Even during intermission, standing by the bar with their instruments nowhere near them, The OneUps are still the center of attention.

There's something inherently cool about them — something that makes wearing sunglasses and ties in back-alley bars seem normal. It's the same aura that draws anyone standing nearby into the conversation.

"It's like day and night," William Reyes, one of the band's guitarists and founding members, says. "We play big conventions, and there, you know everyone is there to see you. But here, there are a lot of people just out to drink with their friends and happen to stumble on the show."

Standing next to Reyes, the band's other guitarist, Tim Yarbrough, laughs.

During shows like the Penny Arcade Expo [PAX], playing for 5,000 people, The OneUps are hotshots. But in Fayetteville, The OneUps' moniker garners them about as much fame as the next local band to walk into the bar. Their hometown is the calm eye of the storm, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

"I love it," Yarbrough says. "I love playing the town. It's humbling. People don't always know us here. The second time we played PAX, we came back here a couple days after and realized we still had a lot of work to do, even though we had just come off a huge show."

If the eccentric group of musicians doesn't already draw attention near the bar, Matthew Bridges, their bassist, fixes that — but not on purpose.

"No matter where we are, people love these game melodies, and we love playing them."

He stands a head taller than anyone else. But, in true bassist fashion, he doesn't usually occupy the limelight. For most of the show, he'll be nodding his head while the rest of the band moves about the stage. Even during their drink break, Bridges hides behind his sunglasses, content to hang back and listen. Get him talking, though, and he takes off.

"Shows like PAX and [Music and Gaming Festival] are great," he says, "but I wouldn't be able to text my family and say, 'Hey! We're playing tonight, come out and see us!'

"But no matter where we are, people love these game melodies, and we love playing them. After every show, I'm immediately excited for the next one."

Intermission is almost over. Reyes begins to look around, searching for the OneUps' drummer, Jared Dunn. In doing so, he spots someone else.

"This is Mustin," Reyes introduces the newcomer to anyone listening. "The one that left the band."

The introduction is misleading: The OneUps' roster has been evolving since the band's inception, and numerous musicians have come and gone, opting to focus on other career endeavors or personal issues. But Mustin is different. He started The OneUps.

When asked if Mustin is his first or last name, he shakes his head. Because of estrangement from one side of his family, Mustin is his only name. It's a story he's told before, too many times, judging by the tone of his voice. But when his former bandmates say they were just talking about PAX, Mustin's mood changes.

"Oh man," he says, smiling. "PAX was incredible."