Some State College acts complain that it's hard to get a gig downtown. For local music staple Charles Ramsey, finding a place to play is in who you know.

"I've been dying to play another local show," Ramsey said. "So I just basically walked into the Hookah Lounge a couple weeks ago and asked them if I could have a show."

Ramsey, along with rapidly evolving rock 'n' rollers Johnny Action Figure and duo Katelyn & Maria, will take the stage at the Tall Shiva Hookah Lounge, 224 W. College Ave.

Ramsey, whose chamber-pop solo disc Something New was released last spring, has played numerous downtown shows in support of his album alongside multi-instrumentalist Erek Kapusta. But tomorrow night will see the live debut of Ramsey's full band, featuring Kapusta with bassist Dave Biser and drummer Vince Fiore. Ramsey said he can't wait for State College to get a load of the full Charles Ramsey experience.

"We started rehearsing together about a month ago, and I think that's what made me want to get the show," Ramsey said. "I just couldn't stand to have a band and not have a show to play."

New recruit Biser said he was shocked by Ramsey's songcraft when he first found out his fellow School of Music chum was a rocker.

"I'd always seen him around, and I knew he was a pianist," Biser said. "But I didn't know he was such a great singer and an extraordinary songwriter."

Biser said he was taken from the start by the songs on Something New.

"I really like his style a lot," Biser said. "His music has this eclectic style, and Chuck has a phenomenal voice. And he draws heavily from a lot of artists I've always admired."

Ramsey returned the praise for his newfound sidemen.

"Since it's the first show, it's kind of hard to know what to expect," Ramsey said. "I have really high expectations because rehearsals have been so good."

Ramsey's expectations are also high for Katelyn & Maria.

"I just sort of happen to be at Zeno's sometimes on Sunday nights," Ramsey said with a laugh. "One night I was there and they were playing. They did three sets, which is something itself, but I was really impressed with their musicianship, their great harmonies. And I sometimes think I can judge a band by the covers they play, and they did "Talk Tonight" by Oasis."

Johnny Action Figure drummer John Ravert has known Ramsey for years.

"I think it's just because we're good buds," Ravert said. "We were both in [local jangle-rock act] The Bullet Parade together, and we've hung out outside the music thing for some time. And he knows we're always looking for a gig, so this worked out great for everybody."

Once known for their hard-driving emo-rock, Johnny Action Figure has been adding new elements to its sound over the recent months.

"For Friday's set, it's just going to be Chris [Sheehan], Brendan [Fullam] and myself," Ravert said. "There'll be two acoustic guitars, and I'll be doing some hand percussion."

The band plans in the coming months to release an EP of all new material, some of which takes a direction that Ravert thinks may shock some.

"I think when people hear it, they'll be really surprised," Ravert said. "We started out as a punk band, sort of Blink 182 style. Then we did the emo thing for a while. But now we're taking a lot of nods from more mature stuff, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, stuff like that."

As Ramsey said, he's a longtime fan of Johnny Action Figure.

"There's more of an Elliott Smith, Decemberists, mellow acoustic sound," Ramsey said. "I really like it. But they've still got that classic Johnny Action Figure sound everybody knows."