Stage Presence. Material. Skill. These are the categories WVOF is using to decide which Fairfield University based band – Reviving Samurai, Essex, Arriving Sun, Johnnie Proud, Madison Prep, This Blue Holiday, White Noise or Roamer – will ultimately win the Battle of the Bands.
Held at 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Angus Steakhouse, the event kicked off on April 1 and will feature three more sets until the final competition, which will take place on May 6.
Last week’s duel began at 9:30 p.m., with Reviving Samurai, a band formed by Andres Moraes ’07, taking the floor and playing a 45-minute set for the audience which included the panel of WVOF judges.
The band received scores of seven (out of ten) across the board. Reviving Samurai, which also includes bassist Alexis Babini and Luke Catamdella, entertained the crowd with a set consisting of mostly funk and blues-inspired songs, as well as an energetic interpretation of the Ghostbusters theme. They focused on longer instrumental tracks, such as what Moraes described as the “Pickle-flavored Jam.”
Clad in self-described vintage Airwalks, Teig Lynster ’05 came on with his band after a short break, opening with their original song, “Whenever I Fall”. The band, which also featured Tim O’Connor ’05, Mike Mendez, John Scardino, and Mark Montaruli ’07, generated a more laid-back vibe, playing music they summarized as somewhere between John Mayer and Sonic Youth.
After playing well-received numbers such as “Tell Me” and “Walk on Water,” they received an eight in each category. Their win was ensured through the audience’s enthusiastic feedback, the final component figured into the score.
On May 6, WVOF will declare the winner of the Battle of the Bands and award them their grand prizes: a paid engagement at Angus Steakhouse, a dinner for 10, and a drink named after the band.
The next show, starring Johnnie Proud and Arriving Sun, will take place on Thursday, April 15, at 9:30 p.m. Madison Prep and This Blue Holiday will play on April 22, and White Noise and Roamer have been scheduled for April 29.
There is no cover for the shows, and Angus Steakhouse offers food and drink specials during the performances.
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