With its new album, Save Me, set to be released this spring, Pat McGee Band is revisiting Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., at 9 p.m. Wednesday with opening act Michael Tolcher, to give fans a preview of what's to come.

The Richmond, Va.-based group has made many appearances in the State College area since its formation in 1996, and its sound has evolved since then.

Lead singer and guitarist McGee said the group's greatest change was the addition of an electric guitar.

"We're definitely more of an electric-rock band since 2001, when we brought in the electric guitar," McGee said. "It's a big change, since we used to be a total acoustic group, but at the same time, I still play acoustic guitar 90 percent of the time."

The new album will bring a new sound, but fans will still approve, Courtney Kopf, the band's publicist, said.

"There's a transition from jam-band style rock in the upcoming album, but they still play a combination of songs live, which fans love," Kopf said. "The more raw-sounding songs, combined with the band's powerful stage presence, make for an amazing live show."

Pat McGee Band's album comes out April 6, and McGee said the group has been traveling often to give fans a chance to hear the new tunes before the album is released.

"Even before we started recording, we were road testing the new songs," McGee said. "It's given us a way for people to get to know the music and the lyrics."

The band is loyal to its fans and truly has been trying to get its new material out there by traveling constantly and doing about 250 shows a year, according to the band's Web site.

McGee said the rock star lifestyle he and the other band members live is difficult, but fun.

"It's really hard to stay healthy sometimes," McGee said. "Imagine going out every single night. That's what it is. But I love being on the road."

The band has been too busy to worry about passing time while traveling these days. McGee said the group is visiting radio stations between shows and doing promotional activities all the time. But when the members do have time, McGee said they do things like stroll around, work on their music or go to the gym.

"There's a whole lot of time to do nothing," he said.

As far as where the band travels and what its favorite towns are, McGee said sometimes a band can be in a great city but not always have the greatest gig.

The group has enjoyed places like Philadelphia, New York City, and Las Vegas, but has a place in its heart for State College.

"The Crowbar always has a killer crowd, and my parents went to Penn State, so it's cool to be in the town they experienced," McGee said.

Pat McGee Band's Web site said the theme of many of the group's songs is love, and McGee said this continues in Save Me.

"The title implies desperation and needing help in a relationship, but I think in the end, there's a positive reflection on love and a hopeful view as well," McGee said.

McGee said that in the future, he's not sure how much the group's sound will change, but he hopes to keep fans interested.

"Hopefully the music will continue to evolve," he said. "I know all of my favorite bands changed from record to record, and initially fans may not approve ... but hopefully it will evolve into something that keeps them and us interested."