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Once again I hold the November spot and once again it goes to a band that means a great big jahonkin deal to me! Really, they need no introduction, but I’ll do it anyway. I bet you guys saw this comin’, eh? Drum roll, curtain up…ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for…The Maine

What most of you don't know is that The Maine was actually created in the center of the universe where all things wonderful collide. A comet made it's way past the unknown planet of Zorloff and through the Galaxy of Sorviet to the exact center of everything. It hit the strongest star and broke upon impact. It all fell towards Earth, only five pieces making it through the ozone. All --- Oh man, I suck at stories.

The Maine is a 'pop/punk' quintet from Tempe, Arizona. Forming in 2007 with drummer, Pat Kirch, bassist Garrett Nickelsen, lead vocalist John O'Callaghan, they would later add guitarist/back-up vocalist Kennedy Brock and lead guitarist Jared Monaco after two members left to complete the band. They were signed to Fearless Records later that year and in December would release their second EP, a follow-up to 'Stay Up, Get Down' entitled 'The Way We Talk.' In July of 2008 their debut full-length album, 'Can't Stop Won't Stop' was released and the first single from that album was 'Everyhing I Ask For," which they made a video for. They also made videos for 'Girls Do What They Want' and the most recent one, 'Into Your Arms.' In December they released '...And A Happy New Year EP.' Which included a cover of 'Last Christmas' by Wham! (I bring it up because it was an awesome choice!!) In July of 2009 they released a Deluxe edition of CSWS featuring all twelve original songs plus a cover of Def Leppards 'Pour Some Sugar On Me,' an acoustic version of 'Must Be Dreaming' and one of my personal favorite re-mixes 'The Way We Talk. (Back Ted N-Ted Remix).' Since forming the guys have been part of many tours and festivals, selling out shows is not uncommon for this band. They are currently on the Op/Love Drunk tour with Boys Like Girls, Cobra Starship, A Rocket To The Moon and VersaEmerge. I super can not wait to attend this show.

I had this really epic explanation as to why The Maine means so much to me but as I visited their Myspace, billions of Trojans attacked and killed my computer leaving me no choice but to wipe it clean. But like Sid (from Ice Age!), I am far too lazy to hold a grudge. To make a long story somewhat shorter... Over the past 18 months my family, friends and myself have been dealt more than our share of hardships. From a life altering brain injury (caused by violence) to a more than courageous battle against cancer that eventually took someone very special to me and my family to multiple unexpected deaths, surgeries and horrifying accidents. I had heard of The Maine but hadn't gotten around to listening to them until about August or early September of 2008. However, I was very much listening to their old stuff. I didn't even know about Can't Stop Won't Stop until around December of that year. Which looking back, is about the time I needed to find it most. Sounds lame, but it's full of truth.

Things were looking up...until they started falling faster than ever. My cousin was home from the hospital and he was able to walk out! Which was something we hoped, but never knew if he could do. We were celebrating that, but at the same time our hearts were breaking to learn that my uncle had been diagnosed with Esophagus cancer. I was still trying to accept the recent death of my Nanny and finding out that my best friend had to have surgery to remove several tumours that were growing rapidly. On top of all that, I dropped out of college for the second friggen time and was dealing with my own health problems. Everything sucked. I was back at my Mom's house for Christmas and Manda had mentioned the line up for the up coming Secret Valentine tour. I was beyond stoked but I needed to check out more of The Maine. So I did.

First time I ever heard 'We All Roll Along' I pretty much knew I would have to get a tattoo of some words. However, the song that has really done wonders for me is 'We'll All Be...' I was on my way to visit some friends earlier this year and I hadn't seen them in about two years so my anxieties about seeing them were through the roof. I was so scared of what they would think of me. I've told everyone what's been going on in my life, but rarely did they show any sign of caring. And that hurt. So knowing that music is pretty much the only thing that can calm me down, I put on my iPod. I'd heard We'll All Be several times before, but something about it playing at that exact moment hit me. I shouldn't care what these friends thought when in a matter of days I would be back in the city with the friends I know are happy to see me. I know they care because even if they aren't physically there, they're still there for me. It just really hit home because for the first time I had people who knew how hard it was for me growing up and not because they were there to watch, but because they experienced the same kind of torment. It hit home because we all have been degraded, and it is about time people start to see how f**king great we really are.

I ended up getting "We all have been degraded, We all will be the greatest" tattooed before anything from We All Roll Along. And I got if for my friends. The people that I love to see. As the year went on it was one thing after another and we might have cried, but we never gave up hope. My Uncle passed away over Thanksgiving weekend, on the first sunny day in two weeks. That's when We All roll Along came in handy. I had it on repeat and the chorus kept me from crying tears of sadness and instead I cried tears of relief. He was suffering for far too long and he deserved a sunny day.

I got to see The Maine for the first real time at Bamboozle and like you'll read in Caitys blurb, it was the first time I just didn't care. I let every worry I had about anything go and just had the most fun I'd ever had. Hell...I never ever jump at shows...Yeah I was standing on Caitys face. Legit, her face. Her and Manda could not wait to tell everyone because they'd never seen me open up like that in front of people (Agoraphobia does horrible things to a person.) I remember them both telling Natty that they were proud of me. And that made me happy.

So since I've gone on WAY too long. I'll leave you now with what the other girls think and a very high recommendation that if you haven't given these guys a chance, please do so. They changed my life. Maybe they'll do the same for you.

The Maine... first of here's the thing... being from Maine, I was confused as to why this band from Arizona had named their band after my boring little state (Also hey, if your band is named The Maine, you should come here on tour once in a while. I'm just gonna say that... you can take it however you want). I had only heard of The Maine, and I hadn't really given them a proper shot before Jen was like "Okay, look... do it." and I did. (She can be scary sometimes so... we do as told.) She explained to me that The Maine had gotten their name from a song "The Coast of Maine" by Ivory, which is a fan-freakin-tastic song, so I've decided to forgive this wonderful band of non-residents.

The first song from The Maine that I heard was "We All Roll Along" which was like a suckerpunch to the gut. It was amazing, hard-hitting, and incredibly appropriate for the time in my life that I was in. The song literally brought me to the ground when I listened to it, and I looped it for hours and had the best cry of my life. Once I connected with that song, I purchased "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" their 2008 album on iTunes and gave the entire thing a good listen. I fell in love with the band hardcore, and in talking to Jen who is so passionate about the band and what they stand for, I have grown to respect them enormously.

That being said, my best experience with The Maine is not actually with the band itself. They were present in the fact that they were on stage at Bamboozle playing their set, but my best memory involving this band was glancing over at Jen that day while the band played "Everything I Ask For" and for the first time since I've known her, seeing Jen completely let loose. Sure at one point she ended up literally standing on my face while going ballistic in the crowd, but it was so worth it to see her so happy. So sorry, The Maine, my best memory of you is Jen! I'm sure you understand.

I would like to start off this blurb by stating, just as most everyone else has, about the Maine's lack of... Mainers in the band. But I suppose "The Arizona" doesn't have quite the same ring.

Aaaanyway, I love these guys! I actually saw them before I knew who they were when they were on the Soundtrack to your Summer tour with Good Charlotte and Boys Like Girls. I liked them, but didn't really look further into them. Until Jen found them, that is. And with being played a song here and there fairly often, I came to enjoy their music more and more, no longer needing Jen to play songs for me. I would label them under Infection Pop-Punk, and everyone should know by now that that's right up my alley. Definite favourites are "Girls Do What They Want", and "We'll all Be..."

With lyrics that range from cute and endearing to words that touch something inside you, and move you (the 2 songs I mentioned being great examples of both, respectively), this young band definitely has a lot of potential.Keep your ears open, because you'll be hearing a lot from them through the years.

This year has just flown by so fast! Here we are now in November and bringing you another band of the month. I hope you all are excited for this one. I can still remember when Jen started talking about The Maine to me. I remember her first mention and I was intrigued because usually when Jen gets attached to a band it is a pretty amazing one at that. As I sit here writing about them, all I can think about is a certain lyric that has touched me to the core, because of what it means to me now: ”We all have been degraded, We all have been the greatest”. Now I am sure you might ask why that is important, but believe me when I say with our little tight knit group, it means the world. I am sure Jen can explain more as to what it means, and its powerful meaning behind it to her (and now to us). It was these lyrics that made me take notice to them that first time. I have to be honest, my friends toss a lot of band names my way and I hear a lot in passing, so sometimes it is hard to keep them all in my brain. This one however, is stuck with me , and I don’t think they are planning on leaving anytime soon.

Now, The Maine are five amazing guys from Arizona who have amazing talent. The first time I had a chance to see them live was when we make the trek to Bamboozle in Jersey earlier this year and I have to say that I was thoroughly fascinated by their live show and the crowd reaction. They bring forth some strong reactions from their fans and it is totally intoxicating to say the least. Now, you all know my love for Metal/Rock music (I mean I talk about it enough right?), but sometimes a band outside my listening range comes into focus and they get my full attention. The Maine is now a constant staple on my iPod and listening radar. They will be arriving in Toronto in a couple weeks and to be honest, I am excited to see what they bring to the stage this time. The second time I saw them, they had improved the stage show, so let’s see what they can bring to us this time.

And I strongly suggest to listen to We’ll All Be because lyrically and musically it is an amazing and uplifting song!

So, as Caity, I was confused as the why The Maine named themselves that considering the fact that they are from Arizona. And, I'm going to have to confess that I did not listen to them for that reason (yes, petty, I know) until this summer.

I was in Maine (ironic, huh?), when Caity called me up, and wanted to go for a ride. So, we hit the open road heading north, and Caity puts in a mixed CD with The Maine on it. We listen to "We All Roll Along" as we speed past Lincoln, and I was converted.

The Maine is a great band, which most reviewers would group into that really arbitrary category of "punk/hardcore pop" - the same category that Fall Out Boy, Boys Like Girls, and Panic at the Disco would be lumped in to. But, The Maine does not deserve that categorization. The Maine is different than those other bands, but I am not sure how to describe them for those of you who might not have listen to them before. They just make me feel happy. That and I put "We All Roll Along" on the mixed CD I made my bridesmaids. There is just an emotional connection with The Maine that I cannot put into words. That and Jen really, really likes them, so that's also a plus!

So, if you want a band that is kickin' and has melodies and lyrics that you will be singing over and over in your head, check out The Maine. They are really as awesome as everyone says!

Actually, I had heard of The Maine before Jen brought them up as November’s Band of the Month. A close friend had recommended them to me, but I just never got around to it, I guess. God, was I ever missing out! To the point, I love them. The Maine just has this certain sound that honestly does remind me of a lot of other bands I know; but man! They use that certain sound quite nicely!

When I listen to these guys, I find myself honestly enjoying the music! They are of those bands who you cant really get tired of, you know? They’ve got the good lyrics, the upbeat sound, the snazzy vocals… Really, I think it would be tough for someone to NOT like them! They had me at “We Roll Along”!

Im going to tell you this again, I don’t know much about The Maine. But I kid you not when I say that they rock. If you have a free minute, go check them out. I’m quite sure you wont be disappointed. Seriously!