Coolest video of 2009!

Stereos

Stereos is a hot new up and coming punk band, already with a couple top 10 hits in Canada. These guys have a fun sound, similar to Metro Station and The Plain White Tee’s and will be on tour next year with Op Presents Band Boys Like Girls along with AMP’d bands Hedley and Faber Drive.

The self titled debut album was released in October, and have already produced 2 top 10 singles in their short careers.

Pick up the album now and check out one of the singles off Stereos, “Summer Girl” Check out their Myspace for tour dates!

The Friday Night Boys

Fueled By Ramen has done it again! They’ve signed and released another incredible album, this one from the band The Friday Night Boys, consisting of 4 friends from Fairfax, VA.

The guys are just coming off The Glamour Kills Tour, with All Time Low, Hey Monday and We The Kings. The guys will headline The Once It Hits Your Lips Tour in 2010.

Pick up the debut album, Off The Deep End now! Check out a LIVE Video of “Stuttering” here on AMP’d!

Best of 2009 mash-up

Hedley

Canadian punk band Hedley has just released their 3rd studio album, The Show Must Go On, featuring the catchy single, Ka-Ching!

For those who recognize the the lead singer, it's because lead singer Jacob Hoggard placed 3rd on the second season of Canadian Idol, and following the show, the band had a #1 single in Canada titled "On My Own"

Check out the video for Cha-Ching here!

Faber Drive!

Faber Drive just dropped the new single, "Give Him Up" from their upcoming album, Can't Keep A Secret. We're loving the sound! These guys remind me of Simple Plan, what ever happened to them?

Check out the video now!

New Boys Like Girls Video!

We're loving the new video from Boys Like Girls for their new single, "Two is Better Than One!"

Boys Like Girls - New Music - More Music Videos

The Debut album from Sparks The Rescue, titled “Eyes To The sun," is a true example of innovative rock music, with just the right pop infusion. According to the band, the album exemplifies the sonic story of a young band's hopes and dreams, love lost and found, and the desire to break out of their small town and make their mark on the world.

Sparks The Rescue has toured with The All American Rejects and have had their music featured on MTV's The Hills and The Real World: Cancun.

The just released video for “We Love Like Vampires”, should get the attention of both Team Edward and Team Jacob, which these days, is enough to top the charts!

Be sure to pick up the album now, at your local Best Buy or on ITunes and see the guys LIVE on the road all winter long! Check the MySpace for dates!

Christmas Light Hero!!

Martin's T-shirt sweeps is up!!!!

The entries are coming in fast!! Click the link to enter to win Martin's Op shirt worn and signed on The Op Presents Tour! http://bit.ly/8P61MP

Marit Larsen

If you say the name Marit Larsen in Norway, you may get the same reaction as saying Miley Cyrus in Disney Land.

While she may not be at Miley Cyrus level yet here in the U.S, her single“If a Song Could Get Me You” could put her well on her way. The single has the most airplay in history of any song in Norway, and has been viewed on YouTube close to 5 million times!

Her sound is sweet, young and infectious. Be on the lookout for the new album in Spring 2010! Marit is currently touring overseas, but I think we need to start a movement to get some shows here in America! Hit the MySpace for details!

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Breathe Carolina!

Like many bands these days, Dave Schmitt and Kyle Even can thank MySpace for helping these guys bring their band, Breathe Carolina, out from their garage and onto the Billboard charts.

The story of Breathe Carolina is a modern day music fairytale – one about two friends who recorded tracks on GarageBand at home in Denver, CO, put them on to MySpace and rapidly gained a huge online following that transformed their hobby into a career, and them into stars. “We got started just by hanging out,” reflects Kyle. “We just sat in a room and threw ideas back and forth, and had to take trips to the library to talk to people online because we didn't have Internet at our house.”

Breathe Carolina's most recent album, Hello Fascination, features a catchy, and innovative spin on Pop music that makes you want to pump your fist, bang your head and dance all at the same time.

The album, released off Fearless Records, is in stores and online now! Catch the guys on the road through 2010! Visit their Myspace page for dates.

2009 in Auto Tune!

Every Avenue!

During an interview, Every Avenue was asked a question that would normally be difficult to answer: “How would you describe your sound?” For singer Dave Strauchman the answer was simple: “We sound like Every Avenue.” His response could not be more true.

Every Avenue blends a style that is innovative and reminiscent of a time in rock and roll when the name of the game was simply to have fun. This Michigan based quintet has been climbing the industry ladder since 2003 and, with a new record, and a jam-packed touring schedule, the sky is the limit.

The new album, Picture Perfect, does its title justice! The pop friendly sound of “Tell Me I’m A Wreck” is bound to be a top 40 hit, alongside Boys Like Girls and Cobra Starship.

The album is out now, from Fearless Records, and be sure to check the guys out on the road! Visit the band’s myspace page for dates!

A Rocket To The Moon Interview!

AMP’d sat down for an exclusive chat with Nick Santino, lead singer of A Rocket to the Moon. Rounding out the last leg of their biggest tour to date, Nick talked about what life on the road of the Op Presents Tour is really like.

Nick, Andrew, Justin and Eric are serving as an opening act on The Op Presents Tour with Boys Like Girls and Cobra Starship supporting their just released album On Your Side, which features the single, “Mr. Right.”

NICK: So far, the shows have been awesome! The kids who come out get crazy!

AMP’D: So which audience got the craziest?

NICK: I would have to say our second show, in Columbus Ohio. They were incredible. We had an audience of over 4,000 that night.

AMP’D: With all the downtime on the road, what does a young, well-known rock star do in his free time?

NICK: I’m usually sleeping or using my laptop in the van. We have these 12 to 15 hour drives between stops, so it’s a good time to keep in touch with fans and my parents.

AMP’D: Speaking of parents, are yours supportive of your career choice?

NICK: Totally! My dad was the first person to buy the new record. He went up to the register, and started bragging, saying “that’s my son!”

While his parents may be far away, there’s plenty of guidance and positive influences on the tour. With more established bands Boys Like Girls and Cobra Starship sharing the stage with him, Nick has managed to get great advice from the bands.

AMP’D: What’s something you’ve admired and learned from the other acts on this tour?

NICK: Boys Like Girls have the most incredible stage presence! I admire the lighting and performance aspect of their set. I would love to be able to have effects like that down the road.

AMP’D: So where does ARTTM see themselves in 5 years?

NICK: We just want to be playing music, and selling out large venues. I’d like to be on our 4th album by then, at least!

Catch Nick and A Rocket to the Moon on the Op Presents Tour with Boys Like Girls, Cobra Starship, The Maine and VersaEmerge through the end of November!

Follow Nick on twitter @NickSantino

Follow ARTTM on twitter @we_are_arttm

Lady Gaga does Ellen

Lady Gaga tore up the studio of The Ellen Degeneres show recently, performing her new single "Bad Romance," Check it out!

When a movie star sings....

Many movie stars have tried to cross over to music from film, and typically, it's met with harsh criticism and laughs. Just ask Eddie Murphy, Bruce Willis or Burt Reynolds. But Once in a blue moon, something works.

Break Up is a collaborative album between Pete Yorn and film star Scarlett Johansson. The album has been out a while, but it's the single, "Relator" that has garnered the most attention!

Johansson has received raved reviews for her unique and raspy singing voice. Check out "Relator" here on AMP'd!!

Martin's shirt can be yours!!

We've got Martin's Op shirt from The Op Presents Tour! This shirt is autographed and was worn by Martin at the New York, LA and Orlando shows. We will be holding a sweepstakes for the shirt! stay tuned for details!

Op Presents Tour takes over New York!

Last night, The Op Presents Tour rolled through NYC in style! Leighton Meester surprised The Nokia Theater by joining Cobra Starship on stage for their smash single, "Good Girls Go Bad."

Thanks to the anonymous YouTube poster, for getting this up so quick! Check out the performance below!

Hey Monday!

Hey Monday is on the brink of exploding into the next Cobra Starship or Paramore, so we would like to think we're early on the Hey Monday bandwagon, although 100,000 or so Twitter users will blatantly disagree with us.

They've only released a debut album in 2008, Hold on Tight, and the band is currently on tour in support of that album.

Check out their second single off the album, "How You Love Me Now" here on AMP'd!!

Shinedown!

Even though the album has been out for over a year, the 4th single off Shinedown's most recent album The Sound of Madness, has been garnering a lot of attention!

"If You Only Knew" shows the subdue side of the typically harder sounding band, and it's working for them! Currently, the song sits on the Itunes Hott 100 Rock tracks at #4

Check out the song here!

Empire State of Mind - Part II

Check out Alicia Key's re-vamped version of her current smash hit "Empire State of Mind!!"

John Mayer + Taylor Swift

This past Tuesday, John Mayer released his newest studio album, Battle Studies. What many will find as a surprise is a collaboration between Mayer and country super-star Taylor Swift. We love the song! Take a listen to Half Of My Heart by clicking here!

Op Presents Tour Ticket Giveaway!

We're giving away tickets to the remaining shows on The Op Presents Tour...click here for more info!

Auto-Tune overdrive??

Seems like every song these days features Auto-tune. Not sure what that is? Well, watch this video and you'll quickly understand.

Foo Fighters!

"Wheels" is the single from the Foo Fighters new compilation album, Greatest Hits. The single has the vibe of a song by The Fray, which is somewhat of a softer turn for the traditionally harder rockers. See for yourself......

Matt Hartke interview

Tomorrow we will be interviewing Matt Hartke from his NYC industry showcase! Leave questions in the comments and we'll ask Matt your questions!

Matt's Myspace

New Op Presents Webisode!!!

Anya Marina!

Anya Marina is breaking through to the mainstream with her soulful cover of Rihanna and T.I's "Whatever You Like", featured on CW's Gossip Girl (Season 3, episode 9), and having a song on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack can't hurt her mainstream credibility either!

Check out Anya Marina's take on "Whatever You Like" now!

Forever The Sickest Kids!

Under appreciated musical genre, powerpop, is in full blast on the debut album from Forever The Sickest Kids! (FTSK for short)

This Dallas based band, from Universal Records has been on the brink of commercial success for years, but are still searching for that breakthrough single, that puts them on the road with bands like Boys Like Girls and The All American Rejects.

Today (11/12/09) FTSK debuted music from their new EP, The Weekend, Part 1:Friday, on their MySpace Page

We love the energy and vibe these 6 guys deliver on each track! Check out their first ever single "Whoa Oh! (Me vs. Everyone)"

Hott Mess Video!

Op Presents band Cobra Starship just released their newest video Hott Mess! Thoughts?

Op Presents Tour hits Orlando!

The Ting Tings!

350 fans of The Ting Tings were invited to a special live performance by the band on Sept. 19th, and they definitely left their mark! All guests were given matching Adidas tracksuits and glow in the dark paint, which they were instructed to "go crazy with."

The result? The music video for their latest single, "Great DJ." Check it out!

Best Halloween costume ever!

Exclusive Op Presents Tour Photo's!

One Republic!

AMP'd is loving the harder sound of One Republic! the band is scheduled to release their new album, Waking Up, on November 17th, and it's getting rave reviews.

The first single, "All The Right Moves", is introducing the world to an edgier side of the band we haven't seen before. Check out the single here!

Op on YouTube

Check out the Op YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes footage from The Op Presents tour

www.youtube.com/opfashion

Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional will be releasing their new album, Alter The Ending, on November 10th. Check out the single off the album, "Belle of the Boulevard!"

Arcade Fire!

Movie trailers have always been a great place to scout music.

Spike Jonze remastered "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire for the Where the Wild Things Are trailer, and after hearing it once you'll have the chorus stuck in your head all day, but in a good way.

By the way, while were on it, "Where The Wild Things Are?" Great movie! Check out "Wake Up!"

Ask A Rocket to the Moon your question!

We are having an exclusive interview with A Rocket to the Moon and we want to ask them your questions!!! Submit a question in the 'comments' section, and we'll try and get the scoop from Nick and the guys especially for you!

Op Presents Tour streaming live now!

Streaming .TV shows by Ustream

DJ Hero

Video Game fanatics unite! Lets stand up and be proud that today is a huge day for us, yes, it's the release of DJ HERO!

With the support of Hip Hop king Jay-Z, the word is out that DJ Hero is set to take over the world, and based off the extremely positive reviews within the gaming industry, add its name to the legendary "Guitar Hero" franchise.

The soundtrack for the game covers everyone from 50 Cent to Gwen Stefani to Queen to The Jackson 5.

Check out this demo presentation from the 2009 E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo)!

NEW Fall Out Boy!

Check out the just released new single, "Alpha Dog" from Fall Out Boy, off their new greatest hits album releasing Nov 17th!

Rumor has it, their even putting a Michael Jackson cover on the album. I'm not giving you any hint which song, so 'beat it'.

It's been a while since we heard from these guys, but it's been well worth the wait!

Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester released a song with Robin Thicke, and the reviews are mixed....What do you all think out there? I'm kind of caught in the middle.......

Mika

Mika released his second studio album The Boy Who Knew Too Much back in June, and I can't believe it took us this long to hear it! It's pure fun Rock & Roll.

Check out the single "We Are Golden," right here on AMP'd!

Allison Iraheta

After coming in 4th place on American Idol, it's hard to believe this seasoned musician is only 17 years old.

Allison Iraheta is set to release her debut album on December 1st, titled Just Like You. Her single "Friday I'll Be Over You" was released to radio and is quickly climbing the charts.

Check it out! and Tell us what you think?!?

New Op Presents Tour Webisode!

The Maine cover Akon

We reached into the YouTube archives to pull out this classic cover from Op Presents band The Maine singing Akon's hottest single from 2007 "I Wanna Love You"

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Michael Franti has a laid back vibe that can't be ignored. His hit single, "Say Hey (I Love You)" is currently sitting at #18 on billboard 100.

Congratulations are in order, as Franti has definitely crossed over to the mainstream, and nothing is more mainstream than the Ellen Degeneres show right? Check out this LIVE performance of "Say Hey (I Love You)"

Michael Franti & Spearheads album All Rebel Rockers is available on Itunes now!

Tour hits the Press!

Pick up OK! magazine this week to see exclusive photos of the Boys Like Girls Op fitting in Nashville!

Matt Hartke

You may remember when we introduced you to Matt Hartke a few months back when he came to our office to sing a few tunes. Well, we thought we would follow you up with a little behind the scenes look at Hartke recording songs for his EP which is being released to ITunes on Oct 22nd.

We're also loving the Op sweatshirt Matt's rocking in the photo above! We're buying the EP!

Good luck Matt!

Welcome Cobra!

We're over a week into the Op Presents Tour, and so far, it's a wild success. I don't want to give to much away, but lets just say I got a feelin' that Boys Like Girls kick their set off with a cover nobody would expect to hear!

Milwaukee marked the first show for Cobra Starship on the tour, and they'll be riding with us the rest of the way. Welcome Guys!

We gave the guys and Vicky T some Op gear for the road... check it out!

Trevor Giuliani

Dovecote Records’ Trevor Giuliani is a folk musician, with a pop/rock flare.

This former New York singer-songwriter decided to assemble a full band to create his debut record before heading west to the music capital of the world.

Trevor’s debut album, Subcontrario is out now, and after hearing the first single, “Wasting Your Town,” a tune about boredom in the East Village of New York, we have to recommend this to the Op community.

BLG's Bryan and Paul w/ the Op Presents Tour bus!

The Op Presents Tour kicked off to rave reviews last night in Buffalo! Were you at the show? Send us your pics! They may just end up on AMP'd?!?

Op Presents Tour starts tonight!

Tim Williams!

On October 20th, Tim Williams will release his brand new album, Careful Love!

It's hard to find someone who has jumped more hurdle than this guy! According to Williams Myspace page, in May 2008, Williams underwent intensive open-heart surgery that left him bedridden in recovery throughout most of the Fall. Once out of the hospital, Williams immediately began writing/rehearsing new material.

The single, "I Hit Another Wall" is catchy and mellow. We're fans! Check out the video below....

Tim Williams - I Hit Another Wall OFFICIAL VIDEO from Dovecote Records on Vimeo.

A Rocket to the Moon CD out today!

Go and get On Your Side ...... it' s out today! After that, come see the boys on the Op Presents Tour!

BLG exclusive photos

Check out these exclusive behind the scenes photos of Boys Like Girls at their Op fitting for the Op presents tour!