John Xanthopoulos knows the State College music scene only too well.

He knows what it takes to break into the scene as a local band, and he especially knows what kinds of bands most State College clubs and bars are looking to book.

And as a man trying to maintain a career, Xanthopoulos also knows how hard it is getting steady gigs as a local band playing only original music.

That's why, as keyboardist for longtime party band Foxxy, Xanthopoulos is perfectly happy with sticking to covers.

"When it comes down to it, we're just trying to have fun," Xanthopoulos said. "That's strictly it. That's our goal."

Foxxy, which originally formed in the 1970s and has gone through numerous incarnations since, has always been and always will be a cover band.

"We were never a band that wanted to do original stuff," Xanthopoulos said. "Our whole approach has always been playing material that's popular."

Not that he is unaware of what it's like to play original songs. As a younger musician, Xanthopoulos played in all-original bands, but as he grew older, his focus shifted, he said.

"After a while you get tired of doing it for your own satisfaction," Xanthopoulos said. "Being in [Foxxy] was somewhat of an economic decision for me."

Foxxy lead singer Gina Rendina agreed that the monetary aspect of being in a cover band is somewhat more appealing.

"You can actually get work," Rendina said. "I mean, we all have families and day jobs to think about."

A change in the music scene may be a reason that cover bands like Foxxy have an easier time finding work.

"It used to be that you could find a home within the local scene and then build up a crowd from there," Xanthopoulos said. "Now they want you to bring the crowd with you."

For Michael Hess, general manager of The Saloon, 101 Hiester St., Foxxy's crowd appeal has been a big factor in its continuing weekend reign at the bar.

"For two years, they've been doing really well for us," Hess said. "They're always fun, and they really get the crowd going."

If giving their audience a good time is all it takes, then the members of Foxxy are content in doing so.

"Some of my friends say, 'Why don't you just try writing a song?' " Rendina said. "But I'm happy with being a big fish in a small pond."

Even Xanthopoulos is content after all these years, especially with bandmates who have become lifelong friends.

"There's a camaraderie you get among people that know how to play music, which I love," Xanthopoulos said.

Foxxy will play The Saloon, 101 Hiester St., at 10:30 p.m. tomorrow.