"The only bands we've ever had here are rock or pop," he said.
Nevertheless, the first band to play will be Turning Point, a band featuring Penn Staters that rhythm guitarist/vocalist Phil Wiegand (senior-biology) describes as "a new twist on pop rock."
Wiegand said Turning Point combines emotional lyrics coupled with a harder-edged sound. Turning Point is currently in the process of shopping its newest EP, Take You As You Are, around to different record labels and promoting Full Circle, a compilation of the band's first two EPs and new songs.
"It's tough to break into the college scene," Wiegand said, attributing this to the ease with which original bands can get lost in cover rock.
Also rocking on its own terms is the Reunion Show, a band that has been compared to Jimmy Eat World, Elvis Costello and the Cars.
"We're just a rock band," said lead singer Mark Thomas. "Basic with new wave undertones."
After three months on the road, the Reunion Show is ready to take some time off. Touring in support of its previous studio release, Kill Your Television, the band has played throughout the United States and U.K.
Thomas said the Reunion Show plans to go into the studio within the next couple months to begin work on a follow-up.
"The new CD is gonna be a bit darker and heavier," he said. "Definitely not as light, lyrically."
In the meantime, along with the show at Penn State, Thomas said the band would only be playing a few random shows here and there and take it easy for the rest of the year.
"We've got a lot on our plates now," he said.
Also doing the balancing act are the Lost Faculties, juggling roles as Penn State professors and musicians. Formerly Revise and Resubmit, the group will be playing only its second gig in its current lineup Sunday.
"We have some great talent in the band," drummer Sam Richards said. "Our combined years playing music has got to be over a century."
The members are excited to showcase that talent for students this Sunday.
"We get to show a creative side we don't really get to exercise in our jobs," said Mark Hill, whose high school band included David Ellefson, bass player for Megadeth.
All the members have strong musical backgrounds and have been playing for years. Eric Silver even attended the Berklee College of Music, though he eventually dropped out.
"I think he did too much acid or something. Or maybe not enough," Richards said of his bandmate.
"In retrospect, it probably wasn't enough," said Silver, explaining that a lot of people go to Berklee just to mingle with musicians. He said the school has a high drop out rate, because once you get started on your path there's really no reason to get a degree.
Not that he would condone this as a course of action for his students. In fact, Silver said he's worried a little about the reception the Faculties will get from students attending the concert after the novelty sinks in.
Richards is unconcerned, and thinks many students will be intrigued.
"Students know us," he said, adding he thinks they will be curious to see what older professors/musicians are doing.
Richards believes the band's very strength lies in the fact all are interesting and successful professors, who are set apart by the fact that they play music together.
"Nobody expects their professors to be rock stars," he said. "We all secretly hold that dream. I never gave it up, even though I walked away from it for twenty years."
The Lost Faculties will live the dream this Sunday, as will another prominent Penn State figure. Richards confirmed a rumor that none other than University president Graham Spanier will sit in with the band on washboard for a cover of the Etta James song "Watchdog."
Resist the temptation to pinch yourself.
