With enough brass to build a monument, Rustic Overtones is often dubbed a ska band.

But the seven member group, featuring three horn players on stage, does not categorize itself solely within the ska movement.

Joel Marquis, an executive at Ripcord Records, the group’s longtime label, described Rustic Overtones as “having an eclectic array of influences ranging from funk and punk to big band and swing, creating more of a rock with horns then a ska sound.”

With all those ingredients, Rustic Overtones has found itself opening for groups ranging from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, 311, and George Clinton & P-Funk All-Stars to Seven Mary Three, De La Soul, and Foxy Brown.

Hailing from Maine, Rustic Overtones is no newcomer to the music industry. Since 1993, the band has produced three full-length CDs and one EP.

The first three efforts — “Shishboombam” (1993), “Long Division” (1995) and the EP “My Dirt” (1996) — have established the band primarily in its home listening market.

Rustic Overtones’ stop at People’s Bar and Grill tonight is one of many planned in an already hectic year of touring for the group.

Scheduled in 1998 is a harried 250 plus tour dates ranging from coast to coast — 50 more than the band performed last year.

Rustic Overtone’s rigorous schedule could lead any group to burn out but “the energy of the music comes directly from the energy of the guys and that energy really helps get them through,” Marquis said.

Tonight is Rustic Overtones’ second stop in Ames this school year. The first appearance was last October when Rustic Overtones played after the Iowa vs. Iowa State game.

That reception, and others similar to it in Iowa City, has made Iowa one of frontman Spencer Albee’s “favorite places to play,” Spencer’s mother and band’s promotional manager Jan Albee said.

“The way he talks, if he had one place in the world to be rather than back home it would be Iowa,” Albee said.

That comfort and motivation will join Spencer and the band tonight when it arrives at its home away from home to play for all who come for some “rock with horns.”

Rustic Overtones will take the stage at People’s Bar and Grill tonight at 10 p.m. Admission is $3 at the door.