Man Overboard: myspace.com/manoverboardnj

Skip the Foreplay: Marc-André Fillion - Vocals Chuck Pilon- Guitar Mathieu Maltais - Guitar Julien Guy-Béland - Bass Marc-André Lemyre - Drums Jean-Michel Aumais - DJ

Pierce The Veil: Pierce the Veil is a San Diego, CA hardcore/post hardcore band formed by brothers Mike and Vic Fuentes with Joe Tancil and Mitchell Balatore. The brothers came into the San Diego hardcore/punk scene when they were in high school with their band Early Times. When the owner of Equal Vision Records saw them at a show in San Diego, the brothers had a record deal right out of high school. They released A Celebration of an Ending under the band name Before Today, changing the name Early Times due to copyright infringement on the beer with the same name.

The band toured heavily after the album's release in 2006, and when they returned the band broke up, leaving Mike and Vic on their own. The duo was still backed by Equal Vision and they continued to write songs until they had enough for their second album, A Flair for the Dramatic. With the new album came a new name: Pierce the Veil. Pierce the Veil also acquired two new members: guitarist Tony Perry and bassist Jamie Preciado.

Pierce the Veil performed a number of concert dates for three months after the album's release, including tour dates on the '07 and '08 Warped Tours and The Delicious Tour, which they headlined. Their third album, Selfish Machines, was released in 2010 and made it to the number one spot on Billboard's Heat Seekers Chart. Following the success of the album, Pierce the Veil embarked on a year's worth of concert dates in 2010, including performances at Bamboozle, South by Southwest, the Take Action Tour with Attack Attack!, and tour dates on the This is a Family Tour, which ended in December of 2010.

In true Pierce the Veil fashion, the band has announced tour dates for 2011 on The Gamechanger's Tour. Concert dates for the 2011 tour will feature quite the line-up of supporting bands, including A Day to Remember, Bring Me the Horizon, and We Came as Romans. While Pierce the Veil hasn't been on the mainstream music scene for long, they are definitely on the rise and will put on a concert date that fans won't soon forget. Be sure to catch the tour dates in 2011 so that you can say "I knew them when."

All Time Low: Pop-punk band All Time Low takes their name from the lyrics of popular pop-punk band New Found Glory. The success of their 2009 album, Nothing Personal, and the anticipation over the upcoming release of Dirty Work shows that All Time Low has been taking notes from their musical forefathers. All Time Low has become a favorite at Warped Tour dates and performed concert dates at some of the biggest festivals around the world. Their live performances are full of youthful energy and mayhem, and one particular tour date in 2010 has All Time Low banned from performing at any Six Flags park. Fans can look forward to numerous concert dates in 2011 once Dirty Work drops. All Time Low is mixing it up on their upcoming tour dates by playing places that you wouldn't normally think to have shows.

Guitarist and lead singer Alex Gaskarth, guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist Zack Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson all met while attending high school in Baltimore, Maryland. All Time Low recorded the EPs The Three Words to Remember in Dealing with the End and Put Up or Shut Up, as well as their debut LP, The Party Scene all before graduation day. Immediately after graduation, All Time Low began playing tour dates across the country as their music crept towards mainstream popularity. In 2007 All Time Low released their second album, So Wrong, It's Right, and the single "Dear Maria, Count Me In" went gold without much promotion or airplay. The members of all time low reached the next plateau of success with their 2009 album, Nothing Personal which became the band's best-selling and highest charting album to date. The album debuted at #4 on the charts and was followed by an appearance in the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack. By this time, All Time Low was headlining concert dates on the Warped tour, as well as supporting some of the biggest names in music -- like Eminem and The Flaming Lips -- on festival tour dates.

While co-headlining the Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 tour dates (which brought on the Six Flag ban), the members of All Time Low began work on their latest album, Dirty Work. The album is set to release on June 7, and just because the album's finished doesn't mean All Time Low isn't busy playing 2011 concert dates around the world. While All Time Low is playing many standard venues on these 2011 tour dates, they're also performing at many retail stores and cafes, which allows for autograph signings and chances for fans to meet the band. Fans should not miss the chance to see All Time Low at these intimate tour dates, so be sure to check Eventful for all the details.

Miss May I: Miss May I is a Metal/Thrash band out of Dayton Ohio. We write our music to be technical and different. Assembled by 16 year old members we plan to show our talent for our young age as we thrive to become known and have a crowd who has as much dedication and fun as we do.

Taking Back Sunday: Taking Back Sunday was largely responsible for the mainstream post hardcore movement in the early 2000s. Their combination of hardcore and pop punk has produced hit records and generated engaging tour dates for nearly ten years, with no plans of stopping soon. Taking Back Sunday's eponymous album has just released and is already garnering some well deserved buzz. There is also lots of talk about the group's current tour dates in 2011 which extend until the end of summer.

Taking Back Sunday was formed in 1999 by Eddie Reyes, who had already been a pioneer in the hardcore scene in Long Island. After numerous tour dates with like-minded bands around New York, Taking Back Sunday signed with Victory Records and released their debut album, Tell All Your Friends, in 2002. The album contained a number of hit singles (including "Cute Without the 'E' (Cut from the Team)) that brought Taking Back Sunday their first taste of mainstream success. The band experienced even more success with Louder Now in 2006, which contained a lot of the energy audiences experience on tour dates and shot to the top of the Billboard charts.

Taking Back Sunday's latest self-titled album already has critics and fans talking, in particular the singles "Faith (When I Let You Down)" and "This Is All Now." The album has delighted fans (and the band's members) that were disappointed in their previous album, New Again. Part of fans' exuberance is the fact that the album was recorded using Taking Back Sunday's classic lineup of John Nolan, Adam Lazzara, Eddie Reyes, Shaun Cooper, and Mark O'Connell; the same lineup that recorded their first hit album, Tell All Your Friends.

Taking Back Sunday is celebrating their successful new album with ongoing tour dates in 2011, currently in the western United States as of late June. US concert dates in 2011 will visit many a House of Blues before heading to Ireland on August 21. Taking Back Sunday will visit the UK (including the Reading and Leeds Festival), Italy, and Germany before concluding their 2011 tour dates on September 7. For all of Taking Back Sunday's tour date information, just visit Eventful.

Breathe Carolina: Kyle Even and David Schmitt of Breathe Carolina are putting the rock back in electronic music. The Denver duo rose to fame thanks to GarageBand software and MySpace that have promoted their unique blending of modern rock and a variety of synthesizers, and even a keytar. After only four years as Breathe Carolina, the duo is already headlining huge tour dates and their 2009 album, Hello Fascination, shot to the top of the dance charts. Fans who enjoyed the aforementioned album are overwrought over the recent release of Breathe Carolina's third album, Hell Is What You Make It. In honor of the record's release, Breathe Carolina is embarking on summer tour dates in 2011 with special guests, Scream It Like You Mean It.

David Schmitt and Kyle Even knew each other from separate bands that often played together in Colorado. After their respective band broke up, the two formed their own band in 2007 and began tinkering with music on GarageBand. The songs eventually gained fantastical plays on MySpace and Breathe Carolina began playing local tour dates. GarageBand also played a pivotal role in recording their debut studio album, It's Classy, Not Classic, which shot to #5 on the dance charts and #6 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.

The album brought Breathe Carolina their first headlining tour dates, which continued up until recording began for their second album, Hello Fascination. The record performed even better on the Billboard charts and was even more well received by fans and critics. This led to an even busier concert schedule that included tour dates on the Warped Tour and performances on talk shows like The Jay Leno Show. Breathe Carolina's latest record, Hell Is What You Make It, has shown an evolution and maturity of the band; much to the delight of fans and audiences. The lead single, "Blackout", has already caused a stir thanks to MTV and fans are looking forward to the upcoming tour dates in 2011.

Breathe Carolina's upcoming North American tour dates in 2011 -- featuring Scream It Like You Mean It -- begin on July 15 in Seattle and will head South to circle around the edge of the US and Canada. The concert schedule will last roughly two months, with 2011 tour dates ending on August 26 in Breathe Carolina's hometown of Colorado. Don't miss this opportunity to catch these rising stars on their 2011 tour dates and buy your tickets on Eventful today.

Matt Toka: My name's Matt Toka. I'm 22 years old. I was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. All these songs you hear have been recorded straight through live at my house. Life hasn't been easy, but whose is? When my Mom and Grandpa got locked up I knew I had to make a change... So thank you for taking the time to check out MATT TOKA MUSIC. I really want this page, to not just be about my music, but a vehicle for everyone to share their stories of struggle, heartache, life's challenges etc... It's so true "Everyone has a story". God knows if we can stick together, we can keep growing, learning, and living. Matt

Senses Fail: Senses Fail is possibly the most successful and popular post-hardcore/emo bands still in existence. Since the release of their debut EP, From the Depths of Dreams, in 2002, Senses Fail has gathered a huge following of loyal — primarily younger — fans, thanks to a lightning fast musical speed and intense tour dates. The band's latest album, The Fire, has become a huge success and proved that Senses Fail has a unique type of staying power. They recently just wrapped up tour dates for 2011 on the PMA Tour with new guitarist Matt Smith, and both the album and the recent concert dates show a promising future for the veteran screamo band.

In 2002, Senses Fail began its journey in New Jersey when lead singer Buddy Nielsen posted a BFN (band formation notice) on the internet. Shortly after, 15 year old drummer Dan Trapp and his guitarist friends Dave Miller and Garett Zablocki answered the call to join. It took a while before former Tokyo Rose drummer Mike Glita rounded out the band on bass.

After playing nearly any gig they could find, Senses Fail recorded their debut EP, From the Depths of Dreams, in 2002. The album was surprisingly successful and furthered by the band's activity on the internet. Drive-Thru Records re-released the album and it reached #144 on the Billboard charts; a huge feat for a debut EP. Senses Fail released their debut LP, Let it Enfold You, in 2004 to a favorable reception. The album's success was furthered by music video for the single, "Buried a Lie," and numerous tour dates. Unfortunately, guitarist Dave Miller left the band in 2005 and was replaced by Heath Saraceno (ex-Midtown guitarist).

With a new lineup, Senses Fail released their second full-length album in 2006, titled Still Searching. The album was a huge success and was praised as being even better than the previous, partially due to a slightly softer sound and better structured songs. Unfortunately, after the release of the album, bassist Mike Glita left the band and was replaced by Jason Black of Hot Water Music. Senses Fail outdid themselves on their next album, Life Is Not a Waiting Room, in 2008. The album was a huge success, due in part to the heavy, dark, and violent emotional turmoil of Buddy Nielsen that is expressed in the songs. Again, after the album's release, guitarist Heath Saraceno left the band.

Instead of using Saraceno's replacement -- Zack Roach -- on the next Senses Fail album, guitarist Garret Zablocki recorded both guitar pieces on the entire record. The album, The Fire, was released in 2010 and has been called Senses Fail's finest record to date, improving on their already successful sound. The Senses Fail curse hit once again though, as Zablocki soon left the band and was replaced by Strike Anywhere guitarist Matt Smith. With each album they release growing more successful and popular than the last, fans are excited to see what Senses Fail will come up with next. With tour dates on the PMA Tour all done, Senses Fail has added a couple of dates to their 2011 tour schedule. Senses Fail has four scheduled shows in the middle of July in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Check Eventful for all the details on these new intimate tour dates in 2011.

Mayday Parade: This Tallahassee group formed when two local bands, Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment decided to put their talents together in 2006. Soon after and still without a name, the pop-punk group went into the studio and recorded their first EP, Tales Told by Dead Friends. They finally decided on a name, released the EP, and Mayday Parade went on to book tour dates as the opener for Plain White T's. Blending emo, pop, and alt-rock, Mayday Parade concert dates are emotionally charged and energetic-- all of which combines to result in rave live show reviews from fans and critics alike.

After gaining attention from A&R execs at Fearless Records, the group was signed and in January, 2007 they hit the studio to record their first LP, A Lesson in Romantics. Right before the release date, lead singer Jason Lancaster, left the band for undisclosed reasons. Mayday Parade hauled on and released the record, which became an indie hit and peaked at #8 on the BIllboard Heatseekers chart. In support of the album, Mayday Parade tour dates were booked on the 2007 Vans Warped Tour and as part of The Give it a Name Festival in Sheffield and London. Further Mayday Parade concert dates were scheduled in 2008 at the Vans Warped Tour and the Compromising of Integirty, Morality, and Principles in Exchange for Money Tour.

The band hit the studio in 2009 to record a follow-up to their moderately successful debut. What ended up being Anywhere but Here, was released in 2009 and peaked at #31 on the Billboard 200 as a result of their loyal following. Mayday Parade concert dates were scheduled once again at the Vans Warped Tour 2010 and they co-headlined the UK tour, The Maine. Following a hectic touring schedule, Mayday Parade released a stripped-down acoustic EP entitled Valdosta in March, 2011.

Whether they are paring it down with their acoustic guitars or rockin' their punk-emo material, Mayday Parade tour dates are the hottest ticket in town since New Found Glory. Fans will not want to miss out on the opportunity to see these guys live. Stay informed: use Eventful as your source for all the latest Mayday Parade concert schedule updates for tour dates through 2011 and beyond.

VANNA: New England post-hardcore group Vanna have spent the last several years on a personal journey, and it's the experience of living on the road that has helped them to discover who they truly are. After years of relentless touring and musical growth, the band has found balance with A New Hope, both literally and figuratively.

Since the bands formation in 2004 Vanna – Chris Preece (vocals), Nick Lambert (guitar/vocals), Evan Pharmakis (guitar/vocals), Shawn Marquis (bass) and newcomer Chris Campbell (drums) – have built a strong following based on their killer live shows, which helped garner attention from Epitaph Records. The band signed with the label in 2005 and released their debut EP, The Search Party Never Came, the following year. With the EP's release came extensive touring until it was time to release their full length album, Curses, in 2007. Signaling growth sonically from the EP, Curses highlighted the band's metalcore side establishing them as one of the most interesting up-and-coming bands in the post-hardcore scene.

After almost two years of touring in support of Curses, the band returned to their roots and entered the studio with producer Steve Evetts (Every Time I Die, Story of the Year) to record A New Hope. With widening musical vision and hard-won experience under their belts, Vanna tackled the writing and recording of A New Hope with an added perspective and understanding.

"The writing and recording process naturally becomes more dialed and decisive with each record," explains Preece. "This record was approached with more of a group mentality. We talked a lot about what we liked and disliked about our last two releases, and each one of us were able to express ourselves in every step of the process."

"Steve Evetts was honestly just a great fit for us," adds Pharmakis. "For me personally it was great because I feel my relationship with the producer is important. If we mesh well it shows in the recording. The more comfortable you are the better you perform, the better you can concentrate and the better ideas you come up with as a team, as far as harmonies and melody ideas. And Steve was a great mentor. Chris Preece and I really meshed our lyric and vocal ideas together in a different way on this album and it worked out great. We definitely got to show a more melodic side on the record. I'd like to think this new record is like the perfect mix between our last two releases but with the sound we always wanted...and the skill it took time to earn."

The result of their collaborative efforts are twelve smartly written tracks that highlight the band's musical evolution, balancing the perfect fusion of emotive rock and perilous hardcore.

"Into Hell's Mouth We March," the first song released from A New Hope, rips the album open with the group's finest mix of melody and hardcore yet. While fans will appreciate Vanna's signature mix of weighty breakdowns and uplifting choruses, they'll also hear a progression in song-writing, gang vocals and more melodic singing from guitarist/vocalist Evan Pharmakis which makes for a much more accessible sound. Anthemic tracks like the first single "Safe To Say" and "We Are Nameless" bring the goosebumps, pushing with trashing guitars and pulling with captivating melody until you are chanting alongside the dueling vocalists.

"I feel like A New Hope is a fresh start," says Pharmakis. "This is exactly where we want to be, and I couldn't be happier with the direction of our music. This is Vanna, we are finally Vanna."

As Vanna looks forward with A New Hope, they continue down their unpredictable path of self discovery, continually growing and evolving with new purpose and A New Hope.

We The Kings: We the Kings is one of the latest up-and-coming pop punk bands to enter the mainstream, even with only two albums out. Over the past several years, We the Kings have been found on tour dates with some of the biggest names in pop punk and hardcore, including The Maine, Never Shout Never, and Mayday Parade. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of We the Kings' latest album, Sunshine State of Mind, on July 12. In the meantime, the band can be found on their summer concert schedule in 2011, including tour dates in Australia.

Guitarist and lead singer Travis Clark, guitarist Hunter Thomsen, his younger brother and bassist Drew, and drummer Danny Duncan had all been friends since they were kids. In 2003, they decided to form a band and began posting tracks on Purevolume four years later. In no time at all, We the Kings released their eponymous album which contained the hit, breakout single, "Check Yes Juliet." This led to major tour dates in support of bands like Boys Like Girls and Cobra Starship, in addition to performing on the 2008 Warped Tour.

We the Kings released Smile Kid in 2009, which was praised for its broadening of the band's sound. The album did well on the charts and launched We the Kings into the next echelon of fame. They played tour dates on the 2009 Bamboozle Roadshow Tour , which was followed by their first headlining tour dates on the Hot Topic Presents: Take Action Tour. We the Kings continued to headline tours, including dates with I See Stars and their friends The Maine and Never Shout Never.

We the Kings are heading out on more headlining tours this summer on their 2011 concert schedule. Beginning on July 7, We the Kings will embark on a number of tour dates throughout the US, including mall concerts and appearances at Six Flags theme parks. They will be supported by The Summer Set, The Downtown Fiction, Hot Chelle Rae, and Action Item before heading to Australia on August 27. We the Kings will only play five tour dates in Australia before their 2011 concert schedule ends on September 1, so buy your tickets today!

For Today: For Today has played with many national acts, too many to name. With a hard work ethic and a never ending goal to God's will and go as far as possible, For Today has completed many smaller tours as well as a 2 week midwest tour in April 2006 and a 4 week East Coust/South/Midwest tour in June 2006. They just finished recording 2 new songs to demo material for record labels with engineer Mike Dresch (Nodes of Ranvier, Bloodlined Calligraphy, War of Ages, etc.) and you can hear the new material on their myspace right now as well! For Today is still currently unsigned and doing everything by themselves but are shopping around for a record label to release a full length on and to tour full time to come to a city near you (if they haven't already!).

Four Year Strong: Four Year Strong is a five-piece American pop punk band from Worcester, Massachusetts.

3/5 of the current band members were in the original lineup that dates back to 2001. Dan, Alan, and Jake all attended Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, Massachusetts, and eventually ended up meeting through introductions from mutual friends. After the departure of the original bassist, 2 or 3 years after formation, the band met Joe, eventually asking him to fill the position as the band's bassist. Four Year Strong's earlier compositions never included any keyboards, or synthesizers, but soon began to incorporate its sound into their music. The band cycled through many keyboardists, but recruited their current keyboardist Josh Lyford in late 2006. Over the past years, the band has done multiple national tours, sharing the stage with such bands as The Starting Line, Hellogoodbye, From First to Last, Every Time I Die, Meg & Dia, Hidden in Plain View, All Time Low, Mayday Parade, New Found Glory, Bayside and Steel Train. The band will be touring in February-April 2009 as part of the Taste of Chaos tour, alongside Thursday, Bring Me the Horizon, Pierce the Veil, and Cancer Bats. They are going on the Summer Co-Headline Tour w/ Set Your Goals guests include Set Your Goals, Fireworks, The Swellers, Polar Bear Club, A Loss For Words, Drive A, & Grave Maker from July 16 to August 26, 2009

The band's 2007 release Rise or Die Trying hit #31 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart in 2007.[2] Four Year Strong was signed to Decaydance in February 2008.[3]

On July 21st, 2009, Four Year Strong released an album of covers from the 90's. The album features guest appearances from Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die, Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes, and JR and Buddy of Less Than Jake.

(From Wikipedia) http://www.myspace.com/fouryearstrong

Of Mice & Men: OM&M is a new project from Austin Carlile, former frontman of Attack Attack, and Jaxin Hall, an international import all the way from Auckland New Zealand. The two worked with friends to record their first demo they wrote and recently made another one, both of which are posted on the page. The two are headed to Los Angeles California to write and play with the rest of the members, who will be announce shortly! Thanks, and stick around for more news, pictures, merchandise, and information soon!

Funeral Party: Band Members: Chad Elliott- [Vocals] James Torres- [Guitar] Kimo- [Bass] Tim Madrid- [Drums] Danny Kid- [Percussion / Keyboards]

New Found Glory: For the past fifteen years the Coral Springs, Florida, pop-punk act have transcended trends and gimmicks by writing songs from the heart that listeners of all ages can relate to.

Every Time I Die: Buffalo-based metalcore quintet Every Time I Die formed in the winter of 1998. Spearheaded by brothers Keith (vocals) and Jordan Buckley (guitar), the founding lineup also included guitarist Andrew Williams, bassist John McCarthy, and drummer Michael "Ratboy" Novak. During their first short tour of New York and Canada, the fledgling group befriended Goodfellow Records chief Chris Logan, who released their debut EP, The Burial Plot Bidding War, in 2000. Bassist Aaron Radaczyk replaced McCarthy prior to recording Every Time I Die's first full-length effort, Last Night in Town, issued via Ferret Records in the spring of 2001. The band supported the album on tour with Killswitch Engage, and in the summer of 2002 joined the annual Warped Tour. Another bassist swap brought on Steven Micciche, who joined Every Time I Die in time for their 2003 sophomore effort, Hot Damn!, as well as a U.S. tour in support of Jackass alum Steve-O. In early 2005 Micciche resigned from the lineup, prompting the addition of ex-Between the Buried and Me bassist Kevin Faulk, who was ousted just three months later following sessions for the band's third LP, Gutter Phenomenon. Former Nora bassist Chris Byrnes was named his replacement. Phenomenon was released that August and touring commenced. The guys spent summer 2006 on the main stage at Warped, after which Byrnes announced he too would be exiting the group. Undeterred, the guys soon brought on bassist number six, ex-The Chariot's Keller Harbin, and continued touring through November alongside Atreyu and From First to Last before beginning work on their next album. Every Time I Die also released the DVD Shit Happens in late October, and soon after, the band entered the studio with producer Steve Evetts (Dillinger Escape Plan, Saves The Day) and began work on 2007's The Big Dirty.

Yellowcard: Pop-punk rockers Yellowcard rose to fame during the genre's rise in the early 2000s. Their album Ocean Avenue brought them to the forefront of the mainstream and launched the band into the upper echelons of fame. Yellowcard's international tour dates display an energy and comfortability rarely rivaled by bands today. After going on hiatus in 2008, Yellowcard has returned to the public eye with the release of When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes in March 2011. The band's return to music also includes current 2011 tour dates, which has come as a relief to Yellowcard's fans.

Yellowcard's first two albums -- Midget Tossing (1997) and Where We Stand (1999) -- featured a hardcore punk sound and did not feature the vocal stylings of Ryan Key. Key brought a more popular and accessible pop punk sound to their third album, One for the Kids, and The Underdog EP, which gained Yellowcard much more attention. It also scored the group a record deal with Columbia Records, which released Ocean Avenue in 2003. The album's title track began playing on MTV and soon became a smash hit, launching Yellowcard into stardom. The album became so popular that Yellowcard was immediately given two years worth of headlining tour dates, further building their fan base.

After numerous delays, Lights and Sounds was released in 2006 and featured an alt rock sound that strayed from their hit style. Yellowcard brought back a portion of that pop-punk sound on their 2007 album, Paper Walls, which was followed by another couple of years playing tour dates. The strain touring put on the band member's personal lives became a little too much, and Yellowcard went on an indefinite hiatus in 2008. In August 2010, Yellowcard announced that they were working on new tracks, which was followed by their first concert date in four years in November. When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes was released in March 2011 and has received rave reviews from critics and fans, who not only call it a comeback for Yellowcard but also their best album yet.

In true Yellowcard fashion, the band is currently performing a number of tour dates in 2011. Currently in the US, Yellowcard will play a handful of concert dates in South America beginning on July 24. On August 24, the band will begin touring Europe, with tour dates in nearly a dozen countries before heading to Australia on September 24. On October 8, Yellowcard will return to the US to canvass the country once more before ending their 2011 tour dates on November 18. With so many concert dates for Yellowcard this year, check Eventful for all the details.

Lostprophets: Lostprophets in Zagreb

Born of Osiris: BORN OF OSIRIS is said to be "an epic mix of intricate and memorable melodies with challenging time signatures that still hold an infectious groove, all while maintaining sheer, tasteful brutality."

Owen Plant: "Owen Plant stands apart from the crowd. In a world where so many want to sound like someone else, Owen stays true to his own sound - and a great sound it is!" - Matt Smith, manager of Legendary Club Passim.

Owen Plant is a Jamaican-born acoustic troubadour out of Boston who can be found playing in clubs, colleges, and cafes and street performing in Europe, Canada, and the U.S. (from Vermont and Key West to Arizona, L.A., and San Francisco). Owen's music often features reggae against a backdrop of the classic storytelling singer/songwriter. He is influenced by such artists as James Taylor, Jack Johnson, Cat Stevens, Sting, and Bob Marley, and his diverse cultural and musical background gives Owen a unique sound that impresses and delights fans and industry folks alike.

Owen's musical development began at age 7 with classical piano lessons and a children's performance group, where he was taught African and Caribbean rhythms on the congas. The Children's Workshop, as it was called, toured the country playing traditional Jamaican and American pop songs. He first picked up the guitar in 1995 and within days had penned his first song. Owen writes songs with powerful, heartfelt lyrics that bounce between different genres and languages while being infectious and universally appealing.

Owen Plant's music draws great strength from a troubled past as his lyrics and poetry dig deep into human suffering but also embrace hope and redemption. He takes great pride in participating in the Boston/NYC Improbable Players, a traveling acting troupe of recovering addicts that focuses on drug and alcohol awareness education. He finds it both personally fulfilling and artistically inspiring and is in the process of incorporating his music into their repertoire.

Before embarking on a solo career in 2001 with the release of his EP "This is the One," Owen Plant fronted the critically-acclaimed band Shake Senora and produced one album with them. He has since released two additional albums - the live "Back on Earth" and a full-length studio CD, "Rock Just a Little. He has become a mainstay at Club Passim, Cambridge's legendary folk venue that was instrumental in the careers of singers like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, and his March 2006 performance there drew a sold-out audience of 220. He was accepted to the highly competitive street-performing program at Faneuil Hall, one of Boston's most famous attractions, and regularly plays there for tourists and local fans. Outside of the East Coast, he's hit the pubs and streets of Dublin, London, Liverpool and Paris. Owen Plant is rapidly expanding his fanbase with shows on the West Coast and in Canada, and plans to accept a return invitation to play Western Europe again in 2007.

"I admire his honesty and sincerity. He's driven, but not self-promoting. He's an artist not an entertainer, but he's entertaining. The difference is when you're an entertainer, you're an act, but when you're entertaining, you're yourself. Everywhere he goes people want him back. When he plays intimate settings like Club Passim, you can really get the feel. Owen comes from a different slant on things. He helps you feel and experience life in a different way... very emotional (and) heartwarming."

Tim Collins - former manager of acts such as Aeorosmith, Jonathan Edwards and Eddie Brakel

"Owen's music comes from a special place deep within him... it's not defined by boundaries and rules that limit and hold down most songwriters. His music is a joy to hear, his spirit great to be around."

Ralph Jaccodine - manager extraordinaire of artists like Ellis Paul and Antje Duvekot

"(Owen is) a talented and engaging man. He's wonderful on stage; he really connects with an audience.... he has a wonderful future ahead of him."

Livingston Taylor - singer/songwriter and mentor to many aspiring artists.

Bayside: Bayside formed in Long Island, NY during the winter of 2000, after the requisite line-up changes of a young band were settled, they moved rapidly, establishing a fan base on the East Coast and touring North America. While still a very young band, Bayside began to catch the attention of various tastemakers, appearing on "From Brooklyn With Love," a compilation benefiting the victims of September 11th along with Taking Back Sunday, Brand New and The Reunion Show. Bayside recorded for the Dying Wish label in 2003 - the word was spreading, as the EP sold over 4,000 copies with no formal distribution and the band received in excess of 30,000 hits at mp3.com. Soon they were invited to contribute a song to "Bad Scene, Everybody's Fault," a Jawbreaker Tribute that featured Face To Face, Sparta and Fall Out Boy among others.

Transit: hey we are Transit we play music that's about it.

"Transit show so much potential on their debut here, the Let It Out EP, it's disgusting. You can tell something's about to break out within their hybrid of influences (most notable being Fairweather, Hot Water Music and a touch of Saves the Day), but they're just on the cuff of letting it out -- whatever it is, it's an incredibly unique, heartfelt and earnest type of emotional pop-punk." -Punknews.org

June Divided: 1. Go to college. 2. Get a job... or not. 3. Become a rock star.

It may not be a typical sequence of events, but it’s the tale of June Divided. While most starving artists cave in and join the 9 to 5 world, founding members Melissa Menago (vocals, guitar) and Chris Kissel (guitar) turned their backs on the struggling job market and started a band.

As the pieces fell into place, they turned to the only logical place to find a drummer… Craigslist. It was there that they met and soon fell in love with Keith Gill. Adding Rich Mancinelli (Taking Sides) on bass, the band became a quartet.

June Divided has an uncanny mass appeal. Drawing on post-rock guitar work and undeniable pop rock sensibilities, there is something for Explosions In The Sky and Jimmy Eat World fans alike. Brandishing honest lyrics, each song is a personal outlet. “A good song is universal – something we can all feel in one way or another,” says Menago.

Twin Atlantic: In the last couple of decades, the city of Glasgow has shone as one of the world's most vibrant and diverse music scenes. Twin Atlantic – a young four-piece whose ambitious debut mini-album, Vivarium, is packed with enormous sweeping riffs, moods that flit from light to shade, and impassioned vocals dripping with gorgeous Scottish vowels – are powering out of that creative hub of a hometown to take on the world.

The seeds of Twin Atlantic were sown when front man Sam McTrusty and bassist Ross McNae met at school, united by a love of music. Guitarist and cellist Barry McKenna came on board after driving the fledgling band around Scotland to tiny pub gigs. The final piece of the puzzle came in the shape of drummer Craig Kneale, who had been in an earlier band with Ross.

"It's very incestuous scene, but everybody helps each other and it's genuine," explains Sam. "If you're from Scotland you're pretty much an underdog from the start because everything's going on in London. I think it's awesome that there's loads of amazing music getting made in Glasgow."

Since those early days, they have evolved into one of the UK's most exciting new rock bands, poppy melodies twisted with a metallic crunch and shades of prog experimentation. After an ambitious EP, A Guidance From Colour, and show-stopping support slots with alt-rock legends Smashing Pumpkins and like-minded American prog rockers Circa Survive, fans are already showing up at gigs with their logo and lyrics tattooed to their bodies. They're far from an overnight success though - a lot of hard work has gone into this band. "Our practice space up until recently was Craig's dining room," says Sam. "We'd be at his house at 12 and practice until half four, and then he would go to sleep for two hours, get up, go to work at B&Q all night, sleep for two hours, wake up and then practice. He did that for months." They've always been a creative bunch. Barry was classically trained at the prestigious Royal Academy in Glasgow and started his career touring with orchestras. Ross studied photography and oversees the band's artwork, while Sam painted at art school, another experience that gave him the opportunity to develop the ideas whizzing around his head. Sam continues to paint – occasionally creating one-of-a-kind merch pieces for fans to buy.

In March 2009, Twin Atlantic headed over the ocean to the crazed streets of Austin, Texas to play four blistering shows at South by Southwest. Their American adventure took them to LA shortly afterwards to record ‘Vivarium' with producer John Travis, who has worked with Kid Rock, Sugar Ray, Static X and Social Distortion. With this unfamiliar environment looming on the horizon, Sam started working on the lyrics, for the first time looking outwards at the world around him.

"All the songs on the EP were all really personal, probably too personal. Just moaning about my problems and my family," Sam remembers. "But the lyrics on the new record are a lot more universal. The opening song ‘Lightspeed' fully encompasses the whole idea of the record, a kind of togetherness, and us being determined not to give up. There's a song called ‘You're Turning Into John Wayne', which is about Americanization. It relates to signing with an American label and we were on the phone to a lot of American producers all the time talking about going over there to record, and it was just in the front of my mind, the way American culture is everywhere. So much so that loads of bands put on fake American accents in hopes to be more commercially viable in the US, while it was important to us to stay true to our roots and just be ourselves. It's not meant as an anti-American song, we've had a blast in the US. It's more just an observation from a guy from Glasgow. And ‘Caribbean War Syndrome' came about because I was reading about being at war in Italy, and I was also playing a lot of the video game, ‘Medal of Honor,' so I wrote a song about people going to war in the Caribbean, that idea of trouble in paradise."

Twin Atlantic are poised for greatness. The group of fans who once held them as their little secret is growing like a virus, the word of mouth buzz about their intense live shows building a rock solid base that the band can rely on. And for Sam McTrusty, it's a state of affairs he's been sure of for as long as they have been playing together. ? "We're some of those people who just totally believe in ourselves," Sam smiles. "If people don't like our ideas we always think it's not that they don't like them, they just don't understand them. We're convinced by that wholeheartedly and determined to just keep on going and going, and that's why we've lost friends and girlfriends, fallen out with friends and family and got kicked out of flats to be in this band. So when we see other people believing in a wee story that we've written, that keeps pushing us."

But this, more than ever, is no time for complacency. After the summer festivals have been shaken to their foundations, it's time for the band to start thinking really big.

"My ambition is so great for this band that I'm never going to be really happy until we're one of the big guys," says Sam. "I don't really care what people think of that. I would love for our band to be one of the biggest bands in the world because I believe in myself and the other guys in the band so much. I believe we can do that."

Sick of Sarah: Sick of Sarah began in Minneapolis, MN in April 2005 as an all-female band with catchy hooks, unique lyrics, and thoughtful, well-crafted music. The band displays talent, passion, and an ever-present sense of humor that shapes many of their songs. They combine sympathetic acoustic moments with driving electric rock, often in the same song. With influences ranging from John Fohgerty to Joan Jett, Sleater-Kinney to Vanessa Carlton, Sick of Sarah brings an energy and blended alternative pop-rock style that will have you singing along after the first chorus.

Guitar player, lead singer, and songwriter, Abisha Uhl, 24 has an ear for pop, a mouth for rock, and an attitude for punk. She first picked up a guitar at age 13 in Okinawa, Japan where she lived until she was 18 and moved to the US. She began listening to Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton, which led to her becoming a solo artist in the Minneapolis area and eventually becoming a founding member of Sick of Sarah. Her lyrics speak maturely and sometimes humorously of love, loss, and often nothing at all, but regardless of the topic, Abisha will sing every song likes its the greatest thing anyones ever heard.

Lead guitarist and back-up vocalist, Katie Murphy, 23, was always involved some type of musical endeavor growing up in South St. Paul, MN. She began teaching herself piano at 15 years old and acoustic guitar when she was 16. Always looking to advance her skills, she picked up the electric guitar early on during the course of Sick of Sarah's construction per the bands request, and has since found that flexibility and creativity are the keys to her performance. Katie lists Jewel and John Fohgerty as her biggest musical influences.

Jessie Farmer, 26, originally from Peoria, IL decided on music as her passion at the tender age of 7 when a piano was introduced into her home. She learned both the guitar and drums after that. She found success as the touring bass player for prominent Minneapolis punk rock band, Babes in Toyland in 2000 and has also auditioned for Courtney Love. Jessie had sworn off the bass just before she was approached by lead singer Abisha to play in her new band. Influenced by Joan Jett and The Mamas and The Papas, Jessie brings a natural, seasoned rock tone as the bass player and back-up vocalist.

Drummer Brooke Svanes, 21, began playing drums when she was 11 years old and since then has become a meticulously skillful drummer. She was in bands all through her teen years in Bismarck, ND and now calls Minneapolis home. She may look at ease behind a set, but do not be fooled by her calmness; you are guaranteed to feel her Sleater-Kinney influence as well as a decade of practice in every beat she makes.

You may have noticed there is no one named Sarah in the band. The namesake for the band is in fact a Sarah--the lead singer's former roommate who stated one day she was just plain sick of her own name. It caught the girls' ears and then caught on.

I Fight Dragons: I Fight Dragons is Chicago's finest (and quite possibly only) NES-Rock band. They have very detailed delusions of grandeur, most of which include gross misuses of Nintendo products in combination with music in the Popular Rock genre.

This February, they sold out Chicago's Elbo Room as they self-released their debut EP, "Cool Is Just A Number," which has since gone on to chart nationally at 169 on the CMJ College Radio charts, and been featured across Commercial Radio formats in Chicago, on Alternative Rock (Q101), Top 40 (101.9 The Mix), and Independent Rock (93 XRT), as well as getting into rotation on KTCL (93.3) in Denver.

They use a talking computer a lot, or possibly a talking computer uses them a lot. They were selected as the Best new Chicago band for 2009 by Metromix.com. There are several TVs at all of their shows, occasionally showing people playing videogame versions of their songs, while the band plays the songs live on videogame controllers, and everyone's heads explode.

They played a date on this year's Warped Tour. They tend to release free music to their email list every couple weeks (but you already know, since you're on it, right?). This fall, they'll be branching out from Chicago to tour the nation for 2 months with mc chris. All in all, there are 6 of them, and at least one of them is really really cool, but they haven't figured out which one yet. It's Hari.

"I FIGHT DRAGONS is a High-Def concert experience influenced by an 8-bit video game dream world. They are both an audio and visual powerhouse to have at the club" -Brian Bender, Elbo Room Chicago Talent Buyer/General Manager

“I Fight Dragons’ EP, “Cool is Just a Number,” offers such catchy hooks that “irresistible” feels like an understatement.” -Metromix.com

champagne champagne: i'll keep this short. pearl dragon and me, dj gajamagic, joined forces in august of '07 to form Champagne Champagne. after a few months of writing songs thomas gray joined us two on stage to complete our line up. the only goal for our group is to make music that makes us feel good. i must say they are some feel good tunes.