The three bands win all the amazing items below that our friends have donated to this contest to help you get a head start on your music career!

AP will also feature the three bands within the pages of AP as well as on our XM Satellite Radio show, The AP Show, which will be airing on Fungus 53.

Please support all of the bands that have entered -
See below to hear tracks from the top 30 entries!

1 Schecter Tempest Custom Guitar
(vintage white). Value: $819.00

1 Peavey Rotor EX Guitar
Value: $450.00

1 Valve King 212 Guitar Amp
Value: $750.00

1 Ernie Ball Music Man SUB
Value: $695.00

1 Ampeg 100 watt, 15" bass combo (BA-115), incorporating a tilt-back monitor style making them great for stage and studio. Value: $449.00

$200.00 On-Line Gift Certificate to Dickies Clothing Value: $200.00

Go Media Design Services: 5 hours of graphic design services to help refine your band’s image, logo or merch for print and/or web. Value: $425.00
Total Value for all 3: $1,000.00

Epitaph Records 30-CD Pak!
Including: Motion City Soundtrack, From First To Last, Refused, Bouncing Souls, & more! Value: $450.00

“ALMOST FAMOUS” CONTEST RULES
 1. Solo musicians and bands:  send us an MP3 of what you believe is your best song via e-mail only to almostfamous@altpress.com. 2. DEADLINE.  All entries must be received by midnight, August 31, 2006.  ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON/BAND.
3. AP staff members will form a committee to choose the best 30 songs (which will be semifinalists).  What criteria will be used to choose the 30 semifinalist winners?  There will be no 100% scientific and measurable criteria.  The selection committee will choose the 30 semifinalist winners based on their preferences, but will consider:  (1) originality; (2) quality of song; (3) quality of production; and (4) artist’s performance.
4. On or about September 15, 2006, the 30 songs who win the semifinalist round will be posted at http://www.altpress.com/almostfamous (the “Almost Famous web site area”).
5. The general public may then vote via the Almost Famous web site area to pick three (3) best songs (out of the 30 semifinalist winners).   NO REPEAT VOTING WILL BE PERMITTED (THE “RULE”).  AP MAGAZINE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DELETE MULTIPLE VOTES FROM THE SAME COMPUTER I.D. ADDRESS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT, DESPITE AP’S REASONABLE BEST EFFORTS, THERE IS STILL A POSSIBILITY THAT MULTIPLE VOTES WILL REGISTER.   AP, IN ITS DISCRETION, RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY ANY ENTRANT WHO ABUSES, OR WHOSE FANS ABUSE, THE PROCESS AND REPEATEDLY VOTE IN FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF THE RULE.
6. Each of the three artists with the top three (3) vote counts will receive all of the gear listed below.  The gear has been donated by AP’s sponsors.  The three (3) top vote-getters will be announced through the Almost Famous web site area on Monday, October 9, 2006. 
7. The three top vote-getters will be featured in a future print piece in Alternative Press Magazine.  In addition, the three (3) winners will be featured on AP’s XM Satellite Radio Show, “The AP Show” on Channel 53, Fungus Radio, XM Radio.   
8. For additional and updated information, listen to “The AP Show” on Channel 53, Fungus Radio, XM Radio.
9. In the event of a tie, the AP committee members will vote, in their discretion, to break the tie and choose the top three (3) winners.
10. AVAILABLE ONLY TO RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.  YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 13 YEARS OLD TO ENTER.
11. Each person who e-mails an MP3 entry to almostfamous@altpress.com will also be asked to submit his or her name, address, and telephone number, and will be asked to affirm that, by virtue of e-mailing to AP an MP3 of a song, (A) that he or she has the authority and consent of all members of the artist concerned and the writer(s) (or publisher(s) if necessary) of the song concerned to have the song considered for this contest, that the submitter is at least 13 years of age, and that all members of the artist whose song is being submitted are at least 13 years of age, (B) that AP or its designee(s) has the authority to stream the song through AP’s web site and on AP’s satellite radio show, (C) that AP may publicize the name of the artist, and/or its members, and the name of the song, (D) that, if requested by AP, all members of the artist will execute any non-exclusive licenses deemed necessary by AP so that AP can lawfully publicly perform and publicize the music, (E) that no other consideration, prize, or monetary award will be expected by artist other than the chance to win the prizes set forth below, and (F) that, AP in its sole discretion, may elect to seek written consent from the parent or guardian of any minor child who is an artist or who is a member of an artist who has been selected as a top three (3) vote-getter (and, should said parent or guardian be unwilling to sign a consent form, AP, in its discretion, may in its discretion decide not to publicly perform or feature said artist in AP Magazine or on AP’s XM Radio show).  THE LAW FORBIDS THE COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 13 WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT.  IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 13, OR IF ANY MEMBER OF YOUR BAND IS UNDER THE AGE OF 13, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE CONTEST.
12. ONLY ORIGINAL SONGS WILL BE CONSIDERED.   ARTISTS MUST WRITE THEIR OWN MATERIAL.  “COVER” SONGS REQUIRE THE PERMISSION OF THE MUSIC PUBLISHER AND/OR SONGWRITER BEFORE THEY MAY BE REPRODUCED, PUBLICLY PERFORMED, AND/OR DISTRIBUTED.   ARTISTS WHO SUBMIT “COVER” SONGS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE CONTEST.  
13. Each winner will be responsible for paying any taxes, if any, that may be associated with the prizes.  The prizes are not redeemable in cash and must be accepted as awarded.  This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws.
14. AP Magazine reserves the right to withdraw or terminate this contest at any time without prior notice.
15. Decisions of the AP committee members are final; no substitutions will be available.
16. By claiming a prize, the winners authorize the use, without additional compensation, of his or her name and/or likeness and/or voice/photograph and municipality of residence for promotion and/or advertising purposes in any manner and in any medium (including without limitation, in radio broadcasts, over the web, in newspapers, in AP Magazine, and through satellite radio).   CONSENT OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN MAY, IN AP’S DISCRETION, ALSO BE OBTAINED.
17. In accepting any prize, a winner acknowledges that neither AP nor any of its sponsors, affiliates, or partners may be held liable for any loss, damages, or injury associated with accepting or using the prize(s).