(CONTRIBUTED)

Lunchtime got a little more animated on Feb. 11 when an up-and-coming band performed at James Clemens High School.

Reverse Order, a boy band that was a finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” played pop-rock numbers for the Madison teenagers.

Biology teacher and recent California transplant Joelle Lilavois was instrumental in Reverse Order’s gig in Madison. One of Lilavois’ friends owns High School Nation. This California organization sends bands and recording artists who recently signed contracts to perform at schools across the nation at no charge to the school.

“It’s very neat for teenagers to see bands just as they are signed, so when they are climbing the charts, teens can say, ‘I remember when I saw that band,'” Lilavois said.

The dynamic pop-rock band sings powerful teen anthems with driving guitar rhythms and solid lyrics. “Their unique blend of two lead vocalists, John and Cruise Russo, sets them apart from most bands in their genre,” Lilavois said. The other band members are Drew Katsock and Frank Spangler.

The boys organized the band in 2008 and were immediately a hit in the northeast United States. Currently, Reverse Order has just released a new CD, “Right Now.”

Since 2003, High School Nation has worked with thousands of U.S. high and middle schools for fun, free entertainment. The organization has deep roots in the music industry and thus can schedule artists before they become household names.

In addition, High School Nation arranges for students in the arts that are involved with school media and music to interact in interviews and conversations with the recording artists for an up-close experience that they rarely could have.

For more information about High School Nation, visit highschoolnation.org. For more information the band, visit reverseorder.com.