University of Canberra Battleof the Band's @ University ofCanberra, Canberra, (18/02/09)

Thu 19th Feb, 2009 in Gig Reviews

It’s that time of the year again for the University of Canberra Battle of the Bands, held during annual O Week festivities. STARFISH HILL takes out top honours in 2009.

With the opportunity for first-place getters to win a midday slot at the Corinbank Festival’s main stage, a Bootleg headline slot thanks to FasterLouder and a feature in BMA, this was a perfect chance for Canberra’s independent bands to have a crack and get noticed.

First cab off the rank was four-piece Danse Macabre. Kicking off with bass heavy number I Don’t Need the Blues, frontman Damien plays lead guitarist David’s guitar in a bear-hug-like fashion. Song Beggars and Whores saw Damien get a little more animated and most the making of the stage. A few gut growls later he grabs an innocent by-stander from the crowd, twirling her around in front of the stage. Danse Macabre have just released their EP Chess Pieces for the Colourblind.

The bands only have 20 minutes each to impress the judges – Dave Butler from BMA, Mark Bradley program manager of the Corinbank Festival and FasterLouder Canberra’s very own editor (drum roll please) Karen Radford! Each act is judged on their pack up and pack down time, originality, crowd interaction, quality of performance and presentation.

The only two gals in the competition appeared in the five-piece Gods of Love with both Holly and Imogen (also on keyboards) on vocals. Opening with Sound of Insanity, the heavy rock/psychedelic outfit brought something different to the stage with their sweet yet rocking harmonies. Imogen tells the crowd “Hope you got pissed last night and every day of the week!” before getting into the mellow synthy sounds of For You and SDFD (Sex Drugs Fantasy Dreams). The group later tells MC Monkey Strauss they were put in a group during a music industry class and have been together since. That would explain the five different individuals on the stage, but together Gods of Love are one group to keep an ear out for. Unfortunately for most of their performance Holly’s soft vocals were drowned out by their sound, possibly a technical/volume problem or because of the open air stage.

It’s almost midday and the sun’s decided to make an appearance. The crowd numbers have picked up and with live music and a sausage sizzle on offer why would you be anywhere else?

Black-clad trio Dark Nemesis was next on stage. As the MC read out their bio, I couldn’t help but overhear someone in the crowd say “Why do they all have to have dark names?” I found it difficult to imagine the death metal group playing at the serene Corin Forest mountain park but hey easy-listening wasn’t on Dark Nemesis’ agenda. Frontman and guitarist Camilo effortlessly switches from death metal growls to melodic vocals through their three songs including Armageddon. Up-tempo drumming, epic guitar solos and of course head banging were all on show, but unfortunately Dark Nemesis were just playing to the wrong crowd.

At 12.30 pm there’s more people around probably due to the break in class (yes some poor buggers have to attend “intensive” courses before the official uni semester begins), but not even the bribe of free CD’s, shirts and stubby holders (thanks to the FasterLouder goodie box) was good enough to get the crowd off their bums!

As expected, when The Trivs took to the stage the crowd was all ears. Being the better known of the bands. these guys seemed to fill the UC concourse with a fuller sound. Not only do they sound good but they also look good! The foursome played three songs one after the other, but unlike the other bands before them, they didn’t introduce their songs and along with minimal crowd interaction I was left a little disappointed.

For four-piece punk-rockers Sunnyvale High the comp was their first ever gig. dressed in white shirts with their very own coat of arms on the back, they played three songs including Painted String in an energetic set with even the drummer on backing err gut growls. Frontman Andy’s vocals were hard to hear with the man himself later admitting that he couldn’t even hear himself sing. MC Monkey tells the crowd “When I think of Sunnyvale High I think of the goon – what is it a metaphor for?” The guys reply with “Feeling good!”

Eventual winner Starfish Hill were lucky last on the stage. Opening with Soul they were cheered on by a handful of dancers joining them up front. Sound-wise these guys played loud and clear. Playing rock/pop tracks Out There and Break me out, frontman Tim (who also fronts The Magic Hands) has a voice that just makes you listen. Performing only since 2008 Starfish Hill have already won last year’s Upstep comp, now the four-piece can now add ACT Finalist of the National Campus Band Competition to their resume.

Winner – Starfish Hill
2nd Place – The Trivs
3rd Place – Danse Macabre