Maya McFadden Photo
Robert Nerone of Hard March.
Nine bands “cut loose and rocked out” Monday night at the Amity Teen Center’s (ATC) 25th Annual Battle of the Bands at the College Street Music Hall.
This was the third year the battle was hosted at the College Street venue. In the past, the event was hosted at Toad’s Place.
Every year ATC narrows down the final battle to nine or ten bands.
The money gathered from ticket sales will be used to support ATC’s summer program, Life After High School.
This year’s champions Spray Bottle Fever, an electronic rap-rock punk band from Willimantic, played their way into the six judges’ musical hearts. This was the band’s first year in the battle, and it received 10 more points than the second-place winners.
The grand prize package for the band was a $100 gift card to the Sam Ash Music Store, six hours of recording time at TalentCraft Studio, a professional photoshoot with Snap Decisions Photography, an opening performance opportunity at Space Ballroom, and four tickets to any upcoming performance at the music hall.
The nine competing bands were winners of ATC’s five-round preliminary battle in October. The qualifying bands were chosen out of 42 performance groups. One band dropped out of the final battle in advance.
All of the bands are Connecticut-based except for one that is from Boston. Musical genres ranged from country to heavy metal rock music.
Jennifer DiBlanda, ATC’s executive director, has helped host the event for 13 years now.
“What sets our battle apart from others around the state is that we challenge the bands to get comfortable and confident with their original work,” DiBlanda said. The bands were only allowed to perform up to two song covers during their set.
The six judges for the competition included State Sen. George Logan, Miss Connecticut 2019 Jillian Duffy, and Jef Wilson from Talentcraft.
Joe Lemieux and Connor Simpson of Spray Bottle Fever.
“We love you,” yelled one audience member to Spray Bottle Fever members Joe Lemieux and Connor Simpson.
“Love you forever,” replied Lemieux.
The Amity Leo’s Club and ATC staff volunteered at the event to sell tickets and snacks.
As the judges tallied the final scores, a celebrity band made up of three of the judges performed a set. (Logan fronts a Jimi Hendrix tribute band in addition to his work and legislative duties.) Their Monday night performance was the band’s first time practicing together.
Mike McAllister, Brad Steward, and Em Betts of Say Love.
The second-place winners, Hard March, received a $75 gift card to Sam Ash. For the $50 gift card third-place prize, there was a tie between Audio Contraband and Static Nerves. All other bands received a $25 gift card for Sam Ash.
Robert Nerone, 17. is the lead guitarist for Hard March. He said he came ready to rock College Street Music Hall.
Hard March also performed last year as a qualifying group for the battle of the bands. The band got together in 2018 and has performed dozens of small-scale shows since its start with a few being at Toads place.
“It felt good to feed off the crowds energy. That’s why I love playing live,” Nerone said.
Matt Polak, Stevie Dicostanzo, Bobby Hill, and Robert Nerone.
Many of the bands were made up of youth or beginning musicians.
“We love that we can offer them a large venue to showcase their talent,” DiBlanda said.
Nearly 300 tickets were sold for the show.