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SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

FOXBORO

For more than 10 years, one of Boston's fixtures in the music scene has been an 11-piece pop cover band called MAGNUS. Founded by Foxboro resident, business owner and Taylor School dad, Collin Earnst, the band has played more than 60 venues in seven states, tallying more than 300 shows.

Yet, after years of playing Boston's top venues - including headlining Boston's City Hall Plaza and opening for Tavares, the Sugar Hill Gang and Jessica Simpson - and logging miles all over New England, the Foxboro-based band is coming "home" for the first time.

MAGNUS, which typically draws hundreds to its Boston shows, will play to an audience of friends and neighbors when the band makes its Foxboro debut at the new Waxy O'Connor's in the Shops at Chestnut Green off Main and Chestnut streets starting at 9 p.m. today. In addition to Earnst, several other band members have roots in the surrounding area, including Medfield and Norwood.

"After playing shows all over New England for the past 10 years, it's great to have a venue like Waxy O'Connor's right here in Foxboro," Earnst said. "Based on the success of the club, it's apparent that Foxboro and the surrounding area have wanted a live music nightspot like this, and we're looking forward to bringing our high-energy show to town."

The band was founded in 1997 by a group of seven Boston College graduates and one friend from UMass-Amherst.

Initially billed as an '80s band, MAGNUS has evolved into a versatile band covering five decades of music.

Its original line-up featured guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and four horns. Then, five years after establishing the group, the band added three female vocalists.

The band's repertoire now includes songs by everyone from Aretha Franklin to AC/DC, J. Geils to Journey, Bon Jovi to Black Crowes, and Madonna to Maroon 5.

"From the outset, we made a conscious effort to play 'favorites' that weren't being played by every other cover band in town," Earnst said. "Whether it's our song selection, our instrumentation, or our performance; we try to give our audiences an experience unlike anything they've seen."

"Music plays such a big part of my life, and it's something I haven't been able to share with our friends here in Foxboro," said Earnst who runs a local marketing company in his 'day-job.'

"It's really great to have the opportunity to perform in front of our friends and see some familiar faces."

For more information, visit www.waxys.com or www.MagnusBoston.com.