It's not unusual to see a local band playing around the clubs downtown; however, it is unusual to see three local bands perform together for the first time in one show. Tonight, Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., will be hosting student band The Man with opening acts This Place is Haunted and The Lost Faculties.

This is the first show in more than two months for the headlining group The Man, and bassist Ben Rothbart (senior-advertising) said the band is excited about the opportunity to play at Crowbar with the other acts.

"It's pretty cool to be playing with The Lost Faculties," said Rothbart. "My sociology teacher, [Sam Richards], is
in the band, and it's great to share
the stage with faculty members."

The Lost Faculties is a local band made up of Penn State professors, and Rothbart said the group attracts a lot of attention with students because Sam Richards is a popular professor.

While it wasn't exactly a coincidence that Rothbart's own teacher will open for him tonight, Rothbart said it was his job to book the opening acts.

"I picked these two bands because I thought it would be an interesting mix," Rothbart said.

Rothbart, who describes his band's style as influenced by classic rock, said any fan of James Brown, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin is sure to hear those musical styles in their songs.

Usually, many performances at Crowbar are cover bands, or more famous acts, but Rothbart said he would like to see more student bands performing at such venues.

"People are getting thirsty for original bands, and that's really cool," he said. "People shouldn't go to places where there isn't original music."

However, there are some students who feel that student acts should stay away from the club scene.

"I'm not really for more student acts playing downtown," Dave Kroll (senior-economics) said. "There are very few great student acts, and I don't want to pay a cover to see students attempt to play."

While there are some students who do not support the local club scene with fellow peers playing, Rothbart said this does not affect his band's outlook. He said The Man will be traveling to New York City to start recording.

"We know someone in NYC who has a studio, and we are getting free studio time," Rothbart said. "A lot of people have been asking for our new stuff."

While Rothbart is excited about the new venture the band hopes to take once they're done recording, he said he is even more excited about one of his opening acts, This Place is Haunted.

"The bassist for the band, Peat Rains, really has taught me a lot when it comes to the bass, and he's like no other bass player I've seen before," Rothbart said.

Rains, who often plays under the name Epileptic Peat, said he hopes people will be entertained to hear video game songs during his band's set.

"It's hard to play at a club playing only originals," Rains said. "If you play covers, it gets you in the back door, and playing Nintendo and Sega Genesis songs is our version of covers."

Rains, who just returned from an international video game contest, said he has been clocked to have the fastest time in America for Mario Kart 2.

"I guess you could say we're on a big video-game kick," Rains said.