Chicks really love the Poogie Bell Band.

The band will return to Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., bringing a fresh, funky eclectic mix of jazz and soul that, according to Poogie Bell himself, appeals especially to the female variety.

"For some strange reason, it seems like chicks dig the band," drummer/frontman Bell said. "I mean, I'm not complaining, but it seems like there are always more girls than guys at our shows. I may be old and married, but I still have eyes."

The band started two years ago when bassist Kevin Barefoot went to get Bell's autograph after a show in Pittsburgh.

"I was playing a show in Pittsburgh when I met Kevin," Bell said. "I thought, while I'm here I want to do something -- so we started a band."

Barefoot describes their sound as comparable to that of bands such as Soulive and Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters. "I would describe our music as funky jazz with some soul thrown in there," he said. "We also do some '70s-type funk fusion. We do some vocal stuff, but it's mainly instrumental."

Bell said he likes to describe the band's sound as having a "jazz heart with a funk mind."

"The roots are in jazz and improv," he said. "But we play funky and hip-hoppish. With my band, you can either get up and dance or you can sit back and let it take your mind places. It's a throwback to the days of music when you could dance to it, study to it or clean the house to it."

Dan Rosenkrantz (junior-mechanical engineering) said the most appealing aspect of the music is its versatility. "One of my friends made me listen to one of their songs," he said. "It's usually not the kind of music I listen to, but I immediately loved it. It makes me feel relaxed, but at the same time it makes me want to dance -- if I could. I've been anxious to see them perform live ever since."

The band members said they are anxious to return to Happy Valley. "When we play at different venues, we have a wide range of people -- young, old, black, white -- but playing at Penn State is great because these are the people we are trying to reach, the college-age crowd," Bell said. "They always have a good time and it's always really chill."

Barefoot said the difference in audiences is the way they respond and react to the music.

"I love playing for a college audience because the kids love hearing live music," he said. "It's nice to play in a college town versus other towns because older crowds may just sit, while college kids get into it right away."

Anyone who appreciates a good concert would love the Poogie Bell Band, Bryan Hoover (junior-journalism) said. "They blew me away the first time I saw them," he said. "My favorite thing about the band is the rhythm section. They also have one of the most talented bass players I've ever seen. Anyone who likes music would appreciate the pure musicianship of the band."