The time for WMLU's 2009 Battle of the Bands is quickly approaching, and the station is more than prepared to put on an awesome show.
This year's Battle of the Bands will take place on Friday, October 2 behind the Lankford Student Union. The show will start at 5 p.m. after Color Wars, with bands starting every half-hour and playing twenty-minute sets. There are thirteen bands total.
Matt Tewksbury, coordinator for this year's Battle, said there's going to be a "grab bag" of local bands playing the show this year, and he couldn't be more right.
Thine Heart is a Christian alternative duo that consists of Shiloh Wilbanks (vocals and guitar) and Christian Boles (second guitar). Their sound is very similar to The Spill Canvas or Brand New, and they claim that their main influences are artists such as Relient K and Michael Bublé.
One Ambition is also a Christian band, but it has a harder sound than Thine Heart. They are mostly influenced by 3 Doors Down, Coheed and Cambria, and Pink Floyd.
Go Indigo has a sound similar to Thine Heart. They are a well-progressed group, already having an EP in the making and merchandise available. The members include Joel Simpson (percussion/vocals), Kelsey Butterfield (keys/vocals), and Scott Racette (violin).
Dream Atlantic is a "screamo" band that has been playing since August 2008. They sound a lot like Underoath and Poison The Well. Their members consist of Anthony Williams (vocals), Matthew Seay on (guitar/vocals), Brandon Willard (bass), Jesse Huckins (vocals/guitar), and Dan Uphoff (drums). Another band playing at Battle, I Am The Kid, has a very similar sound to Dream Atlantic.
Other bands that will be playing at this year's Battle include Arch Stanton, Juice Mouse, Jackie Stem, Sonic Skandal, Hell City Sinners and Black Raptor Hoedown.
This is a very open competition. Any local band, regardless of the genre, is encouraged to take part. You're allowed to play anything you want, and it's open to every Longwood student. If you are a local band interested in playing, at least one of your members has to be a student, since it is a school-sponsored activity.
The first and second place winners of Battle of the Bands will be awarded prizes. The first place winner will be awarded $500 and the honor of opening for whoever plays Bandfest during Spring Weekend. Bandfest has featured artists such as Against Me!, Yellowcard, Saul Williams, and Andrew WK, so it's quite an opportunity to open for this event. The second place winner will receive $250.
WMLU's Battle of the Bands is sure to be a great show this year with an excellent variety of local bands. Remember: Friday, October 2, 5 p.m., behind the Student Union, and it's free!
