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

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

Your Caffeinated Campus hosts fall music

So if you’re a Yale student by now you might have some idea of what you’re taking this term (hmmmmmm or maybe not), but before you dive into that fluid mechanics problem set how about a free concert?

After all, the year hasn’t actually started until the music scene kicks off.

This is actually in my room...

Unfortunately for this procrastination technique—and fortunately in every other way possible!—it is kicking off this Saturday, with not one, but two, events.

OMGNOWAY.

First the YCC Fall Festival is running from 11am until 2pm on Old Campus. The event features two YMS bands—The Black Marias and The Keep Calm.

The Keep Calm struts down Old Campus

Here’s the line-up:

The Black Marias 12-12:50

-- Caitlin Pequignot ES '14 (violin, lead vocals), Sam Gelernter SM '14 (guitar, backup vocals), Jacob Backer MC '14 (bass, lead vocals), Ethan Schneider ES '14 (drums)

The Keep Calm 1-2

-Alexander Bae BR '14 (vocals, guitar, pinao), John Cocco JE '14 (drums), Kenneth Crouch (bass), Ishan Sinha BR '14 (lead guitar)

The Black Marias made their big breakout at Battle of the Bands when they seriously wowed the crowd with a high energy performance of violin riffs, distorted guitar and harmonized male and female vocals, all backed by simple yet effective drum beats. The violin fits well within the rock riffs and doesn’t feel forced. In fact, it provides some nice melodic fills that keep the songs interesting (some additional drum fills might also be nice). I also really like the bluesy basslines.

The band’s cheery background vocals, and the band members themselves (sophomores), radiate youth. But lyrics are not so naïve as one might expect. Example “Sentiments” ““I never said you were special. You’re just the best that I could find.”

Ouch.

This is one band that sounds much better live than on their recordings, especially since they’re new to making them. I always love bands that give performances their all and expect The Black Marias to continue this trend.

The Keep Calm is a revamped version of Seven Locks, which won the award for the loudest cheering section at BATB. They seem to manage to bring all of Branford College to their shows. Impressive.

Seven Locks at BATB

Ishan, lead guitarist, said the band changed its sound over the summer, so a name change was appropriate. The songs are mostly the same, but the band spiced up the bass parts. I approve.

Instead of intense rock, the sound is chiller. Frontman Alex Bae is a talented lyricist (so listen up!)—straightforward, interesting, genuine—and the riffs are super catchy. I have a few suggestions for this group, but I will save them for after the performance. I will say that adding a bit of reverb will help round out the sound.

Download their stuff here. (you have to “like” the page, sneaky, but you can unlike it later if you so choose) Warning: If you listen to “Disappear” or “Overcast” it will be stuck in your head.

Seven Locks playing “Pasadena,” which you should hear tomorrow at BATB last year. Notice loud cheering.

YCC Events Coordinator Katie “bringsdafun” Donley ES ’13 said she asked the WYBC for band suggestions and Carl “radboss” Chen MC '13, general manager, suggested The Black Marias. Since Ishan is in WYBC, he volunteered his band too. Jamestown, The First Town in America had originally planned to play too.

Because of Hurricane Irene, the extracurricular bazaaaaaar was pushed back a week, as you probably realize by now, so the YCC was nice enough to offer to move Fall Fest back a week.

But this had consequences.

Jamestown now can’t make it, so the festival is a band short(er). (Hurricane Irene feel my wrath!) Katie said she might plug in a DJ instead or let The Black Marias and The Keep Calm play longer sets. And because the event is no longer on a Sunday—and there’s a rule about playing music before noon during religious services (whatifmusicisyourreligion?!?!?)—the noice can to start at 11. Wake up and hear the amplifiers!

“Stick around and enjoy the atmosphere,” Katie said. “Listening to music serves the double purpose of introducing freshman to the music scene at Yale.”

Please and thank you.

The YCC was also originally interested in having Plume Giant play at Fall Fest (I mean why wouldn’t they be), but because PG is really busy working on their new album, they won’t be doing as many concerts this fall.

The members of Plume Giant will be busy in another way. Which brings us to kickassmusicevent number 2.

The PG members are kicking off the grand opening of their Underbrook Coffeehouse concert series, which runs every other Saturday from 7:30-9:45ish (bands go on at 8) in Saybrook Underbrook (entryway H) and features one Yale and one non-Yale band and artwork, maybe poetry too. AWESOME!

This week the artwork will be by Rebecca Schultz SM '12. Don’t ask me what she does but I bet it’ll be cool.

Even Artichokes Have Hearts, a tamborine-uke duo with Sarah DeLappe BR '12 and Chloe Sarbib SY '12 will set the mood with heartfelt uked-up songs. They’re fun, but don’t expect to be jumping up and down to the riff. It’s a coffeehouse, after all.

Even Artichokes Have Hearts at Relay For Life 2011

Anthony daCosta, a folk musician from NYC, will then take the stage. Check him out here. The Washington Post thinks he’s “promising.” Not really my style, but it should be interesting.

Anthony DeCosta. Photo by Jake Jacobson.

Even if you’re not into these particular artists, I would at least go to hang with music people, get some coffee, and see what this series is all about.

Coffee is 50c and cookies are 25c. Mmmmm. Caffeinate yourself.

Z