In the land of local bands, there is sometimes an exaggerated sense of self-importance that surpasses that of any mainstream rock band.

Writing a hardcore concept album loosely based off of a Stephen King novel is a great idea, but sometimes the local music scene needs to calm down and just have fun.

Luckily for State College, there is Takanawa.

Naming themselves after reporter Tricia Takanawa from Family Guy, the guys from Takanawa said they aren't trying to pull the musical carpet out from anyone's feet.

"We're emo. Our songs are about girls," Bryan Conyers (sophomore-media studies), singer and guitarist, said.

A statement like this would normally set the band's scene point tally to a big fat zero, but there is something very honorable that one senses while talking to Takanawa.

It's the band's honesty and love of having a good time.

For example, during its acoustic set last Wednesday at Dragon Chaser's Emporium, the band could have played originals that only close friends may have recognized, but Takanawa wanted to see unfamiliar faces in the crowd have some fun.

"Who wants to hear us butcher Bon Jovi?" Conyers said with a smile on his face, which immediately led to the biggest reaction of the night.

Everyone in Dragon Chaser's was singing along as Takanawa played a rousing rendition of Penn State's favorite Bon Jovi song, "Livin' on a Prayer." Some critics might have turned their noses up at Takanawa for throwing such a popular song into their set.

However, the band's natural response would be just to laugh in their critic's face and go into a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone."

Which is what they did.

"We all like 15-year-old girl songs," drummer Andrew Visnovsky (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) said. Visnovsky is the most outgoing of the group, often times stealing the conversation and spotlight from the band members. But had it not been for Visnovsky's friendly social skills and his unabashed love of making music, Takanawa may never have started.

According to Conyers, the band began after Visnovsky "stalked" Conyers on Facebook.

Visnovsky sent a message to Conyers asking if he wanted to start a band. Conyers met bassist Andy Pool (sophomore-psychology) in his English class, and they later recruited Matt Kalgren, an '06 alumnus who now lives in New Jersey, for guitar and back-up vocals.

Takanawa has been playing its fresh brand of emo/punk rock for roughly a year now.

The band toured last summer on its "All Bands, No Fans" tour, released an EP entitled 5 or 6 Songs You Probably Won't Hear Us Play Live, and is set to release its first full-length EP, entitled The Eulogy -- coupled with an album release party planned for Feb. 18 at Sozo's.

While it may seem like good times all around for Takanawa, it has faced problems just like any other band.

"We broke up seven times while recording," Visnovsky said.

There is clearly a sense of light-hearted frustration and eye rolling when it comes to the mention of the band's past recording sessions.

When asked about their goals, there also isn't a clear-cut answer.

"We wanna get famous so Andrew can marry Hayley Williams from Paramore," Conyers said.

After some laughs and no objection from Visnovsky, Conyers gave an even simpler answer.

"We're in it for the love of the music," Conyers said.

As of now, those involved in State College's local music scene have no reason to worry about its scene declining in talent.

There's plenty of variety out there. But if for some strange reason, every local band in State College develops an ego bigger than the state of Pennsylvania, one thing will be certain: Takanawa will be around to give PSU students a great time.