The Blizzards ( Mullingar, Ireland)

The Blizzards' indepedently-released debut single "First Girl to Leave Town" went to No. 11 in the Irish Charts in 2005. In July of that year, the band performed at the Oxegen festival. The following year the band signed a recording contract with Universal Music , Ireland with the band's second single "Trouble" reaching No. 6 in the Irish Single Charts in spring 2006. The single stayed in the Top 40 for four weeks. Follow-up singles "Miss Fantasia Preaches" and "War of Words" were released in August and October 2006 respectively. The Blizzards returned to Oxegen in July 2006, moving up the billing to perform on the NME scene.

The band's debut album, A Public Display of Affection, was released in November 2006 and debuted at no. 4 in the Irish Album Charts. Although critical responses to the album were generally positive, the album remained in the Top 50 for only three weeks. However, the band's growing popularity saw the album re-enter the charts early in 2007. A Public Display of Affection reached No. 21 in the Irish Albums Chart and remained in the Top 50 for eighteen weeks from January to June 2007. Two further singles, "Fantasy" and "On the Right Track" were released in 2007 before a Main Stage appearance on the Sunday Of Oxegen.

In late June 2008, the band confirmed via their official website that work on their second album had been completed. Produced once again by Michael Beinhorn, The Domino Effect was released on the 12th September, with a single entitled "Trust Me I'm A Doctor" released in July. The single, alongside other new and old material as well as a cover of Sam Sparrow's " Black And Gold", was performed during their July 13 hour-long set on the Main Stage of Oxegen 2008.

The Blizzards released their second album, The Domino Effect on 15 September 2008 to mostly postive reviews stating the album "does a concrete job in guiding the sextet through their new-found maturity". The album peaked at #2 on the Irish Album Charts, losing out to Metallica's Death Magnetic. The lead single from the album, " Trust Me , I'm A Doctor"" was released on 29 August 2008 and debuted at #2, again just being beaten to the top spot, this time by the Katy Perry single " IO Kissed A Girl". "Trust Me, I'm a Doctor" remained in the Top Ten for 4 weeks before dropping down to #13 on 10 October. The second single from the band's sophomore album will be "The Reason".

Music Style: Pop/Ska/Punk/Rock/Alternative

Myspace Link : http://www.myspace.com/theblizzards

Birds Of Tokyo ( Perth, Western , Australia )

Birds of Tokyo formed from a collaboration between members of other well known Perth acts including Karnivool and Tragic Delicate. Birds of Tokyo's music marries soaring vocal melodies with catchy rock based guitar hooks and a driving rhythm section, the live show is filled with an energy as raw and exposing as it is energetic, emotive and fun.

Birds of Tokyo were formed in 2004 and despite the relatively short life time of the band they have already established themselves as one of Perth's premier rock bands, regularly playing their own headlining shows at packed venues such as Amplifier, Rosemount Hotel, Metros Fremantle and Capitol.

The band have toured nationally several times and been featured in media including Xpress, Zebra Hype, Adrenaline Zine, Beat Magazine and Base TV. 2006 saw the band touring regional WA on a three week tour in January, before returning to Melbourne to finish working on their debut album, Day One . The album was released on 3 February 2007 and debuted at #88 on the ARIA album charts and #3 on the AIR album charts. Following the release the band embarked on their 'Day One' tour in February 2007 played in five capital cities around Australia.

At the 2007 Wami Awards Birds of Tokyo won two WAMingtons for 'Favourite Newcomer' and 'Best Male Vocalist' (Ian Kenny).

In April 2007 the band played at Blackjack 2007 (relocated "Rock - It" festival) and then undertook another national tour in support of their debut album.

Birds of Tokyo were nominated for two awards in the 2007 AIR Awards (Australian Independent Record Association) for 'Best Performing Independent Album' and 'Most Outstanding New Independent Artist'.

The band recorded their second album Universes in Australia, which was mixed in Los Angeles, California. The debut single from the album, "Silhouettic", was released as a free download on 14 April 2008. The album was released 5 July 2008 and debuted at No. 3 on the ARIA album charts and at No. 1 on the AIR album charts.

Music Style : Alternative / Rock

Myspace Link : http://www.myspace.com/birdsoftokyo