Halloween comes only once a year. That is, unless you're a member of South Carolina horror punk band The Independents.

The band will play at 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Brewery. Two bands from the State College area, Wentletrap and The Whatleys, will join The Independents on the bill. The show is part of the Cherry Darling Productions concert series.

The veteran group has established during its 15-year career a reputation for horrifying subject matter. Cherry Darling Productions owner Meredith Rebar said the band occupies the same genre as The Misfits, adding the "horror punk" label comes more from the band's music than any kind of onstage gimmick.

"They don't wear makeup like The Misfits, but they are kind of Goth looking," Rebar said. "As far as musically, they have short, fast songs and they sing about darkness and ghouls."

The "horror" mentality extends to The Independents' merchandise and advertising. The group has adopted a logo that resembles "Hello Kitty" from hell, with scowling eyes and skull's teeth. Zombies, witches and ghouls dominate The Independents' concert poster art.

The group suffers from no lack of punk rock credibility, regardless of the subject matter of its music. In 1995, while the band was still in its formative stages, it was slated to be the opener on a tour headlined by legendary punk band The Ramones, Rebar said. Joey Ramone took an interest in The Independents' demo recordings before the first date of the tour and offered to manage the band. Of course, the band accepted, which resulted in an about 6-year-long working partnership, she said.

"He acted as their mentor until his death," she added.

The group has toured with several other high-profile bands over the years, including The Misfits and Cheap Trick. Rebar said the band's music would be familiar to punk fans even if the name is not.

Rebar said the booking was the next in a line of punk bands Cherry Darling has hosted throughout this semester.

"They were booked by the same agent as Michale Graves and The Bermondsey Joyriders," Rebar said.

Matt "Wentle" Seprish, of opening band Wentletrap, helped organize and promote the show. He said bringing The Independents to State College is part of a push to bring original music to the area.

"We just want as many people to have as much fun as they can," he said.

Despite the fact the show takes place during Penn State's Thanksgiving break, both Rebar and Wentle said they don't expect turnout to suffer.

"I know some students are skipping town," Rebar said. "But I think there'll still be a lot of locals."