Breaking Benjamin, a semi-local band that is beginning to achieve national recognition, will return to Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., with hard rock bands Jersey and Backstreet Law.

Formed in late 2001, the members of Breaking Benjamin said they believe they appeal to college students simply because "we like to rock," said Ben Burnley, frontman of the band.

Breaking Benjamin got its start in Pennsylvania. The band members met during their high school years in Selinsgrove and went on to play shows in Wilkes-Barre.

"It's hard to get the initial break, but there's a good scene in Wilkes-Barre," Burnley said.

Breaking Benjamin's current single, "So Cold," is on the Hellboy soundtrack. The band's sophomore album, We Are Not Alone, will be released in late June.

Members of Breaking Benjamin said they believe that mainstream music should be more positive.

"Music should make you feel good," bassist Mark James Klepaski said. "Our songs give off a positive energy, and I think our fans appreciate that."

Influenced by Nirvana and Tool, Burnley described Breaking Benjamin's sound as a mixture of other bands.

"I find that music works best when you take a bunch of your favorite bands and rip a little something off of each one to make something new," Burnley said. "It works for us."

Breaking Benjamin's current tour will stretch up and down the East Coast.

The group will also play some shows with another Pennsylvania band that has made it big -- Fuel.

Members of opening act Backstreet Law said they believe their band's sound meshes well with that of headliners Breaking Benjamin.

"Our genre is hard rock. We fit pretty well with the type of music that Breaking Benjamin is doing," Backstreet Law bassist Jamie Morral said.

The group's current lineup has been playing together for 10 years. Also Pennsylvania natives, Backstreet Law is originally from Wellsboro.

Morral said the group is influenced by a wide variety of musicians.

"Our influences range from older stuff like Van Halen to up-to-date stuff like Korn," Morral said.

Backstreet Law is becoming better known throughout the state. Morral said the band played 270 shows last year.

"We just tour year round," Morral said.

The show will take place at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday with doors opening at 8 p.m.

Cover to the all-ages show is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. More information can be found on Crowbar's Web site at www.crowbarlivemusic.com.