JONATHAN YOUNG/Daily Bruin Girish Varma and
Beau Bothwell of Alan Smithee perform during the
Battle of the Bands held at Ackerman on Friday.
By David Chang
Daily Bruin contributor
[email protected]
Somewhere between the screeching hot mics and the screaming fat
guy, Battle of the Bands 2002 actually took place on Friday night
at the awkwardly spacious Ackerman Grand Ballroom.
Perhaps a smaller venue should have been chosen in order to
round up the lazy cattle herd. A compact atmosphere would encourage
unabashed stomping and discourage floor lounging.
Alas, the rousing performances played second banana to the free
CDs, posters, T-shirts, and condoms. Audience members had their
sights set on the exit doors by the time rap/rock outfit Abstract
Original was announced top dog.
Abstract Original, which included members from USC, ventured
into enemy territory and schooled the competition. The judges were
clearly wowed by the group’s ability to move the crowd.
Rapper Dizzy’s twisted chants of “crack your
necks” and “bounce your head” sent
everyone’s brains spinning inside their skulls. Bassist Danit
Levy’s mystery girl persona and smooth grooves contrasted
perfectly to guitarist Gaddi Altman’s party animal shtick and
maddening riffs.
UCLA bands Stereotype and Alan Smithee settled for second and
third respectively. The former band featured a cast of distinct
characters. Mop-top guitarist Danny Flores is not from the Strokes,
but his performance is similarly entrancing. Melanie Nyema played
soul-singing diva, but her voice could be more creatively utilized.
The duo of Vince Cruz and Nick Nyema bears a resemblance to Public
Enemy’s Chuck D and Flavor Flav due to one’s serious
attitude and the other’s insane mannerisms.
Meanwhile, Alan Smithee, who opened to self-installed stadium
applause, impressed the judges with a powerful and technically
sound performance to land third place. Unlike the two hip-hop acts,
the pop rockers hardly livened up the crowd. Some even balked at
the band’s soft and unadventurous music.
The night also saw Banner Day’s Brad Lindsay not only
play, but also toy with his guitar; using the instrument every
which way but the right way. The Action Cats gave a buzz-saw
performance, jamming rapid-fire songs down the audience
members’ throats. Lead vocalist/guitarist Sox has a voice
that can awaken a crowd just as easily as it puts it to sleep.
The nadir of the contest was 21 Rest’s lackluster and
cringe-inducing showing that made everyone pray for technical
difficulties or a fat guy yelling “you suck!”