Battle of the Bands: The Contenders
Pictures courtesy of their respective bands.
UVUSA will be hosting a battle of the bands competition on Wednesday, March 30. The event, which will be held in the Courtyard, will see performances from seven different artists.
Over 30 bands auditioned to compete in the competition on Monday and Wednesday of last week and only a select few made the cut. During the audition process, the bands were selected on a number of criteria. Preparedness, originality, ability, musicianship and presence were all taken into consideration as these performers battled for the chance to compete.
The jury for Wednesday’s competition, an undisclosed board of fairly well-known musicians, will decide on the university’s most talented act while Adam Kaiser of Orem’s pianorock band The Neighbors MC’s the performance.
Sara Rosenborough, UVUSA’s Fine Arts Chair, explained the process by which the winner will be selected. Beyond the aforementioned criteria, “student vote will account for 40 percent of the bands’ final score. Students will receive a ticket upon entering the show. During the judging process, students will show their support for the band by putting the ticket in their favorite artist’s bucket.”
Six bands will be competing in the competition. During the judging process, there will be a special performance by solo artist Benji Xechimitl. Admission will be $3 with a UVU ID and $5 dollars without one. The performance begins at 6:00 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the Grande Ballroom.
With the ticket, students will not only be able to watch the bands perform, but they can also play Rock Band, eat unlimited popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones and even tie-dye T-shirts for the bands to sign.
The following bands will be competing.
Kiss Me, Kill Me
Band members: Mikeal Robinson, Michael Pett, James Blakely and Felix Desposorio
Influences: “We all listen to different music, anything from 80’s pop to punk music. Anything that has great lyrics.”
Years together/formed: Three years (2008)
Genre: Alt. rock/gypsy rock
Goodnight Annabelle
Band members: Sam Giovanini, Mike Shaver, Byron Garvin, Jaren Soelberg and Ricky Shox.
Influences: Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory, Linkin Park and Muse
Years together/formed: A year and a half (2009)
Genre: Alt. rock
The Second Round
Band members: Braden Dye, Casey Keele, Colby Critchfield and Perry Burton
Influences: Anberlin, Taking Back Sunday, Terrible Things and Thrice
Years together/formed: A year (2010)
Genre: Alt. Rock
Victoria
Band members: Austin Cross, Justin Woods, Kellen Pugmire and Zac Bryant
Influences: King Crimson, Nine Inch Nails and Led Zeppelin
Years together/formed: 4 Years (2007)
Genre: “Mini-progressive rock”
Endon
Band members: Atamu (Adam Scott), Austin Lindsay, Muerte (Jared Montemayor), and Kace.
Influences: Nickelback, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle and Killswitch Engage
Years together/formed: 4 Years (2007)
Genre: Hard rock
The Hideout
Band members: Eric Michaels, Steve Michaels and Eric Espinel
Influences: The Script, Bruno Mars and Boys Like Girls
Years together/formed: A year and a half (2009)
Genre: Pop rock