No one ever said central Pennsylvania is the place to be for aspiring rock bands. But that discouraging tidbit hasn't phased the members of local rock act Katsu. It is proud to call State College it's home.

"State College is our base of operations," said Dennis Fallon, lead singer for Katsu. "This is where we learned how to play."

Fallon isn't being figurative either. He picked up a guitar and taught himself how to play at the age of 18.

"We started playing before we had enough material," said Fallon, who recalled stretching 10 songs into three hours at his first gig. "We didn't even have enough equipment. We just used really cheap instruments."

Practicing and playing its favorite songs while growing up made Katsu a better band.

"That's how we got good -- by playing covers," Fallon said.

Although Katsu has since developed two albums worth of original songs, it still plays some covers.

"People are ADD," Katsu bassist Frank Yarnal said. "They won't pay attention to anything."

Forced to play in a town that embraces covers, Katsu has worked hard to attract people to its originals.

"Modern day rock and roll is a circus," Fallon said. "You have to try and keep your head above water."

And so far, Katsu has done more than keep its head above the water level. It has recorded one full-length album and is about to go into the studio to record its second one.

"The difference [between the first album and now] is we really stunk," Fallon said. He expects the new album to be a lot tighter, smoother and more rock 'n' roll.

Katsu will be receiving help from Bret Alexander, guitarist for the Badlees, who hail from Danville.

The Badlees took an interest in Katsu after Alexander helped produce its first album Gorgeous Mess, which then led to Katsu opening for the Badlees on a couple tours.

"They've watched since the first album and said they need to get involved in the second album," Fallon said.

Katsu also scored the opening slot for rising top 40 rocker Jason Mraz Aug. 17 at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg.

"This is the way bands grow," Fallon said, referring to the opportunity of playing in front of a large audience.

Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is the biggest crowd Katsu has played in front of before now. Fallon expects the Jason Mraz show to be "our biggest show for people paying attention."

Katsu once opened up for early '90s hair-metal holdovers Firehouse.

"We were out of place," Fallon said. "It was as if someone brought in a giraffe."

But Katsu never feels out of place in State College. With two local bar gigs, one at the Rathskeller All American, 108 S. Pugh St., every Friday, and another at the Saloon, 101 Hiester St., on Sundays, Katsu is working hard toward reaching its goal.

"We're going to make a living playing our own songs," Fallon said.

Rathskeller bartender Jake Strano said the bar is always packed on Fridays.

"They have a regular following," Strano said. "They always get people up and dancing."