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¶Posted by Team Rock 9:40 PM

 

Bands battle in Abingdon

Taken from The Loafer

Seven young bands from Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee will compete for cash prizes on Saturday, Aug. 9, in Abingdon.

Battle of the Bands, set for 6 to 10 p.m. at West Main Street Park (across from the post office), will feature teen bands from Bristol, Tenn., and from the Virginia towns of Dublin, Gate City, Grundy, Lebanon, Marion and Pulaski. Many of the bands scheduled to compete are composing their own material, and some have released projects. Band merchandise, including CDs and t-shirts, may be available for sale.

The event is sponsored by the Virginia Highlands Festival Youth Committee in collaboration with Abingdon Parks & Recreation. Corporate sponsor is Cumberland Resources Corporation. PLEASE NOTE that in case of rain the event will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Coomes Recreation Center Gymnasium, 300 Stanley St., Abingdon.

Bands scheduled to compete are:

• Pulaski’s Burning Silver plays a mix of what they call “coffee -shop rock,” alternative, jazz, rock and placid nu-metal, including original material. Members are Chase Coble, 18 (lead guitar, rhythm guitar and vocals); Drew Long, 16 (drums, lead/rhythm/classical guitar, classical/electric bass, piano, timpani, marimbas, violin, harpsichord and backup vocals); Drew Pierce, 17 (lead vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, drums and bongos); and Thomas Doolittle, 17 (bass). Though relative newcomers – the band originated in January of this year – they have played at everything from surprise birthday parties to a large battle of the bands, where they paced 5th of 16 bands competing.

• EDGE, from the Grundy, Va., area, plays mostly original alternative/southern rock, plus covers of southern rock and alternative. Its members’ influences range from bluegrass to country to rock and alternative. The band’s name, taken from an original song title, is characteristic of the group’s musical and lyrical style. Members are Everette Mullins, 21 (vocals/acoustics); Anthony St. Clair, 18 (lead and rhythm guitars); Jeff Childress, 18 (bass guitars); and Teddy Fuller, 16 (drums).

• Gate City’s ELEGANT plays a mix of original hard rock and rock and hard rock covers. Members are Eric Sheffield, 17 (drums); Brandon Barker, 16 (guitar); Jackie Osborne, 18 (bass); and Shawn Firestone, 18 (vocals). The band has opened at Wrightsfield Sport Café, and performed at Hungry Mother Park, the bowling alley in Marion, and other area venues. The band takes its name from members’ “clean-cut” appearance after they all cut their “super long hair.”

• Far-Less, from Marion, Va., performs all original, high energy rock. Since its conception in the summer of 2001 the band has played almost 100 shows locally and regionally in support of two eps, “emerge” and “a possibility.” The band was to release its first full-length project, “Broken Hearts Unite,” on July 15, and will be touring semi-nationally in support of the record. Members are Brandon Welch, 19 (lead vocals); Joseph Powers, 19 (bass guitar); Ray Felts, 18 (drums); Mark Karsten, 20 (guitar); and Jordan Powers, 21 (guitar).

• Together for about three years, Gyft, from Lebanon, Va., plays all original rock. Members are Jay Breimann, 19 (lead vocals); Rob McAllister, 21 (guitar, back-up vocals); Noah Ashbrook, 19 (drums); and Tim Barnhart, 19 (guitar/bass). The band has performed at beauty pageants and “other local gigs,” at 2001 Jammin’ on the Clinch, and at battle of the bands competitions in Tazewell. While they have performed under various names, “for now,” they say, “music is a Gyft.”

• From Bristol, Tenn, REAGANS play punk rock/rock and roll, including both covers and selections from about 25 originals. Begun just over a year ago, this enterprising young band – which takes its name from President Ronald Reagan – has already released two CDs. Members are Jonny Reagan, 18 (vocals and guitar); Aaron Reagan, 18 (back-up vocals and bass); and Stinky Reagan, 18 (drums and back-up vocals)

• Playing all original material, Slow Children at Play, from Dublin, describes their music as Christian punk rock. The band evolved from a friendship at church and has been together for about nine months. Members are Tyler Blankenship, 15 (back-up vocals, bass); Jacob Roseberry, 16 (guitar); Heston Alley, 14 (drums); and Stephen Mcglothin, 19 (vocals). The band has performed at churches, union halls, coffee shops and restaurants in the area. They previously placed second of 15 bands in a battle of the bands competition at Volvo Union Hall, and opened for Jeremy Camp on June 28 at a battle of the bands in Christiansburg.

Bands scheduled to compete were selected from 13 talented entries. Winners Aug. 9 will be chosen by audience vote at 9:30 p.m. The winning band will receive $500 and will close out the evening with a second set. The runner-up will receive $300 and third place will be awarded $100. Each of the remaining bands selected to compete will receive $50.

Admission to Battle of the Bands is free, but very limited seating is available, so bring a lawn chair or blanket. Pizza and soft drinks will be available for sale.
For more information, call the Virginia Highlands Festival Office at (276) 623-5266.
 
¶Posted by Team Rock 6:49 AM