While some bands defy categorization, others outright refuse it.

When asked about his band’s music, Craig Miller, the bassist for Danger Is My Middle Name, was reluctant to dive into categories. The band’s music could be classified as pop punk, he said, but he would rather let the audience decide.

“[It’s] whatever the listener wants to make of it,” he said.

He and the other members of Danger Is My Middle Name will bring their brand of music to the Blue Moose Tap House, 211 Iowa Ave., at 5 p.m. Saturday. Local acts Kidnap the Sun, Worse Case Scenario, and Final Alibi, in addition to Chicago-based the Action Blast, will also perform. Admission is $8.

For Miller, who began as a guitarist before turning to bass, the band’s music is a departure from what he initially started playing.

“I got my first guitar when I was 13; I sucked at it,” the bassist said. “I actually starting playing metal.”

While Miller said he likes the intricacies of metal, he prefers playing pop punk because it’s more fun for him and his listeners.

“It was less difficult to play,” he said. “You’re able to have more fun on stage. Whenever I see bands, the more fun they have, the more fun I have.”

While most bands would spend months practicing before hitting the road, Danger members chose a different route and began touring the Midwest soon after forming in 2007.

The group recorded two EPs within the first year. It also put out a third EP, Sink Or Swim, in 2009, and the members plan to release another later this year.

Despite success in touring and radio play, the group has never put out a full-length record. Miller said the band would like to release full albums, but right now, it isn’t possible because of financial concerns. The members currently handle all of their own finances.

“It’s not like we want to keep [releasing EPs instead of full-lengths],” the bassist said. “It’s just all we can afford.”

Still, he said, there are benefits to focusing on releasing shorter recordings. Danger is able to record more than just once every couple years, he pointed out, and it “keeps fans more interested.”

Danger has played in Iowa City before, including a show with Lucky Boys Confusion at the Industry — where the Blue Moose is now located.

Josh Ivey, who books shows at Blue Moose, said Danger drew a good crowd when it played the Industry show. The concert’s early start is meant to capitalize on that, he said, and allow fans of the band who may not be able to attend a later show to see it perform.

“We felt that some of their fans and fans of that genre of music would not be of bar age, and we didn’t want to discriminate against people who want to see them,” Ivey said.

Miller said that in addition to playing here often, the band members also have several friends who live in the Iowa City area.

Perhaps because of this, he said, Iowa City tends find the party in the guys.

“Whenever we play Iowa City, it’s always a good time,” Miller said. “[There’s] usually a good party afterwards. Iowa City just kind of brings that out in us.”