It seems lots of people are asking about the value in purchasing songs from Zune MarketPlace that one hears over the FM radio transmitter that Zune players come with. Apple users are asking why they would download songs from FM radio but its because most of them do not have FM radio access on their portable music players.

Itunes is a powerful music store and they offer lots of free content in the way of podcasts in their directory but they do not offer access to FM stations like Zune does. I agree that purchasing songs over FM is probably not going to be a huge feature for Zune users but it does show Zune commitment to securing as much new content as possible for Zune owners.

Many people still listen to the radio and having the ability to grab a new song you hear over the FM radio on your Zune is a nice feature for those of us looking for new music from old sources.

New Zune feature: Download songs you hear on FM radio | Technology | Los Angeles Times

Among the new features, Zune will enable its users to download music wirelessly and to buy songs they hear on the built-in FM radio. A new crop of Zunes will come in 16 gigabytes and 120 gigabytes and in new colors — blue on silver and all black. And Zune will start offering recommendations based on the music users listen to.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Third generation Zune pictures leak: 120GB and 16GB flavors — Electronics NEWS - about-electronics.eu

The third generation of Microsoft’s Zune portable media player product line has been talked about and speculated for quite a while now, but very little has managed to leak out of Redmond, until now.

A Canadian has supposedly somehow gotten his hands on both 16GB and 120GB flavors of the Zune, both of which are expected to be released under Zune 3.0 (recall that the original Zune 30GB is considered first generation and that the Zune 4, Zune 8, and Zune 80 are considered second generation).

Popularity: 38% [?]

Real Networks and MTV have partnered up to release a new mp3 store under the Rhapsody label. The online music store will feature the latest music releases from the 4 major labels in DRM free format available for download at 99 cents for a single song and $9.99 for an entire album.

I think another DRM free music store will be good for the industry. It will force iTunes and Zune to push more DRM free content in their own stores if this new store takes off. You have to wonder how well another mp3 store will do and what they might offer different from others

Rhapsody launches digital download store to compete with iTunes | Technology | Los Angeles Times

Rhapsody America, the Web’s top subscription-based music service, opened a digital download store today, becoming the latest company to challenge the dominance of Apple’s iTunes.

Like other recent challengers — and unlike iTunes — the Rhapsody MP3 store will feature songs that aren’t constrained by anti-copying measures. The four major record labels will provide Rhapsody such songs, which work on any digital music player and can be copied an unlimited number of times. Apple has such music from only one major label.

The store from Rhapsody America, a joint venture of RealNetworks and Viacom’s MTV Networks, offers another indication that the music industry, in its struggle with Apple over the pricing of music, is cultivating a new breed of Apple competitor.

Rhapsody is charging 99 cents for a single and $9.99 for an album, the same pricing as on iTunes.

Popularity: 56% [?]

Here is a selection of mp3 downloads available from Amazon featuring Damian Marley. He has become one of my favorite musicians. I really like almost all of his work and I think he’s a very talented person. I had the pleasure of meeting him and brother Stephen backstage at the Smile Jamaica / Africa Unite show in Oracabessa Jamaica recently and it was an awesome experience. The whole show was cool and I met many others including K’naan and Swiss Chris.

I submitted this photo as seen above to his Wikipedia page from the same concert. The show was amazing and I really enjoyed myself. I got some better shots but made an ass of myself in the process of taking them. It’s a long story but I got me a handshake and short conversation with Ziggy and Stephen and was able to express my appreciation for the work they have done in following their footsteps. I fell in love with Bob Marley and his music the first time I heard it and about 15 years later I’m in Jamaica listening to his sons carry on the family legacy.

Damian is the favored brother amongst most Jamaican youth. His music is harder and more ghetto than any of the other brothers and he is no doubt the King of Kingston. Just about everywhere on the island that I have been I can hear his music or some mix of it blaring out of some giant speakers. The Marley legacy lives on in his children and Damian took more of his fathers more militant side. His music sounds more inspired by Peter Tosh than Bob Marley.

You can check out more about Damian Marley at his page at the zune social.

Popularity: 32% [?]

The Bittercups

MP3: The Bittercups — One Side

In a hypothetical, fantasy football league of South Florida bands, the Bittercups would be a star pick: two parts Billy Boloby and two parts Heatseekers.

Singer-keyboardist Boloby, guitarist Herman von Uberstein, bassist Terra Marie and drummer Chuck Loose are scene veterans, and bring their experience and attitude to their latest incarnation.

The Bittercups juggle careers, freelance writing, startup businesses and other bands to play punk-inspired tunes with pop keyboards.

Influenced by the Buzzcocks, the Vapors and the Clash, the band shows off their high-energy rock whenever they get a chance, picking and choosing the shows they want to play.

Careers and obligations make it difficult for the band to pick up and hit the road whenever they please, which attracts the interest of record labels. But they have recorded an eight-song album and are hoping to get it released soon.

Find them at myspace.com/thebittercups.

–Liza Hearon

Popularity: 46% [?]

I Am Stereo

MP3: I Am Stereo — Chewin’ on a Battery

All the members of I Am Stereo have done their time toiling in local bands — but now they are the ones throwing the rock ‘n’ roll parties.

Drummer Steve Copeletti, guitarist/vocalist Adam Rosenberg, guitarist/synth Jon Wilkins and bassist Brian Hill are all South Florida pros. Copeletti and Wilkins are aka DJ Sloan and DJ Grand Theft Auto in their spare time, spinning at indie rock parties like PopScene at Dada. They have all known each other for a while, but just six months ago came together to form I Am Stereo.

Their sound is ’60s psychedelic mixed with today’s indie pop.

“Like Velvet Underground and Syd Barrett meets the New Pornographers,” Copeletti said.

I Am Stereo is focusing on recording right now, with one EP in the works.

“We’re playing mostly at shows that we put on, to keep up our chops. Hopefully we’ll have two EPs out before the end of the year,” Copeletti said.

Find them at myspace.com/wearestereo or iamstereo.com.

– Liza Hearon

Popularity: 50% [?]

Sayonara Tokyo

For Sayonara Tokyo, good things come in fours: four band members, four retro hip blazers and four songs racking up hits on MySpace.

The band is relatively new to the local scene. Self-described as “country punk dancehall rock,” their songs channel the indie rock stylings of the Strokes, with moments of Fugazi-like chaos. Their song Indian Companion brings in the lonely-cowboy “country” aspect of their accurately dubbed genre description.

The well-dressed, Miami-based quartet of vocalist JD (no last name — Madonna style), guitarist Danny Aranow, drummer Nicholas Ellis and bassist Jon Benson has released an EP and is focused on booking shows and getting the good word out.

Find them at myspace.com/sayonaratokyo or thevolumeonline.com/sayonaratokyo.

–Liza Hearon

Popularity: 49% [?]

The Deffects

Grunge is alive and well in South Florida, thanks to newcomers the Deffects.

Vocalist and guitarist Ralph Aboy, guitarist Kevin Gonzolez, bassist Mike Casaña and drummer Steven Caw have been jamming for four months. The guys manage to practice several times a week, even though they are still in high school.

Influenced by the Meat Puppets, Nirvana and the Test Icicles, the Deffects are reviving grunge and adding their own punk rock twist to it.

Their last show brought in 75 people, through heavy promotion on MySpace, and the band’s “street team.”

“It’s really just one guy named Dan who hands out fliers — Street Team Dan,” Kevin said.

The Deffects are trying to play as many clubs as possible and get their name out.

“We’d like to record a demo if we ever get the money,” Kevin said.

Find them at myspace.com/thedeffects.

– Liza Hearon

Popularity: 49% [?]

Friendly Fire

MP3: Friendly Fire — Liar Liar

Friendly Fire is bringing rock ‘n’ roll back to its roots: sex and booze … plus the mod addition of podcasts.

The glam-tastic trio of singer/bassist Kristal Van Hart, drummer Dave-O Brian and guitarist Stunner, take their larger-than-life personalities both on stage and online.

Their music is raw, all-out rock ‘n’ roll, Cheap Trick with a punk edge and a fetish for dressing up. They also don’t shy away from politics, sporting the American flag and lyrics about Big Brother, drugs and social “insecurity.”

With a debut CD, Left Right Uppercut, and an exhaustive South Florida touring schedule in the next few months, it’s a wonder that Friendly Fire finds the time to create a jam-packed Web site.

But there are radio shows, packed with talent from local bands around the world, also available in podcasts. Van Hart answers fan’s love life dilemmas, and the rest of the site is well-stocked with downloads, photos and lyrics.

Find them at myspace.com/friendlyfiremusic or friendlyfirenetwork.com.

–Liza Hearon

Popularity: 36% [?]

Karmakaze

Punk rock only takes three chords and a lot of attitude.

However, technical metal requires all of that in-your-face attitude, plus full knowledge of pentatonic and Dorian, major and minor, scales and arpeggios — all played really fast.

The guys of Karmakaze are up to the task, dishing out technical, avant-garde metal that is more than just head banging.

Guitarist Rick Horton, bassist Ryan Melanson and drummer Luis Rodriguez blend fast, high-pitched solos with laid-back, jazzy backgrounds, still retaining their toughness.

The new trio has already won most technical band and most inspirational band awards at Murphy’s Law at Seminole Hard Rock.

Find them at myspace.com/karmakazemusic.

–Liza Hearon

Popularity: 32% [?]

Baby Calendar

MP3: Baby Calendar — Within Cell Walls

Forget the beat-up van full of beat-up old amps. This summer, Miami natives Baby Calendar will pack up a Honda Element and hit the road, hauling their quirky, jangling indie pop everywhere from Houston to Kalamazoo.

Singer-keyboardist Jackie Biver, singer-guitarist Tom Gorrio and drummer Arik Dayan have only been together for about a year and a half, but already they have two albums out and one more coming out in May.

Your Move is an acoustic EP from Biver and Gorrio, then Dayan joined in on drums on full-length Fifteen Year Old Sneakers.

Gingerbread Dog will be released by Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records. Its 11 tracks are full of clever, catchy indie pop that fits right in with the Athens, Ga.-based label.

Relentless touring and a DIY aesthetic (the band has booked the entire summerlong national tour themselves) have made Baby Calendar local heroes, who are now poised to take on the national scene.

Find them at myspace.com/babycalendar or babycalendarmusic.com.

–Liza Hearon

Popularity: 32% [?]

Hep Cat Boo Daddies

MP3: Hep Cat Boo Daddies — 6 Feet

The Hep Cat Boo Daddies singer and guitarist Joel DaSilva may channel Elvis Presley’s coif and Johnny Cash’s stage presence, but the Boo Dads, as fans call them, are not a one-off revival act, looking to the past.

The Boo Dads crash together rockabilly, surf, Chicago blues and punk rock to produce their wild, awe-inducing sound — and they have been doing it for more than 10 years. They have opened for Jimmie Vaughan, the Reverend Horton Heat, B.B. King and other international superstars.

Their first album, Long Time Comin’ came out in 2002, and the Boo Dads are in the process of releasing another. Their DVD, Invasion of the Hep Cat Boo Daddies, also recently came out.

DaSilva, along with bassist Sean “Evil” Gerovitz and drummer Randy Blitz, came together post-Underbellys, a South Florida psychobilly band. After winning awards and accolades from the South Florida community, they have their sights set on winning over the international audience.

Find them at myspace.com/hepcatboodaddies or hepcatboodaddies.net.

–Liza Hearon

Popularity: 26% [?]

Dead Hookers’ Bridge Club

The three University of Miami music students who make up the Dead Hookers’ Bridge Club definitely know how to rock.

With old-school rock influences like Chuck Berry, and loud, fast and crazy influences like Turbonegro, Motorhead and Nashville Pussy, the trio embraces rock ‘n’ roll’s dirty, debaucherous roots.

“Expect good ol’ rock and roll, as loudly and drunkenly as we are capable,” drummer Dr. Johnny Thunder said.

Thunder, aka Patrick Hart, bassist Jack Switchblade (Devin Smith) and guitarist/vocalist Ace Roller (Richard Haig) already have one album released on South Florida label Atomisk records, Fast Cars, Stiff Drinks, Loose Women.

A new 7-inch called The Hoo Dee Hoo is slated for release on New Art School Records in the next few weeks, and surely more destruction and mayhem will follow them on a national tour this summer.

Find them at myspace.com/thedeadhookersbridgeclub or deadhookersbridgeclub.com.

–Liza Hearon

Popularity: 24% [?]

Set Fire to Failure

Clothing sponsors, slick Web sites, legions of adoring fans and other trappings of success usually take years to come to bands.

Set Fire to Failure hasn’t even graduated from high school yet, and they’ve scored it all in only eight months.

Guitarists Zack Schwartz, 16, and Antonio Siquiera, 17, bassist JP Casanova, 16, and drummer Andres Ortiz, 15, all share vocal duties, along with a seemingly endless supply of energy.

Their music is most closely associated with screamo, heavy hard-core guitars and screaming, angry vocals alternated with more pop-punk influences, like blink 182 or NOFX. Some of their favorite bands include ska band Big D and the Kids Table, Alexisonfire, Every Time I Die and punk rockers Green Day and Anti-Flag.

In Retrospect clothing, a friend of the band, sponsors them. In exchange for sporting the logo at shows, the company is helping the band set up a tour.

Set Fire to Failure has had thousands of plays of its songs on MySpace. The demo includes Livejournal Ruined Me and Rhetoric Won’t Save.

Find the band at myspace.com/setfiretofailure.

– Liza Hearon

Popularity: 23% [?]

Vesper Fairchild Broadcast

MP3: Vesper Fairchild Broadcast — The Mile Hypoxia Club

Vesper Fairchild Broadcast’s dream is to tour the country and play to adoring fans. Only six months after starting the band, they’re making it happen.

Singer Joe Della Rosa, 21; guitarist Corey Alexander, 19; drummer Ryan Kosobucki, 23; and bassist John Biddick, 19, are preparing to embark on a national tour.

After sharing a long-time love of hardcore and metal music, the four decided to try to make the music themselves.

They are enrolled in college, but Alexander admits, “We’re touring a lot. I don’t know how long that will last.”

For the VFB, the highlight of this tour will be playing with hardcore legends The Dillinger Escape Plan at the New Jersey Metalfest in June.

Their first album, May We Have This Dance, showcases their chaotic heavy-metal riffs, with Della Rosa’s unique, high-pitched screaming and singing over it. The band wasted no time in signing with Boston’s Hybrid Records to release the album April 21.

See the Vesper Fairchild Broadcast with Quantice Never Crashed and Emmure at 8 tonight at Pembroke Pines’ Talent Farm, Suite 111, 20911 Johnson St. The show is free if you buy the CD for $10, or else $8 cover. Call 954-438-4388. The group also is scheduled to perform with Strangled to Tears and My Fair Verona on April 29 at Boca Raton’s Hideout, 7200 N. Dixie Highway. Call 561-994-9494.

Find them at myspace.com/thevfb or thevfb.com.

– Liza Hearon

Popularity: 26% [?]

Tin Soldier Empire

MP3: Tin Soldier Empire — Nintendo Generation

Years of playing way too much Nintendo and listening to heavy metal have warped the minds of Tin Soldier Empire, and they revel in their weirdness.

The Boca Raton band embraces the offensive, loud and twisted elements of some of their favorite bands like GWAR, Primus, Marilyn Manson and Insane Clown Posse.

Next, singer Jay Gambit, bassist RayC and drum machine player MariaMaria toss old-school Nintendo beats into the mix, along with gratuitous obscenity, all wrapped up in an out-of-control live show.

They have been playing shows together since October, and have recorded a 22-track demo called Nintendo Generation. A full-length album is in the works, and the band is hitting the road this summer to take their twisted minds to the rest of the nation.

Tin Soldier Empire heavily relies on MySpace to promote, along with their Web site. They make “bootlegs” of their live shows available for their mostly young fans around the country to check out.

See them, along with A Kiss to Betray and others, at 7 p.m. Saturday at Solid Sound Studios, 4616 N. Powerline Road, Pompano Beach. Cover is $10, and the show is a fund-raiser for the upcoming tour. Call 954-974-1466.

Find them at www.myspace.com/tinsoldierempire.

–Liza Hearon

Popularity: 23% [?]

Protagonist

MP3: Protagonist — Reasoning With Time

“We’ve always been too hardcore for the punk kids and too punk for the hardcore kids,” said Peter Marullo, vocalist for the Boca Raton band Protagonist.

The band, which includes Peter’s brother, guitarist John Marullo, guitarist Brian Forst and drummer John Westbay, has been together in various forms since 1999.

Peter Marullo said that the band blends the best elements of melodic hardcore with punk rock, influenced by bands like 7 Seconds, Minor Threat, Bad Religion and Black Flag.

Besides supporting up-and-coming bands in the local scene, the twentysomethings of Protagonist are seasoned tour veterans, having made several trips up and down the East Coast and venturing out West. They have large fan bases in Philadelphia and Texas.

Protagonist plans to release an EP this summer under its own label, Stake Out Records, and embark on yet another East Coast tour.

See the band with Go It Alone, Barriers Now Bridges and Hands Down at 7 p.m. Thursday at Sonny’s Stardust Lounge, 5181 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale. Cover is $8. Call 954-776-6082.

Find them at myspace.com/protagonist.

Popularity: 22% [?]

The Van Orsdels

MP3: The Van Orsdels — Little Zombie Girl

Zombies. Broads. Hot Rods.

The Van Orsdels celebrate the finer things in life with their own crazy take on psychobilly. Changing their last names to “Van Orsdel,” Ramones-style, the band has created their own personas and a world of slick, shiny hair, swamp creatures carrying off beauties and fast, furious music.

South Florida scene veterans George Van Orsdel (vocals), Bruno Van Orsdel (upright bass), Tomas Van Orsdel (guitars) and Rich Van Orsdel (drums) are also horror movie fans. Their music is influenced by surf and punk, along with bands like Social Distortion, the creepiness of the Misfits, and the punk rock of the Cramps.

The band has an EP and a full-length, Miami Morgue Riot, under their studded belts. This summer they are playing shows all over Florida, and then taking on a West Coast tour.

Find them at myspace.com/thevanorsdels or thevanorsdels.com.

– Liza Hearon

Popularity: 21% [?]

The Spoon Benders

MP3: The Spoon Benders — You’re Tricky

The Spoon Benders have been rocking for four years, playing exhaustively at any and every venue possible in South Florida, also taking their rootsy rock on tour throughout the South.

Matt Winfree (guitars and vocals), Yves Giraud (bass and vocals) and Brian Bennett (drums) are influenced by classic rock like Jimi Hendrix and the Police, and singer/songwriters like Jeff Buckley. However, their tunes are prone to extended, impromptu jam sessions, exploring the blues and funk styles that they also love.

They’ve shared the stage with high-profile acts, including Sum 41, Pat Benatar and Foreigner. With one album out in 2005 and Live at Alligator Alley, capturing a show at the Oakland Park bar, due out soon, the Spoon Benders are certainly one of the hardest working acts around.

Find them at myspace.com/spoonbenders or cdbaby.com/spoonbenders.

– Liza Hearon

Popularity: 21% [?]

Nothing Rhymes With Orange

MP3: Nothing Rhymes With Orange — Kill The Vibe

If Miami had a signature musical sound, Nothing Rhymes With Orange would not be it.

Instead, the band, founded by brothers Carl “Almasy” and Rich Coccaro, belongs in the United Kingdom, or at least somewhere where Anglophile bands are more common.

Along with bassist Travis Rosen and drummer Zack Eldridge, NRWO specializes in Cure-inspired alternative rock, with the mass appeal song-writing style of Coldplay and Oasis.

They have straddled the edge of mainstream and cutting edge, sharing the stage with international superstars matchbox twenty and John Mayer, while also playing with indie rock groups the Raveonettes and Louis XIV.

Their most recent album, Hello Mysterious, led the group to fulfill their Anglophile desires by touring in the UK, with airplay at UK college radio stations. NRWO plans to attack U.S. college radio stations this summer.

Find them at myspace.com/nrwo or nrwo.net.

– Liza Hearon

Popularity: 20% [?]