Music genres will collide this weekend at the HUB-Robeson Center when bands compete for a spot on the Movin' On sidestage during the annual Battle of the Bands competition.

"We have a West Coast surfer pop sound -- New Found Glory meets Starting Line bass and guitar riffs, with a mix of hip hop meets hard punk, in-your-face aggressive drums," said Michael Fierras (junior-special education), drummer of the band Caught OFF Guard.

The mixing of genres by Caught OFF Guard will be featured along with 11 other bands at Battle of the Bands at 9:30 p.m. Saturday in HUB Alumni Hall. Of the 12 pre-chosen bands performing, three will be selected to play on the side stage at the Movin' On festival on April 23.

Melissa Scannell, Battle of the Bands coordinator, said each band gets a 15-minute slot to play as many songs as it can.

"Each band is different so we will cover a full range of music experiences," said Scannell (senior-women's studies). "We get bands that are just starting out and bands that are big in the local scene."

Bands wishing to participate in Battle of the Bands sent in demos a month before the show. Coordinators of the event narrowed the 30 or so applicants down to 12 bands that will battle.

Katie Greenleaf, a Movin' On assistant director, said there were a few requirements that the bands had to meet.

Requirements ranged from the nature of the band's music to each band member's affiliation with Penn State.

"Each band must have at least one Penn State student in it, and they must play original music," Greenleaf said (senior-anthropology and geography).

Students who come to Battle of the Bands can be sure to find something that appeals to them. They can enjoy the music, but they cannot participate in judging.

"We have three judges come in to help out," Scannell said.

"If students are involved with judging, it would turn into more of a popularity contest, and we want the best bands for the festival," Scannell added.

The three members of Caught OFF Guard will be catching students off guard with their blend of music, similar to the sound of Blink 182. The band tried out for Battle of the Bands last year but was not accepted, so this year they get to show what they are made of.

"We recorded a new demo this year, and we're just going to play like our fun, funny, weird, ugly and exciting selves," Fierras said.

Of course, Caught OFF Guard would like to make it to Movin' On, but they will be cheering for whichever bands end up making the cut, and wish all the bands the best of luck.

"I really like good competition, but in this case, I don't see it as a competition as much as a great show," Fierras said.