variety of musical talents that hail from WSU and UW will perform at Apple Sauced 2009 on Wednesday at Seattle's Nectar Lounge.

The event celebrates the yearly Apple Cup rivalry between WSU and UW.

This year's Apple Sauced is the third installment presented by the Staxx Brothers.

The Staxx Brothers are a band that got their start at WSU. The band performs a variety of different music styles, group member Davin Stedman said.

"We're like OutKast and Jimi Hendrix at a barbecue doing acid, and (then) the Rolling Stones crash the party," he said about the Staxx Brothers' music.

Stedman described their style as "post-hip hop" and "hard ass soul."

The rapper Decurrian (AKA DC Staxx) said they got together in 2001 while they at WSU.

After leaving college, they gained new group members from Seattle, Decurrian said.

Other members of the Staxx Brothers include Angie Rickard, Michelle O'Connor, Chris O'Connor, Tony Stevens, Shane Smith and Denali Williams.

"We worked it out together for about four years now," Decurrian said. "We're on tour right now in California, so we've been working, keeping it steady."

They also have an album out called "We are The Blaxstonz," which was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Scott Colburn.

Stedman attributes his band's success to the experience he gained at WSU, which allowed him to figure out what he was good at. They also got support from Horace-Alexander Young, a WSU music professor.

"He gave us rehearsal space," Stedman said. "He was basically supportive all through the process."

At Apple Sauced, Decurrian will perform with the group and also have his own solo act.

Another performer at the event will be WSU alumnus and rapper Ayo.O, who said he is looking forward to Apple Sauced.

"It's basically one of the biggest shows. It involves the Cougars and the Huskies," he said. "I think it's one of the biggest events, sports-wise, in Washington. I'm playing for my Cougars out there, and it's going to be a full house, so I'm excited about that."

Apple Sauced takes place at 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Nectar Lounge, 316 N 36th St., Seattle.

Tickets are available at ticketweb.com and cost $10.

For more information on the Staxx Brothers, visit www.staxxbrothers.com. Music and information on Ayo.O can be found at www.myspace.com/ayosmic.