It was hard to believe that this was the first time they played together. The lead guitarist said their sound was similar to Santana in the jam rock genre. Judging from the applause, the audience seemed to enjoy jam rock, though not as much as free pizza.
Welcome to the fall 2006 version of Fairfield’s Battle of the Bands – a competition between local bands playing their own instruments that took place at “The Levee” this Saturday.
The little bar was full long before the opening jam band, Alcopolco Gold, began the contest. All of the tables taken and those who came in late had to stand. One of the bartenders, Mike Putnam, said that this was a “special night” and that they had a lot more people than usual – about 60 at one count – because of the Battle of the Bands.
Alcopolco Gold seemed to fit most expectations. It started off with non-mellow but strangely pleasant and harmonious sounds; the words having flown into music a good time after, and then disappearing as quickly as they came.
The next contestant, Mike Falzone – his acoustic guitar hanging on a yellow police line over his shoulder – brought in a different kind of rhythm, his guitar playing soft and slow, making the audience clap their hands like responding to an old familiar song.
“Indie acoustic funk,” as Falzone defined what he had been playing, seemed to be very good for people’s digestion. By the time Falzone finished, almost everyone was munching on pizza and enjoying the music.
The third band, Logan Groovers, got lucky ; while they were entangling the floor with wires and cables and spreading the bright-colored rug they brought with them the free pizza had run out. Without any food to chew, the audience turned their full attention to the Logan Groovers.
Initially, their music was a strange fusion of various styles combining all three of the guitarists, changing numerous times during the time they played and sang. The audience’s reaction was more than positive to this “blend of flavors” as the members of the band described it.
They were followed by a band called Sour Diesel. With furious guitar riffs and a lot of shouting and growling there was no place left for pizza thoughts. The Sour Diesel ended their performance playing Metallica to the loud cheers from big fans of this genre.
The leading guitarist, who came from New York to play at the Battle of the Bands, said he defined their music as “heavy rock”, something between heavy metal and hard rock.”
Self-proclaimed psychedelic acoustic-guitarist Nick “North” Shifrin and the last band called Wood Havenheavies got the best audience – people who were there to listen to what they had to sing and play.
The winners: Logan Groovers, who received first place and a gift certificate for $150 to the Guitar Center. Soar Diesel earned second and Wood Havenheavies took away third place.
Jon Vecotta, director of concerts for FUSA and one of the jury members, said that in judging they took into consideration talent, originality and structure of the songs. He also added that this is the first Battle of the Bands this year, but there may be more more coming up.
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