To be in two bands, Justin Maranga admits, you have to have a split personality.

At least that's the case when the guitarist divides his time between Night Horse, a rowdy, hard-driving rock band, and the heavier, brooding metal band Ancestors.

The dichotomy is especially jarring, Maranga says, when he switches gears between the two bands in a single night, as he will Saturday when both bands perform in Sacramento at On the Y.

"When we play shows together, it's exhausting but fun – we're alike enough to be on a bill together but different enough that it requires two types of personalities," Maranga says, on the phone from his Los Angeles home.

Night Horse and Ancestors also share drummer Brandon Pierce.

Pierce, Maranga imagines, has it a little bit easier.

"He can just sit behind the drum kit and bash it out," Maranga says. "I have to adopt two different personas entirely. Night Horse is a much more outgoing band – very interactive with the crowd. But with Ancestors it's much more reserved – sometimes I don't even face the audience when I play.

Maranga and Pierce formed Night Horse with bassist Nick D'Itri in 2006, but it would be nearly two years before they played their first show.

"We just went through so many lineup changes and we were constantly looking for a singer and (another) guitarist. But nothing really came to fruition, so we didn't play a show for a really long time."

As the members of Night Horse waited to fill out the rest of the band, Pierce and Maranga joined singer Nick Long to form Ancestors. That band, with its moody, cacophonous sound, quickly gained a following among L.A. metal fans.

"It just took off while Night Horse was doing nothing," Maranga says.

But just when Ancestors' success may have seemed like the natural cue to let Night Horse die a quiet death, the latter band finally found its final pieces in singer Sam Velde and guitarist Gregory Buensuceso.

That was in mid-2007, and with everyone in place, the members of Night Horse finally started playing shows, making their debut immediately after an Ancestors CD release party.

"It was pretty awesome," Maranga says of the chance to finally take Night Horse in front of an audience. "The response we got was cool and ever since then it's just been a roller coaster."

That amusement park ride also included a new album, "The Dark Won't Hide You." Recorded over three days in an Arcadia studio, the album pays homage to a wealth of '70s rock influences such as Led Zeppelin and the Allman Brothers Band. It's a stark contrast to Ancestors' debut record, "Neptune With Fire." That disc, recorded in Santa Monica, with its torrent of gloomy, intense, almost violent riffs, draws on the likes of Black Sabbath and early punk bands.

A resolute DIY spirit connects both bands, Maranga says. "We all came up with that real underground punk, do-it-yourself attitude," he says. "It's the idea that if you don't promote yourself you'll never get anywhere."

Maranga admits being a bit surprised now that his bands, both on Tee Pee Records, not only have label help but also national attention.

"When you're used to doing things by yourself and suddenly people know about your band without you telling them about it – we get a little weirded out by that."

Amid all the various band responsibilities – the current tour, plans for new records – Maranga is working to finish his law degree. After taking the bar exam, Maranga intends to pursue entertainment law as well as handle both bands' legal affairs.

In the meantime, he says, the future looks good.

"I'm almost worried that there are too many good things in my life," he says. "It's a positive kind of worry – it's a very good place to be."

And no, Maranga isn't giving up any part of his busy schedule – including either of his bands.

"It's intense juggling both bands, but they're both crucial parts of my personality – I can't imagine doing one without the other."

Call Bee pop music writer Rachel Leibrock, (916) 321-1176.