Hilliard was recommended to Van Fossan and he thought the group was fantastic.
"When you're in a band, it's like an underground network," Van Fossan said. "You are able to get contact with other musicians easily."
Joe Lekkas, Hilliard singer and guitarist, said the band is looking forward to playing at State College and members have heard Roustabout! is a fun venue.
"We're expecting a big night," Lekkas said. "We're really looking forward to it."
Hilliard formed in 2002 when band members were going to college in the Philadelphia area. The group got together to jam and "something clicked."
"We've been playing together ever since," Lekkas said.
The band's first record, (Inside) Out, was released in June.
"We worked on [the record] really hard over the winter," Lekkas said.
"Our sound is mostly indie, garage rock with early '90s influences."
Hilliard's show at Roustabout! will kick off a minitour of the Midwest, which will include gigs in Chicago and Minneapolis.
"This first stop will hopefully give us a great start for our tour," Lekkas said.
Hilliard said it is hoping to expand its fan base and connect with the college-aged crowd.
"We're sending our CD out to 300 college radio stations, so hopefully that, combined with our shows, will create a buzz for our band," Lekkas said of his band's popularity.
About three hundred miles away, Black Tie Revue is gearing up for the Roustabout! show as well.
Matthew Hanzes, the band's bassist, said the band was excited to go out of town.
"It's cool to play in new places," he said. "We've played in several other cities, but never in State College."
Black Tie Revue's lineup has been evolving since 2002, but it is now cemented and the band has perfected its sound, Hanze said.
"We are a pop band, plain and simple," Hanzes said. "But we always play originals."
Black Tie Revue is fresh out of the studio and excited about completing its first album, Hanzes said.
"Our record now has to be mixed and mastered and it will hopefully be out by the end of the year."
