For every kid out there who ever picked up a guitar and dreamed of making it big: here is a band that did.

Seven Channels went through the usual process to form their band–practice, put on a few shows, win a contest and get a record deal. Well that last part may be a little unusual, but Seven Channels did just that.

They released their debut self-titled album last August. The band, which hails from Dallas, Texas, is enjoying their new-found fame. They have already toured with 3 Doors Down and Nickelback, and recently performed here in Denver with Sugar Ray. Their hit single “Breathe” has been getting heavy radio airtime as well as MTV2 play.

The road to a record deal was somewhat different for these four musicians. After making a name for themselves in Dallas, they were named one of the “Top Five Unsigned Bands” by VH1’s Rock across America tour in 1999. Eventually they received a record deal by winning the Mars Music’s “Quit your Day Job” contest. Palm records signed them and the result is the ten song self-titled CD.

The album itself is strong, with music that has a unique yet familiar sound. Between Kevin Kirkwood on vocals, Dallas Perry on guitar, Dalton Humphreys on bass and Ben Holt on drums, they create an alternative rock sound filled with distorted guitars and thundering beats. Their music is comparable to Creed or fellow Dallas band 3 Doors Down.

They have been through a lot and their music reflects that. They layer the music in a way that makes you want to keep listening. The beats will stick in your head long after you turn off your CD player. It is not merely a mechanical sound; you can tell there is real heart in the songs. Kirkwood said they have endured a lot including personal changes, car crashes and deaths of friends and family. Despite all of this sadness, the music still has an upbeat, hopeful sound to it. Besides their single “Breathe,” songs like “Velcro Parade”, “Helium” and “Rooftop” all exhibit amazing riffs, beats, and rhythms. The drumbeats by Holt are solid throughout the entire album, along with the guitar playing of Perry For a first album these four show superb skill.

Despite Seven Channels’ somewhat unorthodox methods of making an album, they endured. The result is ten very solid songs. Keep your ear tuned to the radio, because you are likely to hear big things from this band.

Says Kirkwood, “We want to rock peoples faces off. That’s our goal.”