Issue date: 5/5/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Schureman, Shannon Battle of the Bands champions, The Thomas Confession, plays onstage the University Ballroom Monday night. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Schureman, Shannon Lead guitarist of Running Riot, Vinnie Guidera, plays on stage during Battle of the Bands in the University Ballroom Monday night. [Click to enlarge]

An unearthly mix of bands competed against each other Monday evening in the University Union Ballroom. The winner took home a $500 gift certificate from Guitar Center, along with about a weeks worth of bragging rights.

Cringing at the thought of sitting through the performance of 10 bands for two hours, some of which seemed new and inexperienced, it wasn't surprising to find the ballroom barely filled with music-lovers.



A panel of three judges evaluated the performers based on preparedness, crowd applause and overall ability, and they were given one simple rule: each band had to perform one song cover of another artist or group.

The majority of the bands were from the alternative, rock, and indie genre and then a few black sheep here and there, spiced things up in both a good and bad way.

"Smegma Johnson and The Dirty Boys" managed to mix screamo, rap, punk, and whatever else could possibly be considered a genre together to form something that resembled music, but was difficult to make out. The two lead singers yelled about condoms and crayons and at one point actually threw both out into the audience.

Among the more exciting bands, third place winners, "Spin 45," combined diversity and talent to the performance.

Listening to them on stage, they reminded me a lot of "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones," having heavy Jamaican Mento influence. One played saxophone, while another played keyboard, and another on trumpet as well as guitar, drums and a lead singer.

Second place winner was "Purdy Lane," and first place winner was "The Thomas Confession."

With the announcement of the winners, a mild amount of uproar sounded from the audience, they felt "Fate Under Fire" should have taken first place.

Jessica Randolph, freshman business major, said the first place winner should have been "Fate Under Fire" or "Spin 45."

"I think this whole thing was rigged, I mean there is no way 'The Thomas Confession' should have won when 'Spin 45' had three times their talent."

On a lighter note, some of the bands didn't care who came in first or last place, they just wanted the opportunity to rock.

Kevin Hayes, junior sociology major and bassist of "Running Riot," said he was bummed his band got the opening spot but was just happy to perform on campus.
"We weren't expecting to win, it was just nice to play with kids our own age at Sac State."

Even David Albertson, junior music major and guitarist of "Pointdexter," said "Spin 45" should have taken the winning position.

"'Spin 45' should have gotten first place because they had great crowd response, they worked hard and played well."

They came, they saw, they moshed. I think all had a head-banging good time.

Amber Wertman can be reached at awertman@statehornet.com

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