Illinois bands like the Red Hot Valentines, the Amazing Kill-O-Watts and the Ransoms will make their way to NIU for a free Valentine’s Day-themed concert.

CAB Concerts Coordinator John Ugolini said these up-and-coming groups are being brought back to NIU because when they performed here in the past, they were popular with students.

he concert will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the Holmes Student Center’s Diversions Lounge.

According to the Red Hot Valentines’ Web site, www.theredhotvalentines.com, the band began in 1999 in a college residence hall room in Champaign, Ill.

Their music revolves around the pop-punk style similar to Green Day, but contains emotional lyrics about romance and broken hearts.

The band released its first full-length album in February 2002 and its next album, “Calling Off Today,” is scheduled to be released Feb. 18.

The Red Hot Valentines have played more than 131 shows in cities and colleges across the nation.

The Amazing Kill-O-Watts, based in Peoria, Ill., also have performed throughout Illinois and in many surrounding states, according to the band’s Web site, www.theamazingkillowatts.com.

The Terror of Technology, their latest album, was released last July on the Clumsy Records label.

According to the Clumsy Records Web site, www.clumsyrecords.com, the Amazing Kill-O-Watts blend ’60s music with modern music and sci-fi themes.

Known for such songs as “Gamma Ray Girl” and “Time Machine,” the band was originally called HAM after the first U.S. chimpanzee to go into space.

Originally from Kankakee, Ill., the Ransoms also have a unique music style that is known as “horror rock,” Ugolini said.

“The Ransoms were influenced by the Murder City Devils and the New York Dolls. Their music style is described as loud, tough and fast, and their songs are angry about love,” Ugolini said.

Sugar Momma’s Inc., 901 F Lucinda, will give away bags of candy and 20 certificates for food during the concert, and contests will be held between some of the songs, Ugolini said.

There will be some Valentine’s decor at the concert, but it will not be overwhelming because CAB wants people without valentines to enjoy the concert too.

“The concert is a good thing to bring your valentine to because it’s free and you can spend the night with your significant other, but it’s also a good thing to come to if you have no significant other,” Ugolini said. “Maybe those people can identify with some songs by the Ransoms and the Valentines or meet a significant other at the show.”

For information on the concert, call CAB at 753-1580.courtesy photo

Marsha Satterfield and Tyson Markley of The Amazing Kill-O-Watts rock out onstage at a recent show.