Tonight four bands will take to the stage to showcase their talent for the finals of the second annual Battle of the Bands at The Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St.
This weekend
there will be an amazing opportunity to see four different bands of numerous genres competing said Brenna Randel, special events coordinator for Court Street Management.
The first place winner will receive a prize of $500, a $150 gift certificate to Blue Eagle Music, 40 N. Court St., a music video to air on Athens Musician Network (www.athensmusician.net) and a performance as an opening act for the next national musician performing at the Gator.
A panel of judges, including representatives from local media, will critique the performance providing 60 percent of the vote and response from audience members in attendance will make up 40 percent of the vote, Randel said.
As an audience member you get an opportunity to select the reputation of a new band and build up a following
said Josh Brown, finance manager for Court Street Management.
Last year, local emo band Break of Day won the title.
Neil Dawson, bassist for We March, said he is confident about the aggressive rock line-up the band prepared.
We March performs regularly in Athens, and usually does not do competitions, Dawson said. Next week, the band begins a national tour from California and back.
As a band
we get excited about performing
said Bill McCallion, drummer of the jazz, rock, pop-fusion band Jet Set Youth. We are pumped to be competing; win or lose
we will give it our best
he said.
As they prepare for a third time performing in a battle competition, Schooley Station hopes this is the charm.
Originated as a folk duo group birthed from an open mic night performance, bassist James Bahleda hopes to expand his geographical location of fan base, he said.
We signed up on a whim and have never performed in Athens before
Bahleda said. I saw my music as something to do in between class.
Also competing are psychedelic-rock band The Snails, who only have been together for a year and a half and are excited to be competing already, said Chris Monday, acoustic guitarist for the band.
17
