Though the rock trio formed only four years ago in its hometown of Santa Clarita, Calif., Smile Empty Soul has already started making an influence on local State College bands via the radio airwaves.

Matt Day, guitarist for longtime local metal band Stept On, said his band's newfound interest in these California youngsters has caused it to start covering some of Smile Empty Soul's material.

"We started playing their song 'Bottom of a Bottle,' because we hear it on the radio all the time," Day said. "We like it because it really fits into the same genre of what we tend to play."

On Monday, both Day and Penn State students will get to experience Smile Empty Soul firsthand as the band finally moves from the airwaves of State College to Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., where it will headline, along with fellow heavy rockers Moments In Grace and Stept On.

Often described as having a thoughtful and melodic heavy music style, Smile Empty Soul embraces the lighter two terms but is wary of being labeled as "metal."

According to a quote on the group's Web site, vocalist and guitarist Sean Danielsen said he believes that just because the band has heavy songs, it doesn't mean they're typical head-banger songs.

Citing influences from everyone from Nirvana to The Beatles, the band classifies itself more as just plain rock 'n' roll than anything, and tries to keep its music as raw and under-produced as possible, according to its Web site.

Like Smile Empty Soul, Monday night's other performing band, Stept On, is also often labeled as heavy metal, although Day said his band has seen a lot of change in last few years.

"I think we've grown up a lot in our songwriting," Day said. "We're really working toward becoming an all original band."

Despite the recent developments in Stept On's sound, Day said some things within the band have never changed, like its favorite local venue, Crowbar.

"We've played in over 22 different states and it's still one of the coolest clubs there is," he said.

Dave Wells, director of operations for Crowbar, said he's glad to have both old-time veterans and newcomers play Monday's show.

"From what I've heard so far, all these guys have nowhere to go but up," Wells said.