Bands battle it out for top honors
story and photos by Sara DeBold, posted April 10, 2008
Friday night, April 4, Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union on the MU campus was transformed from a lifeless conference room into a rock concert venue complete with lights, smoke machines and airbrush tattoos. Patrons could make their own music video and compete in a guitar hero tournament. The change in ambiance was for the MU Battle of the Bands, sponsored by Mizzou After Dark and the MSA/GPC College Music Committee. The event was free to students and $5 to the public.
Wayfare won top honors at the Battle of the Bands competition April 4 at the Memorial Union.
The focus of the event was on the five bands competing to win cash. The $500 first-place prize went to Wayfare. The band Let Lions received second place, worth $300. The $200 third-place prize went to Boston Gary.
The audience was scattered on the floor and on chairs. When Wayfare took to the smoke-filled stage, most of the spectators were on their feet if not tapping them and maintaining a beat with their bobbing heads.
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Trumpet player Huston Perry, of the band Wayfare, infused the crowd with energy and enthusiasm. |
Before beginning the first song, lead singer Stephen Finger commented, “I wrote this song for a girl, and that’s all I have to say about that.” What followed was an Eddie Vedder-like tone of music that seemed to pleasantly surprise the audience.
The crowd seemed to be in awe of the multiple musical talents that Wayfare demonstrated. Huston Perry, on trumpet, injected a great deal of enthusiasm into the crowd along with his entertaining dance moves. The band uses a variety of instruments, which sets them apart from many modern rock bands. Other instruments such as the ukulele and accordion were used during their performance. Isaac Foley was on bass, Zach Johnson sang back-up vocals and played the mandolin, and the drums and accordion were played by Justin Craig.
“It [the event] was well put together,” Craig said. “The sound system was very good especially for a student-run operation.”
Jeff Herman, an electrical engineering student, was a sound technician during the show. He was hired the Wednesday before the show, and it was his first time running the particular equipment used during the performance.
“It was fun,” Herman said. “I’m impressed with the variety of music I got to hear.”
Herman was also pleased to hear the bands were most impressed with the sound that evening.
