Hey, State College, we got us a big-time indie show.

Indie heavy-hitters the Pernice Brothers, Philly power-poppers The Bigger Lovers and State College's very own not-so-rude boy rockers The Bullet Parade will play a very special Thursday Roustabout! at 10:30 tonight at The Darkhorse Tavern, 128 E. College Ave.

The Pernice Brothers, the hyper-melodic chamber pop giants, have grown a national following while staying under the mainstream radar with frequent touring and a series of critically lauded records.

And The Bigger Lovers' distinct blend of Big Star-derived pop is making waves both in and out of Philadelphia.

Bret Tobias of The Bigger Lovers said his band's experience helps to create its unique take on pop.

"You know, we're a band of 30-somethings," Tobias said.

"We've been writing songs for 15 years. When we're making music, we're not consciously saying, 'This sounds like The Soft Boys, or this sounds like The Replacements,' " he added.

Tobias is quick to point out that, though The Bigger Lovers' sound is difficult to pin down, the group is still working in the realm of pop-rock.

"Obviously, we're a band playing traditionally-structured pop songs," Tobias said. "We're not reinventing the wheel a la Sonic Youth. But we still feel very much on our own."

In concert, Tobias said his Lovers are constantly growing as a live act, as evidenced by the translation of its new material on the live stage.

"On our older records, there's a lot of layered harmonies, a lot of lush things," Tobias said. "Live, we'd just play through them. The new record is a bit messier, so it's closer to the live sound."

The Bullet Parade member and event organizer Jeff Van Fossan emphasized that getting both bands here was quite a coup.

"Obviously, I was dying to get put on the bill with the Pernice Brothers," Van Fossan said. "They're a band I really, really like. And, I mean, when The Bigger Lovers are the second act on a bill, you're in for a good show."

Van Fossan theorized that a name like the Pernice Brothers should only mean even bigger bands could be coming through town.

"We hope this'll lead to bigger things," Van Fossan said. "It's definitely the biggest Roustabout! of the semester, and probably the biggest Roustabout! ever."

Tobias said that, though his band continues to fight the good fight, he wishes that more college students would participate in the live music scene.

"It's ironic that college rock isn't of much interest to college kids," Tobias said. "It's kind of like going to college to study Latin, in a sense. It's something of a dying art."

Greg Gabbard, owner of City Lights Records, 316. E. College Ave., is a fan of all three bands on tonight's bill.

"I'm definitely going to go," Gabbard said. "The Bigger Lovers are a great band, and the Pernice Brothers have been great for a long time, whether we're talking [former Pernice projects] Scud Mountain Boys, Chappaquiddick Skyline or just Joe Pernice himself."

Gabbard pointed out that it was passion for the bands that helped the show come together.

"It's a great thing, and kind of a handmade thing," Gabbard said. "A few people just really wanted to get them here, and they made it happen."

Van Fossan offered the following warning to those considering other Thursday night plans: "Be there or be square."