I was honored to be a judge at Warren East’s Battle of the Bands. We’re not talking marching bands here, we’re talking local rock bands. In what is becoming an annual charitable event, local teen bands compete for a winner take all $200 prize. All proceeds go to the school’s music program. Director Adam Vincent tries to get bands from all of the area high schools to make it that much more fun and competitive. So with an auditorium full of friends and family, 4 bands took to the stage to show us what they got. And that us included local D93 DJ Tommy Starr, and Belmont University student recruiter James Shockley.

Each band does two songs. They can be originals or covers, but since one of the scoring criteria is on originality they are asked to do at least one original. Besides the music, the bands are rated on stage presence, how they interact/engage the audience, and how drawn in the audience seemed to be to them. So there was plenty for the three of us judges to observe.

A duo (they’re looking for a bass player) called the Facient kicked things off. It features Sven Dugandzija on guitar and vocals and Kendrick Brent on drums and backing vocals. For two guys they put out a lot of sound, and did two originals. Next up was KIC featuring Colton Fulcher on guitar, Jacob Carter on bass, and Hayden Gibbs on drums. All three do vocals. They were followed by Philio featuring Arthur Rone on guitar, Laura Cox on vocals, Bobby Lee on bass, and Kyle Arnold on drums. Closing out the competition were Buffalo Rodeo featuring Nathaniel Davis on guitar, Zachary Preston on vocals (and some guitar), Ryan Gilbert on drums, and David Edward Hall on bass.

The winner gets to come back and do a couple more songs, and that winner was Buffalo Rodeo. KIC took the runner-up spot and The Facient took third place. There were guitar straps and related gear for all the bands besides the $200 prize for the winners.

But perhaps the best thing about it was that the kids all seemed to have a great time, and so did the audience. And it was all for a good cause. So up and coming bands, come on out next year and show Bowling Green what you got going. And everyone else, come on out and support this fun event. 

The Warren East HS Battle of the Bands was on  5/20/2011.

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman