Homegrown, high-energized and with the release of its third album, Twelve Cents for Marvin is on the move up in the popular music scene.

Created in Northern Colorado at Colorado State University, this 8-year-old band, which got its name from a panhandler on the 16th Street Mall asking for 12 cents, has been recognized as one of the state’s best for some time now.

Mixing several genres including reggae, funk and ska, Twelve Cents has finally broken on to the main stage with its new album, The EP and with the hit single “Social Suicide.”

The song has recently spread across the nation and is being showcased on the Still Standing compilation album, along with other bands such as The Might Mighty Bosstones and The Toasters.

In the band’s press release, bassist Hilary Spriggs, the band’s founding member, talks about Twelve Cents’ evolution of sound.

“We’ve gotten to a point where the recorded music we are putting out truly showcases our musical talent yet remains very radio worthy,” said Spriggs.

Spriggs continues, “[Our newest CD] is a representation of our improved and refined style yet remains a true representation of authentic underground ska.”

The nine-member band features classic rock band instruments such as guitar, bass and drums, but also incorporates keyboards, horns and a theremin – an electronic instrument played by moving one’s hands near two antennas in order to create a high tremolo effect.

Twelve Cents’ sound is tight and fun, and has been compared to bands such as Sublime, George Clinton and the P Funk Allstars with a touch of Bob Marley showing through.

Such musical ingenuity has made Twelve Cents for Marvin the talk of many local music magazines since the band was awarded first place in Scene Magazine’s 2004 Battle of the Bands.

Additionally, the band has been acknowledged as the best band in Northern Colorado for three years running by the Rocky Mountain Collegian.

Success did not come so easy for Twelve Cents.

In a 2003 interview, trumpet player and lead vocalist Tom Werge explained some of the difficulties the band has encountered.

“If you had to add up all the members we’ve had, it would be more than 20,” Werge said.

“It keeps us fresh,” he said staying positive about the turnover. “It continues to reinvigorate us.”

Now with a solid core group, Twelve Cents is finally starting to turn heads and has played shows with many well established bands including Less Than Jake, Let’s Go Bowling, The Sugar Hill Gang and Stroke 9.

For more information about Twelve Cents for Marvin, visit www.12cents.com where you can also purchase their newest CD.

Twelve Cents next appearance will be at a United Way Benefit show in Fort Collins at the University Park Holiday Inn, so go check them out.