Hey friends. So, as a booking agent/independent band promoter, its my job to seek out new up and coming bands. I thought I'd take a moment to share some of them with you. If you get a chance, please check them out and let me know what you think! THANKS!

1.) LUDO - St. Louis, MO
Ludo signed with Island Records back in October 2006. They released their first national release CD "You're Awful, I Love You" on February 26th, 2008. Since then they've started to blow up all over MTV, MTV2, the radio, they'll be hosting LoveLine next week, and they were recently on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

www.myspace.com/ludorock

2. Ha Ha Tonka - Springfield, MO
They describe themselves as "foot stompin' indie rock." It's a different sound, similar to a piano-driven R.E.M., or an Ozarkian Modest Mouse...
www.myspace.com/hahatonka

3. Treaty of Paris - Chicago, IL
These guys are touring all over the place! They are very similar to Fall Out Boy, and all of those style of bands.
www.myspace.com/treatyofparis

4. The Effects - Tulsa, OK
I mentioned them in an earlier post about Midwest Kings. These dudes were recently featured in SPIN Magazine in April 2008. They are most definitely a cross between Led Zepplin and the Beatles, with a HUGE Kings of Leon influence. I think they rock!
www.myspace.com/theeffects

5. John Henry & The Engine - Columbia/STL, MO
JH&TE is very different from most of the other above mentioned bands. Yet, they've played shows with all of the above mentioned bands, and to crowds with the same musical taste. They recently released their new album called "Under The Yellow Moon."
www.myspace.com/johnhenryandtheengine

Seriously, check all of these out. And, let me know what you think. I'll have more for you soon!!

I LOVE Ludo!!! I will have to look into the others a little bit.. The Effects sound like a band I would love!

The Effects are absolutely amazing. I've known them for about 4 years now, and their sound has improved 110%. I hope you like them as well.

for the record, I've seen/met/hung out with/got stupid with everyone except John Henry and the Engine. Do I know you?

Oh, and Ha Ha Tonka includes members formerly of Amsterband, which JPL fans are familiar wth.

Ha Ha Tonka is the exact same band as Amsterband, just with a different name. Same band members, and everything. They changed it back in May 2007 because the name works better for their band and their sound. Ha Ha Tonka is the name of a state park in Lake of the Ozarks, MO...and the Ozarks and the "foot stompin' indie rock" sound is exactly what they are going for. Amsterband, sounds more like a hippie jam-rock band, which they are not.