Battle of the Bands

By Sarah McDonough
Cardinal Staff

Wrapping up this year’s Winter Week at Saint Mary’s University will be the ninth annual Battle of the Bands on Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Common Room.

Bands playing genres ranging from dance duo to rock will each have 20 minutes to impress judges in their chance to win monetary prizes ranging from $100 to $500. At least one member from the five bands that are performing must be a current student of SMU.

There are a few noticeable changes in this year’s show. To compensate for the lack of space the Common Room has compared to the Page Theatre, where Battle of the Bands was previously held, it was decided that a standing-room-only style would be best, said judge and coordinator Lance Thompson. This means that there will be no chairs or tables for people to sit on while enjoying the show.

This is also the first year that bands are allowed to have three of their four allotted songs be originals, but there must also be at least one cover song.

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“This gives more students the ability to express themselves,” coordinator Luke Gonnella said.

Through the years, there have been many memorable show antics.

One such memory for sophomore Brittany Kubik was of Koo Koo Kanga Roo climbing through audience members’ seats for a stuffed animal in the back of the Page Theatre.

“I’ll never forget them climbing over my head,” said Kubik.

Jared Jacobs and Brandon Scherer from Second Page (SMU Improv group) will be the MC’s for the night.

Check out the Cardinal blog for more updates and pictures of the bands.


Preview to the Performers


Open Mike Night
Members: Mike Miller, Mike McCoy, Mike Fye and Jeremy Johnston
Who they are: This four-man band has a sound that is unique, and don’t forget Miller’s vocals!
Fun Fact: At auditions it was only their second time playing together as a group.

Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Members: Byran Atchison and SMU Alum ’08 Neil Olstad
Who they are: This zany duo knows how to get the crowd engaged in their songs and are hilarious while doing so.
Bet you didn’t know: The meaning behind their band name is an interesting one to say the least. While watching the “Alphabet Jungle” episode of Sesame Street on VHS, the letter K was hanging on vines yelling “KOO KOO KANGA ROO!” Since viewing the episode, the name has stuck.

Rogue the Wolf
Members: Neil McColl, Malachi Nelson, Bradley Rysdal and Tim Boysen
Who they are: Political guys at heart. “We didn’t like Bush,” said McColl
Promises: From McColl singing into his guitar to guaranteeing they will not break anything on stage, it will be a good show.

Dow Jones and the Industrials
Members: Joe Mazzuca, Ryan Bjelland, Rob Sassetti and Richard Mazzetti
Who they are: This all-sophomore band will have the usual antics of jumping off amps provided by Mazzuca and the overall fun atmosphere singer and guitarist Bjelland brings on stage.
Fun Fact: All members reside in different states, one being as far away as New Jersey!

Lo-Fi High Five
Members: Luke Gonnella and Tommy Quinn
Who they are: These roommates are proud that they are a concept band. All of their energetic songs are about personal situations.
Best line in a song: “No means no, let go my eggo.”