As one of the most heralded young songwriters of the early '90s grunge movement, Evan Dando and his band, The Lemonheads, had a bright future.

He wrote jangly sing-a-longs and he was a teen idol.

Cue the melodramatic Behind the Music clip.

After 1992's breakthrough album, It's a Shame About Ray and a couple follow-ups, Dando burned out for a bit.

The band got its few modern rock radio hits played a bit for the next few years, and between 1996 and last year everyone wondered, "Whatever happened to the Lemonheads?"

The band will answer that question tonight at Lulu's Nightspot, 129 1/2 S. Pugh St.

The Lemonheads return to State College, in support of last year's self-titled album, for the first time since playing 2001's Movin' On. This time, however, Dando will count L.A. punk heroes Descendents as his backing band.

Promoter Ted Swanson said that Dando's experience in the music business lends itself to a compelling live show.

"He seems to be cool with playing whatever people want to hear," Swanson said. "He's been doing it for a while, so he knows how to work a room."

Matt Fisher (junior-supply chain and information systems), a fan of the Lemonheads, said the band has a unique style.

"They're a good '90s band," Fisher said. "I like their stuff from back then. I guess there's a lot of groups out there that sound exactly the same. The Lemonheads have their own distinct sound."

The band will be joined by opener VietNam, a four-piece indie rock outfit.

Vocalist/guitarist Michael Gerner said the band, which has drawn comparisons to bands ranging from blues-rock band Canned Heat to underground pioneer Sonic Youth, has an eclectic set of influences.

"Joshua and I have been best friends forever, for about eight years or so," Gerner said. "We have similar tastes, but it's real eclectic. We're listening to Rites of Spring right now, one of the most influential bands for me when I was younger. Then there's like Suicide, then all like classic stuff like the [Rolling] Stones. It's all kind of across the board -- kraut rock, anything and everything."

Gerner said although the band is originally from Texas, some of the members have some roots in Pennsylvania.

"Joshua [Grubb, (lead guitar/vocals)] and I lived in Philly for about a year," Gerner said. "Joshua still lives out there in Selinsgrove. We all lived out there [in Philly] for about eight to nine months or something."