Blind Robbery will be looking to put on a strong first performance for its Pennsylvania debut at Folly Fest.
"All we want to do is overwhelm them," Brian Holmes, the band's lead guitarist, said.
Holmes said the band's music is hard rock, mainly original, though they also perform a few classic rock covers.
He said the Long Island-based band was invited to play by a Gamma Sigma Sigma member who lives down the street from its singer.
In addition to Folly Fest, the Harrisburg-based Poptart Monkeys has played many benefit concerts, including sets at the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon over the past three years.
"[Playing at Thon] is the highlight of our year," lead singer Tyson Clark said.
The group has also played at many other local clubs, including the Arena, 1521 Martin St., and the Saloon, 101 Hiester St. Clark said the band enjoys the atmosphere in State College.
"Sometimes you'll go to a college town, and kids can be rude," Clark said. "[We] don't really get that at all in State College."
Poptart Monkeys will also be playing in support of their fourth album Happily Never After, which bassist James Balogach said was released on Saturday.
Spider Kelly is also a Thon veteran, having played the event twice. But the group, which drummer/singer John McNulty describes as "a cover band for people that don't like cover bands," doesn't often get the chance to play charity events.
The band said it tries to bring new twists to its covers by using unusual instruments.
"We play 80s pop songs with accordions instead of synthesizers," McNulty said.
Spider Kelly also uses instruments such as the slide whistle and the air synth, similar to the theremin, which detects movements of the hand.
"[We] figure out how to work weird instruments into songs," McNulty said.
McNulty added that crowds are used to the standard four-piece rock set-up.
"It's refreshing sometimes for people to see and hear something different," McNulty said.
