Five months ago, the band Clientel didn’t exist.

But last Friday, it played in front of a crowd of roughly 200 people at Stadium Club.

Jim Caine, singer/guitarist, communication major and NIU pitcher, Jake Miller, drummer and biology major, and Zach Minor, bass player, business administration major and NIU pitcher, formed the band four months ago. Playing with only a couple guitars and amps, they practiced in Minor’s bedroom, downloading songs off the Internet to help them learn.

When the guys finally felt they were ready to play in front of an audience, they went to Stadium Club, 1311 W. Lincoln Highway, to sign up for an open mic night.

The band covers a variety of songs by every band from the Steve Miller Band to Pearl Jam.

“They’re all songs that we like to hear,” said Mike Kukla, band manager and NIU baseball catcher. They also have a few songs they wrote themselves. “We have two or three original songs that are just about college life.”

Clientel will take the stage at 11 p.m. today at Stadium Club, and Kukla said it would be the perfect place to bring your Valentine’s Day date.