BATB Victors!

The winners are...

9 Tigers (third)

A Streetcar Named Funk (second)

Jamestown, The First Town in America (first)

Stay tuned for some more in depth discussion of the BATTLE and some pics.

Z

Battle of the Bands 2012 Predictions

It's time for BATTLE OF THE BANDS again! That time where a bunch of Yale bands compete for who will get to open at Spring Fling! And what a beautiful day for it! The sun is raining down in sheets and prefrosh are sprouting up everywhere. Enjoy a hot (almost) summer night with some rockin' tunes infused with..well...moRtaL KomBat.

no, i did not take this photograph...arcade something

This year's BATB contestants are Ghost to Go (Jake Backer and non-Yalies Sam Backer, Howe Pearson and Owen Callahan), Jamestown, The First Town in America (Raphael Shapiro, Mark Sonnenblick, Jacob Paul, Will Moritz, Will Hutchison, Andrew Everett, Brendan Ternus, Yael Zinkow), The Keep Calm (Alex Bae, Ishan Sinha, Kenneth Crouch, John Cocco), A Streetcar Named Funk (Michael Blume, Nathaniel Meyer, Alyssa "tenor sax extraordinaire" Hasbrouck, Grant Phelps, Nathan Prillaman, Tim Gladding, Andi Zhou, Zach Simao, Will Moritz), Deeck (Jamar Bromley, John "Greeno" Greenawalt, Katharine Seggerman, Matthew Prewitt) and 9 Tigers (but four members..Adam Klein, Sam Frampton, Matías Anaya, Tayo Ajayi). They go on in that order in 45 minute sets starting at 9 p.m. tonight. So do some math and show up about 15 minutes after your fav band's calculated time to account for error in stage transition time and OMG THIS BLOG IS NOT A LAB REPORT. Physics 206 woes. It's happening, at the Crypt of 438 College Street...hmmm not too far from lab...

The WYBC is playing host to fewer bands than last year's nine this year, although 22 bands auditioned for the honour to compete, including Salivating Eyes, the oft-under-rated-soon-to-be-graduated, wailing rock group that I think most embodies college spirit, Sister Helen, which took third last year, Chilled Water Supply, the kings of jazz, and No We're Not, an up-and-coming band that boasts the musical compositions of former Gets the Girls and current Streetcar man Nathan Prillaman JE '13.

comeonnn!

These bands did not make the cut, sadly. I was also looking forward to hearing the Rain Brigade, but because of band members' studying abroad, the band is taking a two-term performance hiatus while members hit the studio instead. Bummer. Fortunately, many musicians in the rejected bands are also in bands that got in, and many of the groups the WYBC chose not to admit to the BATTLE including things such as laptops and synthesizers and DJs and skype?

Anyway, onto what's important in life. Who should and (probably) will actually WIN.

In thirrrrdd placcccce....

THE KEEP CALM

Keeping Calm at Fall Fest

This group has come a long way this year and has garnered a solid fan base. The riffs are very catchy, and the new, improved bass lines help carry the tunes along. The band also strikes an interesting, existential balance between rocking and keeping calm, as its name suggests. For these reasons, the band is likely to take place but unlikely to win. Alex Bae is a talented lyricist who doesn't seem to take himself too seriously (great appeal for Yale), though his vocals sometimes lack the smooth, expressive transitions throughout different parts of his range we love hearing from singers with more professional training, and a stronger command of the mixed vocal register (it's haaaardd) would especially help this band's relaxed yet strong style. Still, I'm expecting good things from this group and a good crowd of supporters to voter avec les screams. (Not only is this Franglish appauling, but it's redudant. I can't say this!! Oh wait, too late; I just did.)

2ND PLACE: A STREETCAR NAMED FUNK

Michael Blume knows how to WORK IT with the crowd. The band also has strength in numbers, so lots of its members' friends (disclaimer myself included) should show up. The jazzy style might be a nice wildcard in a three-band set that is likely to feature a lot of typical(ish) rock music. Plus the group features some of the most talented musicians on campus and the composing talents of Prillaman. Blume and the kids are likely to win a lot of hearts tonight. The group does have some weaknesses, but they are more the intangible kind...we'll save these for another time and point out the one tangible flaw of this funkified frenzy. Right now, Streetcar is really more of a covers group. Yes, Nathan has given them a few nice original songs, but most of the high-energy, crowd-pleasing numbers are covers. Hopefully by Spring Fling Nathan will be able to whip out some more originals though. I have faith, and I can't wait to see everyone in this group in crazy outfits making magic, especially if they get improv solos.

Streetcar performing one of its favourite covers..surpise guest visit by Wes Moyer!

The Winner. Will. Be.

Jamestown, The First Town in America

Not much to say about Jamestown, last year's victors that hasn't been said other than that I can't wait for the EP. Jamestown is the most popular campus band competiting, and for good reason, and I know the group has kept in shape with lots of shows this year. They did it once; they'll do it again. I will say no more.

Last year's champs

New band I'm most interested to see: 9 Tigers.

Bare your teeth for the BATTLE. And BE PREPARED.

Z

Hola, Apocalypse!

Don't you love it when an event's title is in Spanish for no reason? I know I do ;)

Tonight's lineup might be almost as good as a trip to Madrid...almost.

yep, took this one in Madrid

In the Morse/Stiles Theater from two Yale and one alum band are taking the stage. At 8:30 it's A Streetcar Named Funk, at 9:30 alum band Brother K (my limited research into this group says nobody knows who they are but they sound "chill."), and Salivating Eyes at 10:30.

Streetcar, or rather bassist Nathan Prillamen '13, has been working on some funky originals, so be sure to look out for those.

Salivating Eyes is kind of goofy, as the following "cover" video shows. These guys know how to have fun. But when it comes to their originals, they really bring it. The guitar solos alone are enough to make my eyes salivate (whatever that means?!?!?)

I really love this song...and that drawing is pretty sexy...

So get ready for FUNKY, CHILL, SHREDDING SALIVATION. In that order. Alright, I support this.

See you front and centre,

Z

Get your spook on

What is spookier than having your parents here during Halloween weekend?

Spooky music with your parents, perhaps?

This weekend, bands are giving two musical frightshows back-to-back and costumes are encouraged.

internet photo

First tonight at 10pm it’s The Keep Calm (preparing you for a scarry weekend with your family by reminding you of their name….) and A Streetcar Named Funk at Sigma Chi, 33 Lynwood Place. Sig Chi just became my favourite frat. Thanks, bros for supporting our music scene, bra.

From "Boys in Briefs"

The Keep Calm goes on at 10pm. The band features Alexander Bae BR ’14 (vocals, guitar, piano), John Cocco JE ’14 (drums), Kenneth Crouch ’14 (bass), and Ishan Sinha BR ’14 (guitar).

Their chill sound, fun riffs and collegiate lyrics are bound to leave calming melodies ringing in your heads for the duration of the weekend. Fweewwh.

The Keep Calm at Fall Fest

Songs are always scarier when they’re funky.

A Streetcar Named Funk will bust out four fresh, original songs within a 12-song set as it takes the stage at 10:45. The band features some talented solo musicians; we’ll see how they all come together.

Michael Blume ’12 (vocals), Nathan Prillaman JE ’13 (bass), Andi Zhou JE ’13 (keys), Zach Simao JE ’13 (drums), Will Moritz TC ’12, tenor saxophonist extraordinaire Alyssa Hasbrouck MC ’14 (alto sax...lol), Tim Gladding SY ’13 (euphonium), Grant Phelps JE ’14 (tenor sax), Nathaniel Meyer SY ’13 (trumpet) will take the stage.

Streetcar plays a halftime show (photo from Streetcar not mine)

Then tomorrow at 378 Crown, 9:30 pm, things are going to get really spooky.

Think a Halloween party + parents hosted by Ghost Town the Deadest Town in America.

More on this tomorrow.

From "MarvelBlog"

Are you scared yet?

Z

Jamestown: Nine at 9

Jamestown,The First Town in America — last year's Battle of the Bands champs — is playing at Café Nine (250 State St.) tonight at 9.

Jamestown at Spring Fling

Guitarist Will Moritz TC '12 is in for one hell of a day. His other band a Streetcar Named Funk was just featured in the first YPMB halftime show of the season — funkified!

"Play that funky music....Nathan Prillaman JE '13!"

Funky White Boys

Other (non-Yale) bands performing tonight include Boy Genius feat. Mr. Ray Neal, The Cavemen Go, and The Novels. Jamestown should go on at around 9:30.

Cover is $5 and you must be 21 +. Which means I can't go. Which is sad. But it's good for our endowment. Because I would otherwise seriously consider shirking my singing duties at the Yale Tomorrow event tonight to go to this. So if you're 21 please go for me.

If you also signed up to sing Bright College Years in the President's Room tonight but you're 21, go anyway. Play hookey! Even if you're a better singer than I am. Endowment?? whaaa?

If you're kicking yourself because you didn't realize Jamestown was playing and went to NY for the weekend you can still catch Sister Helen at MTA Courtelyou Road (Q train) in Brooklyn Sunday from 1:30 to 3pm. It's going to be a crazy awesome street festival!

Sister Helen at Spring Fling

Singing/yelling/chanting/screaming on the bus back from the game a good vocal chord warmup?

I think so.

Z

Relay for Life: Band Lineup

Hey melody makers,

Relay for Life is tonight. The thing that gives money to help prevent cancer and has all the carnival blow-up thingys you don't want to admit how much fun your having on. This year's Relay is CIRCUS THEMED. You have no idea how excited I am about this.

About a month ago, I was talking with my friend Alyssa about how cool it would be if some student bands played at Relay because it was something I had noticed was done in past years.

And now we have some! Yay, Alyssa!

Here’s the lineup, starting at 10:45pm and going through 1am.

Even Artichokes Have Hearts

A Streetcar Named Funk

Salivating Eyes

mmmm mine are salivating

So three groups we didn’t get a chance to hear at Battle of the Bands. Alyssa, tenor saxophonist extraordinaire is in Streetcar, a new group with a funky, jazzy sound. Last I heard they were mostly doing covers, but we’ll see if they’re releasing any originals tonight.

So go. You know you want to. Even if you end up there after a drunken night, they’ll have food for you and music and games and bouncy things, oh joy. And bring $10 for cancer.

...also yours truly may or may not be taking a lap on a certain yellow one-wheeled vehicle…it’s for cancer.