After topping the GB charts, 10 Years signs to Universal

In the hard rock scene, 10 Years is known to all but cave-dwellers as a household name in heavy hit-making. The band has been touring all over the globe in support of their Universal Records debut The Autumn Effect, winning fans over with a mix of blunt social consciousness, awe-inspiring performances and killer tunes. Their first single, "Wasteland" recently enjoyed its 35th week on the Billboard Modern Rock Singles chart, having peaked at #1.

Of course, such success doesn't happen overnight. In fact, 10 Years started where every other modern band starts: the Web.

"The Internet is the single biggest resource for independent acts," explained bassist Lewis Cosby. "We hit up GarageBand.com early on. Tons of people heard the track at the top of the GarageBand charts and bought the CD. Our current management had seen the track on the top of GarageBand.com and finally contacted us after also getting the full CD."

It wasn't long before the rest of the music industry caught on. Justin Eshak, A&R for Universal Republic Records, told us that "having a resource like GarageBand was invaluable in our decision to sign 10 Years."

Sure enough, when the support of a great business team met the power of a major label, 10 Years was suddenly enjoying the kind of exposure reserved for rock royalty.

"Now we're playing huge shows," Cosby exclaimed. "Korea -- huge audience, all mouthing the words, and they didn't know what they were saying!"

Props to the GB community for sending the message that helped push 10 Years to the top. We wish the band the best, and we're keeping our ears peeled for the next GarageBand.com success story. Stay tuned and play loud.

Read more about 10 Years and other success stories.

GB metal chart-toppers Threat Signal ink deal with Nuclear Blast

Two years ago, Ontario metal masters Threat Signal posted a demo of their single "Rational Eyes" to GarageBand.com. They must have been on to something, because within weeks the song shot to #1 on the GB metal charts. To this day it remains #1.

That sort of stranglehold on the GB charts can't be ignored by the industry -- a serious industry buzz started to build. Threat Signal flew to Los Angeles to record their debut album with producer and Fear Factory bass player Christian Olde Wolbers, and signed with one of the biggest names in metal: Nuclear Blast.

"At first we were in disbelief!", said guitarist Rich Howard. "After a few e-mails, it became clear it was the real deal. We posted a few songs on Garageband.com and all of the sudden we have one of the top metal labels in the world contacting us, it was unbelievable."

Nuclear Blast label assistant Mike Ruiz added, "The band had all the qualities that make a great band even when they were still a demo band. GarageBand.com is a place where we look at bands on a regular basis... It's what gets bands discovered and keeps the music strong and well!"