. We're following airplay, trying to hit everywhere we can."

The Clarks consistently draw large crowds when they play in State College.

Greg Gabbard, owner of City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave., said ticket sales for the Clarks' show have been relatively slow thus far. Gabbard, however, added that he does expect that to change.

"People wait until the last minute to buy their tickets. They come here to buy tickets the day of the show, and I guarantee it'll be sold out," he said."This happens every time they play here."

Opening for the Clarks at the Crowbar are fellow Pittsburgh-rockers Brownie Mary.

Tickets for the all ages show are $12. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9.