So I’m going to give the bands my own awards based on the scores and comments from my notes.
**Random Side Note: “Radio Junky” couldn’t make it to judge, so Ralph the security guard stepped in.
In case you forgot, Sister Helen took 3rd, Gets the Girl 2nd, Jamestown, The First Town in America, 1st. Champs.
Now for the UNOFFICIAL AWARDS.
CRAZIEST PERFORMANCE: Sister Helen.
They were prettttty insane. Frontman Nathan Campbell ES ’14 is quite the performer. He stripped on stage and did a headstand in his boxers. Mmmm… The guitarist was solid, but I really think the only reason they won was the "experimental sex rock" spectacle.
These are the eyes of a crazy person.
BEST BREAKOUT BAND: The Black Marias.
Great job, freshmen. The level of improvement they showed from their acoustic demos really blew me away. Solid rock band with an electric violin—a nice touch. I’m looking forward to hearing an album put out soon—I’d recommend some high-energy violin and guitar solos--and I’d say they have a shot at future BATBs.
LOUDEST CHEERING SECTION: Seven Locks.
Few people stayed for the entirety of Battle of the Bands. People milled in and out, with a fairly constant 50 or so average attendance. But as soon as Seven Locks was about to go on the audience got a LOT louder. Audience enthusiasm way up. Clearly, friends of this freshmen group are not afraid to yell their heads off. Let’s hope Seven Locks rocks as hard as its cheering section in future BATBs.
Just listen to them scream.
SEEMLESSNESS AWESOMENESS: Jamestown, The First Town in America.
Their orchestration blends really well within each song, and at BATBs, so did their set. Jamestown played it straight through, making full use of their time and maintaining the energy level. With no gaps in the music, slower songs were just interesting changes of pace. This is how it’s supposed to work.
Here's a song Jamestown didn't play at BATB that I hope they play at Spring Fling.
(the water pipe thing is there for artistic purposes...I swear)
CREEPIEST PERFORMANCE: Roark. I was actually scared. These people are scaaaary. No really. Creeeeepy synthesizers/outfits.
THE “IS THIS STAGE A FIRE HAZARD YET?” AWARD: Gets the Girl.
This group is described on the former YMS blog as a “duo.” Right…
Ellis likes composing for all different sorts of instruments. Blending genres is cool. Rock band? Jamestown has a trumpet; let’s add one. Hell, let’s add a string section! SIC InC (I hope this crazy capitalization thing is right...) goes rock? Nah, we’ll just take Plume Giant; they’re coming anyway. The end result? A very crowded stage of very talented musicians from all walks of the campus’ music scene. Hot musical mess.
Smokin’
BEST OVERALL: Plume Giant (thought we could get through a post without talking about them eh…?)
Plume Giant just gets better every time I see them. At the end of that performance, I was convinced they had won.
Because they were clearly the best.
PG battling with "Fool Hall" (NOT "Honey Pie" this time haha foooled you)
They play their songs on a whim because they know them so well; they have great group chemistry; they don’t stop having fun at no cost whatsoever to their musical focus.
Maybe the judges thought they wouldn’t be able to engage a crowd.
I disagree.
If they’re not opening at Spring Fling next year there will be a tantrum.
So anyway here’s the lineup for Spring Fling (in case you didn’t get the memo..)
With an after party at Toads at 11pm with DJ Earworm.
I kind of want to hear more than three student bands. Do you think we could start a riot? Like get reeeeaaallly angry about one of the artists performing and stage an alternative concert in Trumbull? Designer Drugs! How dare they! Everyone Designer Drugs is racist.
Spread it around.
Remember to pick up a copy of 17O1’s CD “Blue Noise” if you like hard copies of things or download it tonight. Because you won’t be able to get it free anymore.
What are you most looking forward to tomorrow?
Z
i totally missed designer drugs bc i thought lupe was the last act and left, hahaaha
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