Members of Iowa State’s solar car team, Team PrISUm, are showcasing the talents of three local bands Thursday night with its annual benefit concert, SolarAide 2002.

Poison Control Center and Envy Corps, both of Ames’ own Bi-Fi Records, along with the Stumblebums of Cedar Rapids, will be playing the show. All proceeds will go toward the development of the solar car team’s most recent project.

“We are currently finishing up the design of our seventh solar car, PrISUm Spectrum, and will begin construction soon,” says Valerie Sandefur, Team PrISUm project director. “We are also making some upgrades on our last car, PrISUm Odyssey, with the plans of racing this car in a track race this summer.”

Team PrISUm is composed of ISU students from all majors and levels. The group’s objective is to design, construct, test and race a solar powered vehicle against other universities from around the world.

Sandefur says she is excited for this year’s concert lineup.

“The bands are awesome and the price is right for this type of event,” Sandefur says. “Poison Control Center is an animated, entertaining, hilarious group that always puts the crowd in a good mood.”

Last year Pookey Bleum was asked to play the benefit, but due to scheduling issues at the Maintenance Shop it’s alter ego, Spooky Doom, along with Poison Control Center, was put on the bill.

Sandefur says after explaining to Patrick Fleming, co-owner of Bi-Fi Records, what Team PrISUm does, and the team’s need for financial support, Fleming wouldn’t accept any money for the show.

“I think in his mind this is a good event for the bands because they get even more public exposure and they just enjoy playing for students,” Sandefur says.

Fleming, who also is a member of Poison Control Center, says he is happy to help out the cause.

“We had a really good time last year,” Fleming says. “They gave us a call to do it again this year we said `yes’ and gave them three bands for the show.”

Fleming says there are a number of reasons people should attend the show. Envy Corps will be releasing its new EP/ maxi-single at the show.

“This might be the best stuff we’ve ever released,” Fleming says.

“You can get the Envy Corps EP and just help out the solar car team. It’s a cool thing, and the people from the solar car team are really cool.”