Collins said his love of the music came from early exposure to the era. "There've been so many other retro movements, but I don't think the '60s have really been covered that well," Collins said. Then he laughed, adding "Not that we're looking to be ambassadors or anything."
Though originally from Wisconsin, the band moved to New York for its music, which led to changes in sound. "When we first moved to New York, we were way poppy," Collins said. "Somebody told us, 'You guys are good, but you have to realize punk happened.' I thought that was good advice."
Those who have already seen Locksley perform may notice that its previous signature matching outfits are missing, because, Collins said, they distracted from the music.
Instead, Collins said that the band is focusing on a high-energy performance. "Anything we can play on the album -- we can play live," Collins added. "No overdubs, nothing added or subtracted."
Though this will be the first Roustabout! appearance by Donny Hue and the Colors, many of the band members are no strangers to State College. The band's rotating line-up features members of Washington, D.C.-based groups, including groups such as the Washington Social Club and Olivia Mancini and the Housemates that have played here before.
Singer and guitarist Edward Donohue called the group a "psychedelic carnival" and said the band's take on songs can change depending on which members are on the tour.
The group is playing a few dates on its way to a tour of California, Donohue said.
The band's sets feature a lot of instrument switching, and Donohue said the band's music is "all over the place."
"A lot of the stuff is pretty stream-of-consciousness stuff," Donohue said. "I'm kind of into just letting it really flow and not thinking too much about it, and just taking elements of that and putting a structure to it."
