The fourth annual University of Arkansas-Monticello Battle of the Bands was held Oct. 19 in the Fine Arts Center. Sponsored by the Debate Society, this was a record breaking event compared the past Battle of the Bands with an audience of 330 and a total income of $1,857.29. I attended this event, not only because I needed an article to write for the Voice, but because I heard there was going to be some good bands playing. So, I made the trip back to Monticello after going back home to Warren just to hear these people and hope that I wouldn’t be disappointed.

   It got started a little late, but when does anything ever start on time these days? Besides, they were  providing us with music from the Now 22 CD, which made everyone laugh because people were dancing and lip synching down on the floor. The host of the show started everything by introducing a band from Crossett by the name of Age of Illussion. He said that they were a mix of Chevelle, AC/DC and Johnny Cash. They were a metal band; a little too metal for my taste. I’m not one for having someone sound like they were possessed by demons. The bass did not seem to change at all throughout the three songs that they played. Not many people liked this band. Whenever the lead singer would ‘scream’, everyone around me would wince. Hardly anyone listened to the band; they just talked about how crazy the music was. After they were through, I thought about it their music style. I could hear the Chevelle, some of the AC/DC, but Johnny Cash? If I could understand what the guy was saying, perhaps he was singing some of the Man in Black’s songs, but I couldn’t hear it. Maybe they’re liked in Crossett, but I did not like them.

   While the second band was setting up, we got to listen to a young woman by the name of Jennifer Walters sing a song by Kelly Clarkson. It was a nice relief on the ears after all of that hardcore stuff that the Age of Illussion brought.

   The second band was named Undecided. Maybe they couldn’t agree on the name and just went along with that to keep from arguing? They won Battle of the Bands a few years before and reunited just for this event. Though, someone was saying that one of the guitarists was the son of a professor around here, I knew that a few of these guys were from Warren, so I listened in more closely. Their music was much better than the first, but the lead singer’s voice did mess up a few times. I guess not many noticed, or I was just paying too much attention. The crowd clapped and cheered louder than they did for the first band. After it was all over, a friend of mine went back stage to congratulate a few of them for doing such a good job. One of the guitarists, Matt Farmer, pulled his arm out of socket during the performance. He must’ve been really playing hard to do that and hopefully by now, it’s all better.

   Another little break was in between that one, but this time we listened to Kirby Allen sing. She has a lovely voice and so does her sister Karen. I never can tell them apart to congratulate which ever one hit a good note. But, of course, I can never remember people’s faces and names very well, especially if they’re twins.

   Strike the Choir, a band from Monticello, was up next and people leapt up from their seats to go and stand as close to the stage as the security would allow them. They seemed to be more of a crowd favorite than any of the other bands because people had signs that said “We Heart Strike the Choir.” They were one of the best out of the whole night. I’m not one for screamo, but the beat of their songs and the energy was great. I was surprised that such a powerful voice could come out of the lead singer because he looked so slender. The back up vocals and the electronical sound was great also. I almost bought one of their T-shirts or CDs, but then I realized that I was broke college student.

   After hearing Randa Pruitt sing a song a cappella and an intermission, the next band was Mourning View. They had strong music, but they either needed a better mic or to lower the volume on the guitars because I couldn’t hear the words of the singer at all. All in all, they had a good beat and the second and third songs were better than the first, but they need to save up to get a mic that will let the people hear the lyrics. A good beat in a song can only go so far without understanding what’s being said. While they’re gathering up money, maybe they can buy the bass guy another shoe. He was only wearing one for some odd reason that I could never figure out. Maybe it was a good luck thing?

   Word of Mouth was next. They had a good clean sound. Everything was smooth and the singer could, well, sing. The words were very crisp and the drums and guitars could be heard individually, which, in my opinion makes a band all that better. About three or four people I was sitting with recognized the drummer, I guess he’s taking a lot of classes, but he did a good job, so did the other two guys. Their band was great for having just three instruments.

   The final group had a handful of people that I knew by name, but the band was called It’s Not About. Tercero Munzo explained why the band was named that. Because when you’re in a band it’s not about the drugs and all of that usually associated with rock music, it’s about the music itself. They were a fantastic finale. Tons of energy and the crowd that was standing up close to the stage talked about how they wanted to mosh, but at the very beginning of the event, everyone was specifically told that they couldn’t, much to the dismay of some people. One of the guitarists was a little crazy looking, all painted up with body paint and his hair sticking up wildly. I asked what was going on with him and the people who knew him just shrugged and said he was just like that. I didn’t pay him any attention after that, enjoying the last few songs of the night, but then he jumped off the stage into the pulpit after the ending bars of the last song.

The winner of the Battle of the Bands was the group Word of Mouth, probably for their great sound. The People’s Choice winner was the band Undecided. There were many reasons I heard people vote for them, one was because they all had such great hair, but I doubt that everyone put their ticket in their box just for that. It was a great night. Hopefully more people will come next year to see the bands and raise more money for the Debate Society. And I’ll probably be there too because this one was so much fun.