"I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day." At some point, most music fans feel the need to embrace these immortal words from KISS. If you're one of these fans, you're in luck because you can rock, roll and party all day at PK German's first annual Battle of the Bands, shattering eardrums at the Student Activities Building this weekend. The musical extravaganza begins at 3 p.m. and only features bands that have at least one U.Va. student.
Twenty-five groups auditioned, and eight have emerged as the most rock-worthy. Maplewood, Believing Impossible Things, Hobson's Choice, Chance Element, Fountainhead, Solitude, Sparky's Flaw and Races to April will duke it out for the ultimate prize -- an opening spot at Springfest. Each band has a distinct sound and a unique way of connecting with the audience; the SAB should be overflowing with this sampler of musical genius.
Maplewood
The first act, Maplewood (formerly known as The Charlie Stallings Experience), will take the Battle stage for the first time as a band.
"We've never played live, but we're happy to go first," third-year College student and vocalist Nelson Hunt said.
Maplewood formed last semester and plans to strike a chord with its jazzy, alternative pop.
"We all like different music styles," third-year College student Mark Miller said. "The fact that we're different is good because it makes for a unique kind of music that more people can relate to."
The band members cited influences as varied as DC Talk and Fall Out Boy.
Maplewood doesn't have a website yet, but make sure to get to the Battle in time to catch its live debut.
Hobson's Choice
The boys of Hobson's Choice bleed blue and orange; they practice in a frat basement and have performed on Grounds for several years.
"We've played frats, bars, the Fourth Year Picnic and Dance Marathon," fourth-year College student Evan Smith said. "We love playing around Grounds."
Hobson's Choice is a loving group. "I don't know if we have one song that's not about girls," fourth-year College student and guitarist Andrew Leahey laughed.
Hobson's Choice has a "rock pop, but not pop rock" sound. "We do not play emo," Leahey added.
Harmonica and feel-good melodies will help Hobson's Choice stand out at the show.
If you can't wait until Saturday, check out their website at www.people.virginia.edu/~ebs6s.
"We're all for sharing MP3s," fourth-year College student and bassist Matt Cook said. "We don't care -- Limewire the hell out of them."
Chance Element
The next band, Chance Element, doesn't leave anything to chance in its music. Brothers Mike and John McMahon call their style "American Brit-rock with a darker edge," and describe the music-writing process as "condensing intensity." The age of Chance Element's four members spans almost 20 years, but they are a tightly knit group that values precision and passion.
"We have a great connection," John said. "When the right people and right personalities come together, it creates an intense musical situation."
Chance Element has been recording in Crystalphonic Studios since September 2004. Mike described the process as an isolating experience that forced the band to strengthen its focus.
"You just fall into what you're doing... it really kicks your ass," he said.
The band members said they look forward to taking their music onstage.
"Recording is great, but the crowd makes the job exciting," John said. Their dedication to making music is Chance Element's standout quality.
"We love music, and it's what we want to do for the rest of our lives," Mike said.
Chance Element plans to spend the next few years on the road.
"We want people to know that this is the beginning," the McMahon brothers said. "We want to leave them wanting more."
The band's unofficial motto is "do it right or don't do it at all," so if you think you can handle a little more passion in your pop, visit www.chance-element.com.
Fountainhead
With an album named "Hyperdelic Tamnesia," Fountainhead will provide a distinctive live atmosphere that is trippier than the other Battle bands.
The members create their own cover art, posters, T-shirts and bring colorful lamps and lights to each show.
"We want to take you on a ride," said Jack Carrig, who is a guitarist, vocalist and "bell and whistle player."
Whereas most rock bands record instruments individually, Fountainhead plays together at the same time, lending a live, spontaneous feel to its albums. The band members describe their music as "a flowing blend of modern jam rock," and joke that just one of their songs could easily fill the bands' allotted 20 minutes. The band has a psychedelic, Moody Blues feel and can refer to The Grateful Dead and The Flaming Lips in the same sentence without blushing. These kids have been playing together long enough to have a band handshake, and their comfort with each other onstage should make for a relaxed and open atmosphere. If you want a preview of this jam band, go to www.fountainheadfan.com.
Solitude
Solitude, a Christian rock band, certainly fills the Battle's diversity quota. Lead singer and second-year College student Calie Broussard described Solitude's music as "the softer side of Evanescence... We're extremely versatile, so it varies from song to song."
Although Solitude has rocked out in coffee shops and churches all over Virginia, the band members are stoked to play at a large-scale show.
"We're used to playing in places where there's not a lot of space," Broussard said. "We're so excited about this show because it's going to be loud, exciting and give us a chance to really own the stage."
The inspiration for their music extends far beyond their faith.
"When we write a song, we don't really look to one specific place," Broussard said. "There's one song I wrote about [lead guitarist] Jon and the changes he's been through, and then there's another song I wrote because I was bored and told myself that I wanted to fly away."
Solitude's involvement in music can be attributed to its members' immense passion.
"We do all of our own recording and engineering," Broussard said. "In a way, it's nice to do it yourself because then there's no liaison between you and your music."
Solitude members hope that the Battle of the Bands will help them get their name out and allow them to share their talents.
"We're so excited to play because most people have no clue who we are," Broussard said.
Solitude also offered advice for Battle-goers.
"Everyone be prepared to rock and have a great time at the show," the band members said.
If the spirit moves you, check out Solitude online at www.solitudemusic.com.
Races to April
The final band to perform, Races to April, regularly plays local venues and has a loyal Charlottesville fan base.
Robin Smith (lead vocals and backing guitar) and fourth-year College student Schuyler van Montfrans (lead guitar and backing vocals) met the other members of Races to April when they needed a jazz drummer for a class presentation in high school. Nathan Madden was recommended by his band teacher, and, with the later addition of Brandon Emerson, Races to April was born.
A jazzy beginning doesn't lead to a jazzy end, however, as Races to April will offer "guitar-driven songs with pop accessibility." Van Montfrans says it simply: "It's really just rock and roll to me."
Races to April will embark on an East Coast tour this Spring Break. The band will be on the road for 10 days, playing Long Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Boston and D.C.
Whether you care about the Battle winner or not, make sure you stick around to hear Races to April because the boys in this band are some of the friendliest, most approachable musicians you can find.
So, unless you have tickets for the KISS Reunion Tour, or even if you do, there's no excuse for missing the Battle of the Bands.
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