Katsu, a local bar band that has been rocking State College for years, is something of a paradox.

The more lead singer Dennis Fallon and his band mates seem indifferent to big commercial success -- focusing instead on the sheer joy of playing live to their loyal local following -- the more they seem to court success.

The group has just released their third CD -- its first to attract major corporate backing: liquor companies like Coors and Captain Morgan.

Yet the album -- Basement Album Series Volume III -- shuns commercial slickness. It's a raucous, raw and unpolished effort meant to capture the band's live essence.

Maybe Katsu is a testament to the old saying that you should concentrate on doing what you like and not just making money and just maybe success will come.

At least you'll be happy. "I love what I do," says Fallon, 25, a Penn State graduate who says music, song writing and especially performing are now his all-consuming passions.

Not that Katsu isn't feeling pretty successful already, in its own terms. It certainly isn't desperate for work.

Every weekend the band can be found at one or another of the bars all over downtown State College, if it's not venturing farther in the state of Pennsylvania, mixing their own originals with popular covers to keep pace with the fickle and ever-changing musical tastes of audiences, especially the local Penn State crowd.

"They cover the right songs and are very reliable," said Chris Glinski (senior- architectural engineering) outside the All American Rathskeller, 108 S. Pugh St., where Katsu plays every Friday night.

"If you don't want to play covers, you better get used to not playing any shows," says Fallon. "We take songs we enjoy and tackle them in our own way."

They did the Basement Album CD their own way too, recording some songs live and some in a basement, which explains the title.

Their passion made it easy to endure production challenges -- including pressure from the corporate sponsors to get the album out quickly and quirks of fate, like a winter storm that cut off power to their studio.

The band's ability to adapt and roll with the punches derives from learning to do whatever it takes to survive and thrive as a band on the road.

That includes learning by trial and error which kinds of music appeal to different types of audiences.

Fallon says urban crowds are more receptive to new music and experimentation, while rural crowds gravitate to familiar crowd pleasers and current radio favorites.

That adaptability comes easier thanks to Katsu's varied musical influences.

The band includes Dennis Fallon, vocals and guitar; Mark Klein, guitar; Frank Yarnal, bass; and Josh Troup, drums.

The group plays music, which ranges from widely classic rock to The White Stripes and Modest Mouse.

And the proof is in the performances, say Katsu's boosters.

"Their music is fantastic and their interaction with the crowd is great," said Chris Rosengrant, manager of the Lion's Den, 118 S Garner St., a frequent venue for the band.

Could they adapt to even greater commercial success? Sure.

But for now, according to Fallon, "it's a big rock and roll adventure."