Yellowcard will return to State College with The Pink Spiders and Acceptance on Saturday at Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave.

They haven't released an album in about two-and-a-half years, but Yellowcard is on a small-scale tour to promote the upcoming Lights and Sounds, which will be released in January.

"We want to give everyone a good feeling about the band coming back on the scene," bassist Pete Mosely said.

Mosely said the band has a new focus and their musicianship has stepped up to a new level.

"We're playing some new songs. We have a bit more energy," he said. "We're like little kids out on the road again, and we're excited about playing."

The band said they chose to play at Crowbar to provide a more intimate showing for their fans.

They have played in State College before, but last time they were at the Bryce Jordan Center.

"It was incredible," Mosely said. "It was one of the highlights of the tour, one of the biggest turnouts. The kids were great."

Mosely said the band has progressed since their last album, Ocean Avenue.

"As musicians, we've been able to grow a lot," he said. "There's a new focus. We wanted to give it everything we had."

Mosely said it has been fun going to back to smaller-venue shows because the band enjoys the intimacy.

"After the show, we go out and hang out with people that came," he said. "Our fans allowed us to be at the level we're at, so we communicate as much as possible with them."

Yellowcard is ready to play in State College again, despite the amount of time it's been since they were last here.

"We can't wait to see your neck of the woods and play you guys a rock show," Mosely said.

The Pink Spiders, like Yellowcard, are preparing to release a new album, Modern Swinger & Little Razorblade.

Vocalist and guitarist Matt Friction said the new album is similar, but better than previous ones.

"It's better production, better everything, and some songs that you won't believe it's us," drummer Bob Ferrari said.

The new album shows the band's development into music influenced by pop and rock.

"It's 'feel good' music," Friction said.

"We started out a little more aggressive, but over time eventually embraced more pop and rock 'n' roll influences, and that's kind of the direction we've gone since our first release," he added.

Friction said the show would be high-energy with "a lot of profanity."

"It's just a very dirty, sweaty, in-your-face rock 'n' roll show," he said.

Jon Decious said he wants people to leave the show with the assurance that there are still good bands out there.

"We started out and continue to love what we do and love each other like brothers, and that is rare nowadays," Friction said.