Hip-hop is about to break into the State College music scene in a big way, compliments of the eclectic styling of the new local funk rock band, L-Run.

With influences stemming from The Roots, Rage Against the Machine and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, L-Run plays live rock with a heavy hip-hop flavor.

"Think hip-hop jam band," Tal Peretz, L-Run's bassist, said.

Peretz, along with vocalist Mike Gray and guitarist John Paul Tobin originally played in the Pittsburgh-area rock band Drive Theory. As a joke, the band started covering songs such as "Baby Got Back" and "Ice Ice Baby" at its concerts.

But after receiving such a positive reaction to the covers, the band members decided to change their sound to include a larger hip-hop influence.

As the level of music became more demanding, Drive Theory's drummer decided to leave the band, recommending that high school friend Albert "Gomez" Simpson take her place.

With Simpson now at the drums, the band went on to find its new vocalist, J. Browne, who would serve as the band's emcee. After spotting Browne as the winner of a Penn State Def Poetry Jam contest, the newly-named L-Run was convinced he could be its free-styling front man.

By November 2002, the new ensemble was ready to start performing in State College. However, some members were apprehensive about breaking into the college demographic of Penn State.

"We all had this fear of whether people were going to accept us because not everyone is into re-doing The Beatles as hip-hop," Peretz said.

Yet Simpson said the band maintained a sense of optimism about its reception in State College.

"If people are willing to open their minds, they'll find a very eclectic mix of styles and background in our music," he said.

Tobin said the group is diverse.

"I'm a classical musician," he said. "Gomez has a jazz background, Mike is indie-rock and underground punk, and Tal brings the left-field alternative. J. comes from an underground hip-hop background, and he brings the chill."

Tobin defines this unique compilation of sound as "crunk" music, a term coined originally by Philadelphia natives, The Roots.

"[Crunk] is hip-hop music, it's got all the precision that's involved with playing hip-hop, but it's more of a raw street sound that comes with live music," Tobin said. "We see ourselves as the crunk side of hip-hop at Penn State."

With at least five performances under its belt, L-Run is confident about its upcoming shows at Penn State.

In addition to some original songs, audiences can expect to hear a wide range of covers, from Bob Marley to a nasty version of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive."

"In this town, you have to bring the party with you, and we definitely do that," Peretz said.

L-Run plays at 10 tonight at Tall Shiva Hookah Lounge, 224 W. College Ave. There is a $2 cover charge for admission.