Jam bands don’t often share a stage with metal acts, but when defenseless animals are in need, a good cause is all it takes to bring them together.

Kristen Erickson, public relations and special events coordinator for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says although the league puts on about a dozen fundraisers yearly, Petapalooza’s musical setting provides a great opportunity to get more people involved.

“A concert gives us the chance to reach people who might not come to a fashion show or an auction,” she says.

The House of Bricks is hosting the event, and the lineup includes Gimmick, Twistin’ Trees, Glass Boxx, Tribulations of the Sun and 3 Day Meat Sale, which have all donated their talents for the event.

John Dingeman, lead singer of Gimmick, says it is important for the band to give something back, and that while the band will not make money that night, it will profit by getting exposure.

Ben Maynard, lead vocalist and guitarist of Twistin’ Trees, agrees and says when the band was asked to be involved, it couldn’t say no.

“Of course we were all about it because who doesn’t like animals, plus it is nice to play for new faces who wouldn’t have seen us otherwise.”

J.C. Wilson, owner of The House of Bricks, was in charge of picking the bands to participate, and says it was important to keep the audience in mind.

“Petapalooza tends to be a more mature crowd — ages that go beyond 24 years old — they tend to be the folk who like a cover tune,” he says.

All bands are donating their time to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, and Wilson says finding bands willing to play for the cause has never been hard.

“Bands are the coolest people,” he says. “It’s always been easy, especially finding good, viable bands for a good cause.”

Wilson says he did target cover bands primarily, but also looked for diversity when picking bands to ensure everyone will be comfortable with some act of the evening.

Wilson says he asked Gimmick to close the show because they are a versatile and popular band.

Dingeman says Gimmick plays an array of covers while still incorporating some original material into the mix, and anyone can get into its music, even his 6-year-old son.

He says the band’s sound is a result of different musical interest among members of the group, but it has definite rock roots. Influences include ’80s rock, Queen, Bon Jovi, Asian-inspired music and heavy metal, like Slipknot.

Wilson says his goal for the evening is to have fun and bring people into the venue.

“My goal is just having a packed house — a lot of people ready to have some fun and listen to some music. Our crowds at house of bricks have been averaging 100 to 150 people,” he says. “If the other bands bring in people, I’m sure it will be a pretty packed event.”

Dingeman says participating gives the band an opportunity to donate money to a good cause, in a way it may otherwise not be able to.

“On average we make about $500 to $600 at The House of Bricks, so hopefully that’s how much we can contribute,” he says. “We just thought it was a great opportunity to get a little more exposure and have some fun, plus it is for a good cause.”

In contrast to Gimmick, Twistin’ Trees offers a different sound to the night of musical entertainment that is just as diverse as its lineup. The nine-member band ranges from guitar to saxophone, and Maynard’s list of influences ranges from James Brown, Grateful Dead, Paul Simon and a ska element thanks to the horn section.

Maynard describes the outcome of this eclectic mix as “funky.” “We like to get down, it’s lots of happy stuff — not in a poppy way but in an energy way,” he says. “It makes me want to dance around.”

Twistin’ Trees is all about energy and transferring that energy to the crowd, Maynard says, and it is that energy which makes the band play harder.

“That’s what we play on,” he says. “That is what will drive us through our jams, so it’s kind of an interactive thing.”

This is Twistin’ Trees third benefit show. Maynard says he likes the idea of benefit concerts and has respect for musicians who participated in bigger fundraising concerts like Sept. 11 and tsunami shows.

Wilson says Twistin’ Trees is a good band for the event because its happy tunes will ease people into the night.

Wilson expects a repeat of last year’s Petapalooza.

“It is usually at full capacity and well attended,” he says.

What: Petapalooza

Where: The House of Bricks, 3839 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines

When: 7:30 p.m. March 18

Cost: $7, $6 with donation of pet food/supplies