Featured Bands

We're going to have 12 bands playing at MAGFest this year, with four bands on friday, saturday, and sunday nights. How cool is that!? Our twelve bands are listed below, and we'll be posting the specific band schedule closer to MAGFest.

	The OneUps Eight years have passed since The OneUps' debut performance at the very first MAGFest. Their long-awaited return brings joy to the gamer's ear as the band shares its Funk/Fusion treatments of video game music with the fine patrons of MAGFest once again. Prepare thyself for audio victory as The OneUps slay any preconceived notion that game music isn't cool.
	Metroid Metal Metroid Metal is a collection of high-energy arrangements from the Metroid series. Originally started by Stemage in 2003, MM has grown into a full live experience with members from Yes Mayhem, Temp Sound Solutions, and Arm Cannon. After the success of last year's MAG 7 show, Metroid Metal Live went on to play PAX 2009, and release the new album, "Varia Suite". They’ll be mauling the stage once again at MAG 8.
	Armcannon An internationally renowned 5 piece band from Buffalo NY, these guys have definitely made their mark remixing video game classics. They skillfully reincarnate classic melodies of yore into a progressive-metal triumph of nostalgia. An Armcannon show will reawaken your inner child with the unmatchable power of rock. They've been wowing MAGFest attendees since our 5th year in 2007, and are glad to return this year. They also just released their second CD, so now you can purchase (and enjoy) Armcannon 2: The Return of the Attack of the Legend of Pizzor.
	Select Start Select Start is like a delicious cookie--only the cookie is made of people and music, and you can't eat it. The band originated in Gainesville, FL but has become something of a national unit since their last performance at MAGfest in 2008. When functioning properly, this little micro-orchestra utilizes their various sizes of stringy paddles, tootley-pipes, and the occasional tappy board to create the mythical "H" note (you'll probably hear it) as they continue their adventures in the key of Dave--all just for you. Attend with caution: previous shows have included spontaneous laser shooting, colors draining from the world due to high notes, and Austin growing hair.
	The Megas Since the year 200X (4), The Megas have strived to bring a message from Dr. Light to the people. They have chosen to transmit that message, the tale of a small blue robot named Megaman, directly into the eardrums of the general populace through the power of rock. Composed of four mere humans with no known robot powers, The Megas previously used their face melting abilities in other rock projects including the popular punk act Agent 51, who signed with Billie Joe Armstrong’s Adeline Records and enjoyed some tour success before disbanding. However, it was not until they rallied behind Megaman that they found a true purpose for their rock: the righteous cause of justice. Their debut album, Get Equipped, is inspired by the soundtrack to Mega Man 2. Their most recent release, Megatainment, is a collaboration with fellow video game rock act Entertainment System, and is a tribute to the first game in the Mega Man series. The band is currently hard at work on their next LP, based on (surprise surprise) Mega Man 3!
	A_Rival Hailing from California's Bay Area, A_Rival takes a cue from the cultural potpourri lifestyle native to San Francisco and applies it directly to his signature style of 8-bit infused chip-hop sound. This style blends not only Hip-Hop and Nintendo Entertainment System audio synthesis, but also mixes in high-energy electronic genres such as Electro-house and Drum & Bass. The lyrical content he provides in his tracks ranges from tumultuous, rapid-fire nerd rhyming to covers of well-known Hip-Hop icons such as Busta Rhymes and Onyx.
	Armadillo Tank (PIENESS) A heavy rockin' VG band made up of 5 soldiers of fortune that will blast your balls off! Lead by their infamous screamer, pIENESS, they show no mercy to false metal (and Ratigators) and blow sonic torpedoes through the eardrums of all who oppose them. Its like Mega Man and Shatterhand played through Deep Purple, Suicidal Tendencies and Judas Priest.
	Rare Candy Rare Candy, based in nearby Baltimore, have played MAGFest, Otakon and 64-bit Gen, as well as a handful of local venues. Crowd favorites include “Dark World” from Zelda 3, and “Undersea Palace” from Chrono Trigger. Band members include Chris Baines and John DeCampos (of Entertainment System fame), Dom Cerquetti (founder of JamSpace) and some guy named Matt Baros.
	The Smash Brothers The Smash Brothers banded together for the specific purpose of performing at MAGFest 2 and managed to pull it off despite having never performed together before. Ever. Since then, they've shaken up their setlist each year and arranged brand new material specifically for their performance at MAGFest. Last year, they even went so far as to serve bacon to the audience between songs in their set. Koz dude. Bacon. -Bacon-. What bizarre things could they have planned this year? Make sure to come and see!
	Temp Sound Solutions Returning for their 6th year, Temp Sound Solutions is a seminal video game music entity spanning works close to a decade and a half. with video game covers totalling close to the thousands and no end in sight, these four stalwart dudes venture on at magfest playing fresh cuts off their forthcoming inexplainable 9th album 'Now Youre Playing With Powar 9: Welcome To The Next Leval' on Plus/Concatenation/Good-Evil Records. Bring your gotcha gear and make sure you're crimps are fully prepped, because you're going to be in for the ride of your life.
	This Place Is Haunted Okay, I know what you're thinking. This Place is Haunted has yet another line-up change? But then again, you've ALWAYS had a problem thinking 4th dimensionally. TPIH is back for their 5th year at Magfest cannon-firing stillborns and donkey punching geriatrics. NYC based TPIH, Known for their obscure, silly and often under-rated game song selections, draws at 7am with Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen. That's right, we do our killin' before breakfast! With a new self titled CD, the boys are embarking on their first nationwide tour in Spring 2010. So, remember kids, this isn't a stick-up, it's a Science experiment and while you may not be ready for it, your kids are gonna love it.
	Entertainment System Since it's formation in 2004, 37 people have been members of Entertainment System. Some people, and 99% of witch doctors, say that the band is cursed; however, founding guitarists, John DeCampos and Chris Baines (and sycophantic bass player Tyler Merchant) find the idea ridiculous, as they believe that in order to be cursed you must have a soul. Entertainment System couldn't be happier to be playing Magfest for it's second year. Keep an ear open for their fifth studio album, "Rock n' Roll Cereal," coming Summer of 2010.