Now that cupid’s day is in the rearview mirror this year, local bands are reclaiming Saturday as anti-Valentine’s Day.

Ben Mattox, the lead singer and guitarist of BenJammin & The Jammin Band, said local bands are coming to the Maverick Saloon in Soldotna for a nostalgic ‘90s and early 2000s grunge show.

“What’s better than emo pop punk?” Mattox said Thursday.

BenJammin & The Jammin Band has been playing locally for nearly a year and a half, Mattox said. The group even has an album out and available to stream.

For Saturday’s “Friend Zoned: An anti-Valentine’s Day show,” Mattox said he and his band will also play with Void, another local group.

He said he wanted to collaborate with another band to boost local musical talent on the Kenai Peninsula.

“Honestly, it’s just a time to get together and have fun,” Mattox said.

He also said it’s the perfect event for people who are tired of love and over being in the friend zone. He said the idea is to gather people together, who perhaps didn’t have a valentine’s date this year, to enjoy themselves.

“It’s kind of an outreach to the single people,” Mattox said.

The event is part of the Maverick Saloon’s annual anti-Valentine’s Day event, and is sponsored by multiple local businesses.

There will be a raffle for various prizes and local gift cards, as well as food and drinks available at the Maverick. The bands headline at 10 p.m. Saturday.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.