From the opening credits of the episode to the climaxes of Marissa and Julie’s fights, all the way down to the Ben Folds and Nirvana poster-plastered walls of Seth’s bedroom, one thing is apparent — “The OC” prides itself on music. With the third season premiering Thursday, “The OC” is sure to dish out another episode full of scene-stealing songs.

Admit during last season’s finale when Kirsten wept at Caleb’s funeral and Marissa pulled the trigger on the gun, it never would have been as powerful had Imogen Heap’s creepy head-spinning song “Hide and Seek” not been floating in the background. There’s no doubt that much of the appeal of “The OC” is because of the meticulously chosen music heard on the show.

As much of a mainstream phenomenon as “The OC” has become, the music chosen to represent it is far from mainstream — at least when it is first heard on the show. Viewers aren’t hearing the radio-friendly voices of Mariah Carey, the Black Eyed Peas or Hilary Duff. Instead, “The OC” has managed to lure in multiple independent bands to not only act as the backdrop to the episodes but provide live performances as well.

In fact, Rooney, Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, the Killers, the Thrills, Rachel Yamagata and the Walkmen have all performed live for the series. And as a result, many of these bands, particularly Death Cab for Cutie, have gained loads of attention and a whole new credibility among the masses.

“It definitely is the ‘in’ thing. If you’re in an independent band, getting offered money for your song and having it played on network television sounds like a great thing,” says Seth Hubbard, publicist for Polyvinyl Records.

Songs from two Polyvinyl bands, Of Montreal and Audible, have been played on episodes of “The OC.” Hubbard says the label works with the show’s music supervision department in order to get its bands on the show.

“Whenever we have a new release, we definitely send it their way,” he says. “It’s something that is a definite perk for any struggling indie band to get in front of that many potential fans.”

Seattle-based Sub Pop Records has also been successful in getting two of its bands, The Autumn Leaf and Love As Laughter, heard on “The OC.”

“I don’t know if it’s quite as great as a Letterman appearance, but people do find out about bands from television appearances,” says Jennifer Czeisler, vice president of licensing for Sub Pop Records. “It’s added exposure for bands and also may give them some additional money to keep on touring.”

Not only is the exposure a perk for the band, but for the viewer as well. Hearing new music may be a good reason to tune in every week. Mike Koch, junior in industrial and computer engineering, says he has downloaded songs after hearing them played on “The OC.” He says Death Cab for Cutie is a band that sparked his attention.

“I got all three albums after they were on the show,” he says.

He says the music is now something he looks forward to.

“Normally when I watch the show I’ll kind of keep on eye out for new songs and such,” he says.

Molly Kruse, sophomore in exercise and sport science, says a live performance by Rooney caught her attention.

“Once they were on the show, they kind of came out and everyone liked them,” she says. “I remember I downloaded all the music for them. I think ‘The OC’ probably helped them a lot.”

The idea of bands gaining exposure on a major television series is not a new idea. The Peach Pit on “Beverly Hills 90210” attracted bands the same way the Bait Shop does on “The OC.” The show is just following in its predecessors’ footsteps and offering up a new wave of bands to a new wave of kids.