Bellfield lead guitarist and vocalist Van Gallik hopes that someday someone will be able to describe his band's sound better than he can.

The band's myspace, www.myspace.com/bellfield, lists them as an alternative/rock/roots band with a "highly structured, yet occasionally ethereal, alternative rock sound." Their influences include Dave Matthews Band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Beatles.

"Keeping an open-minded, collective approach to song-writing, the band is never short on ideas or opinions," said the band's myspace.

Gallik agrees that their sound is a mix of different band members' influences and is difficult to describe.

"We've got songs that have a folk influence, some have a funk influence or a blues influence, but they all piece together in some way," Gallik said over the phone Monday.

CAB will sponsor Bellfield, hailing from Knoxville, Tenn., in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at the ArtStreet Amphitheatre. Curbside Watermelon Waterfall, a three-piece band of UD students, will open for Bellfield at 7 p.m. There will be free food and drinks, and each student that attends the concert will receive a free raffle ticket to win an 8 GB iPod Nano. The concert, part of the first October weekend scene, is free and open to the public.

"CAB picked this band after researching online for a younger and more unique style of music that students on campus could enjoy," said CAB concert co-chair Steven Parker. "Students will be attracted to Bellfield because the band uses influences that many students are familiar with. By incorporating the style of music from these bands, Bellfield has a similar, yet unique feel to their music."

Bellfield was founded by Gallik and Rob Morrow after the death of their friend in 2004. The three grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same school and played sports together. Morrow and Gallik lost touch with each other when they went to college, but after their friend's death, Gallik and Morrow rekindled their friendship. They've been playing music together ever since. Bellfield formed out of a wish to carry on their friend's spirit.

"It sounds cheesy, but I wouldn't be playing in this band with these people if Preston hadn't gone through what he did," Gallik said.

The five-piece band includes guitarists Gallik and Morrow, drummer Jimi Touche, pianist Jed Eaton and bassist Jason Gostkowski.

Bellfield has played with bands such as Carbon Leaf, A.L.O, John Popper, and The Monkees. They toured the Southeast, including all over Tennessee and as far south as Atlanta, but this will be their first time playing in Dayton, and Gallik says they are excited to extend their tour this far.

"Hopefully we will play a couple hours of music [UD students] can enjoy and remember," he said. "We hope they have a really good time."