Thriving on the West coast, ska is beginning to make a move from the underground to a mainstream front.

Iowa will soon be able to sample this up-and-rising style of music as ska legend Let’s Go Bowling brings its original sound to Ames on Saturday night.

“Ska is a great genre,” guitarist and singer for LGB Paul Miskulian said.

From the group’s first gig at a keg party in the fig orchards of Fresno, Calif., 11 years ago, LGB has combined an energetic blend of new-school beats, smooth guitars and a terrifically tight, old-school horn section creating a sound that always packs the dance floor.

“I feel good about being apart of ska’s move from underground to a more mainstream front,” Miskulian said.”Why not be able to turn on a radio and have a good time?”

Ska is not only infiltrating radio, but it is also making its move to the illustrious world of MTV. From Reel Big Fish’s “Sellout” getting prime- time air play to the Toasters and Less Than Jake being seen on 120 Minutes, ska is making its way into every music lover’s collection.

“It’s always great to be sitting there and watching MTV and see a buddy of yours up there on the television,” Miskulian said.

In LGB’s time together, the group has toured the U.S. and Canada playing for regularly packed houses including a crowd of 10,000 at San Francisco’s sold-out Earth Day festival.

LGB has also played extensively throughout the clubs of Northern and Southern California.

The group feels it has been lucky enough to tour with most of its major influences including The Selecters, Bad Manners, The Skatalites, The Specials and The Toasters.

In 1989, the group got its first U.S. tour supporting one of Britain’s favorite ska acts, The Potato 5.

“The only influence we haven’t toured with is Madness,” Miskulian said. “But we hope to one day.”

The group has also gone beyond live performances and has recorded two albums on Moon Ska Records.

Its 1991 release of “Music To Bowl By” sold more than 12,000 copies worldwide while the latest release “Mr. Twist,” has charted well on College Music Journal’s radio and retail charts.

Whether a well-seasoned hipster or a newcomer to ska music, LGB has something to offer all ska fans.

The band will be giving two performances on Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m at The M-Shop.

Tickets are $6 for students and $7 general admission. All ages are welcome.