CONCERT REVIEW:
WCRD Battle Bash 2005
I spent five hours Saturday night as one of four judges for the WCRD Battle Bash. And let me tell you all, it was worth the time, to hear some of the best music this region has to offer. The competition was fierce, and I came out of it all with a lot of column-fodder. Be prepared. You're going to be hearing more about some of these bands later!
A Failed Escape (www.afailedescape.com)
Hailing from Twelve Mile, Ind., just west of Logansport, A Failed Escape may be the most original band I've seen since coming to Ball State. Their stage show is something you have to witness. They won the battle bash by 19 points, thanks to a performance that combined the musical rantings of escaped mental patients with the most bizarre physical spectacle to ever grace the Tally's stage. That aside, I was concerned their music wouldn't hold up without the live antics, but that was unfounded. One of their best live songs, "Cheapshot Artist (Disco)", sounds even more effective on their demo recording, emphasising just how clever their ability is to parody two genres at once (blending punk with disco). The rest of their demo disc, which paves the way for their forthcoming album Impotent Donkey, has something for everyone, whether you're a fan of country, punk or anything else. Above all else, these demos prove that there's room in the music world for a band with talent and originality.
Zoospore (www.myspace.com/zoospore)
Chicago's Zoospore was my favorite to win it all before I heard A Failed Escape. Their ability to play everything from post-grunge to all-out rock had me comparing them to Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and REM. Everything that made them a successful live band comes through on their demo disc, including songs like "Falling", which was one of my favorites on both their demo and their live performance. It reminded me of Vs. era Pearl Jam mixed with elements of what made the Stone Temple Pilots great. They may not be the most original band on the planet, but Zoospore's ability to draw from a large group of influences and yet create music that sounds new is something that is going to serve them well. And on their track "Rewrite", which may be their true signature track, shows that talent coming through in spades. I can't wait to see this band come back to Muncie for another round.
Insomnia (http://ajbeam.iweb.bsu.edu)
Muncie's own Insomnia may have taken home second place in the battle on Saturday, but they got the best complement I heard from any of the judges early in the night. One of the judges commented before they started that he had heard the band quote "sucked". They had only been playing for two or three minutes when he turned to the guy next to him and said he'd been completely incorrect. The fact is, if Insomnia "sucks" then I need to stop listening to music completely. This group had it all going for them musically on songs like "My World" and "Chaser", which show their ability to craft solid songs with great hooks. And when it came to performing live Saturday night, they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. I wasn't able to get a copy of their CD, so I don't know if the group has a full album or just a series of demos, but if they don't have a full album they need one. Call them the best band in Muncie you've probably never heard.
I spent five hours Saturday night as one of four judges for the WCRD Battle Bash. And let me tell you all, it was worth the time, to hear some of the best music this region has to offer. The competition was fierce, and I came out of it all with a lot of column-fodder. Be prepared. You're going to be hearing more about some of these bands later!
A Failed Escape (www.afailedescape.com)
Hailing from Twelve Mile, Ind., just west of Logansport, A Failed Escape may be the most original band I've seen since coming to Ball State. Their stage show is something you have to witness. They won the battle bash by 19 points, thanks to a performance that combined the musical rantings of escaped mental patients with the most bizarre physical spectacle to ever grace the Tally's stage. That aside, I was concerned their music wouldn't hold up without the live antics, but that was unfounded. One of their best live songs, "Cheapshot Artist (Disco)", sounds even more effective on their demo recording, emphasising just how clever their ability is to parody two genres at once (blending punk with disco). The rest of their demo disc, which paves the way for their forthcoming album Impotent Donkey, has something for everyone, whether you're a fan of country, punk or anything else. Above all else, these demos prove that there's room in the music world for a band with talent and originality.
Zoospore (www.myspace.com/zoospore)
Chicago's Zoospore was my favorite to win it all before I heard A Failed Escape. Their ability to play everything from post-grunge to all-out rock had me comparing them to Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and REM. Everything that made them a successful live band comes through on their demo disc, including songs like "Falling", which was one of my favorites on both their demo and their live performance. It reminded me of Vs. era Pearl Jam mixed with elements of what made the Stone Temple Pilots great. They may not be the most original band on the planet, but Zoospore's ability to draw from a large group of influences and yet create music that sounds new is something that is going to serve them well. And on their track "Rewrite", which may be their true signature track, shows that talent coming through in spades. I can't wait to see this band come back to Muncie for another round.
Insomnia (http://ajbeam.iweb.bsu.edu)
Muncie's own Insomnia may have taken home second place in the battle on Saturday, but they got the best complement I heard from any of the judges early in the night. One of the judges commented before they started that he had heard the band quote "sucked". They had only been playing for two or three minutes when he turned to the guy next to him and said he'd been completely incorrect. The fact is, if Insomnia "sucks" then I need to stop listening to music completely. This group had it all going for them musically on songs like "My World" and "Chaser", which show their ability to craft solid songs with great hooks. And when it came to performing live Saturday night, they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. I wasn't able to get a copy of their CD, so I don't know if the group has a full album or just a series of demos, but if they don't have a full album they need one. Call them the best band in Muncie you've probably never heard.
A Failed Escape (www.afailedescape.com)
Hailing from Twelve Mile, Ind., just west of Logansport, A Failed Escape may be the most original band I've seen since coming to Ball State. Their stage show is something you have to witness. They won the battle bash by 19 points, thanks to a performance that combined the musical rantings of escaped mental patients with the most bizarre physical spectacle to ever grace the Tally's stage. That aside, I was concerned their music wouldn't hold up without the live antics, but that was unfounded. One of their best live songs, "Cheapshot Artist (Disco)", sounds even more effective on their demo recording, emphasising just how clever their ability is to parody two genres at once (blending punk with disco). The rest of their demo disc, which paves the way for their forthcoming album Impotent Donkey, has something for everyone, whether you're a fan of country, punk or anything else. Above all else, these demos prove that there's room in the music world for a band with talent and originality.
Zoospore (www.myspace.com/zoospore)
Chicago's Zoospore was my favorite to win it all before I heard A Failed Escape. Their ability to play everything from post-grunge to all-out rock had me comparing them to Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and REM. Everything that made them a successful live band comes through on their demo disc, including songs like "Falling", which was one of my favorites on both their demo and their live performance. It reminded me of Vs. era Pearl Jam mixed with elements of what made the Stone Temple Pilots great. They may not be the most original band on the planet, but Zoospore's ability to draw from a large group of influences and yet create music that sounds new is something that is going to serve them well. And on their track "Rewrite", which may be their true signature track, shows that talent coming through in spades. I can't wait to see this band come back to Muncie for another round.
Insomnia (http://ajbeam.iweb.bsu.edu)
Muncie's own Insomnia may have taken home second place in the battle on Saturday, but they got the best complement I heard from any of the judges early in the night. One of the judges commented before they started that he had heard the band quote "sucked". They had only been playing for two or three minutes when he turned to the guy next to him and said he'd been completely incorrect. The fact is, if Insomnia "sucks" then I need to stop listening to music completely. This group had it all going for them musically on songs like "My World" and "Chaser", which show their ability to craft solid songs with great hooks. And when it came to performing live Saturday night, they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. I wasn't able to get a copy of their CD, so I don't know if the group has a full album or just a series of demos, but if they don't have a full album they need one. Call them the best band in Muncie you've probably never heard.
posted by Jonathan Sanders @ 7:40 AM
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