Battle Of The Bands - Newton Abbot Heat @ 
Coombeshead Academy - 18/06/2024
When I started writing this blog back in 2012 I promised that I would write about good music wherever I found it and, by and large, I've stuck to that promise. One thing that's getting harder to do, however, is get to see see young, upcoming talent perform live due to the closing down of venues left, right and centre. So, when the fine people at Music In Devon Initiative (MIDI) and Devon Music Education Hub invited me to judge eight secondary school bands in a battle of the bands in Newton Abbot on a Tuesday evening, I didn't need asking twice.
The set up was simple, eight bands from eight different schools in a fight to the death....no, sorry, I'll start again. Eight bands from eight different schools get to perform one song each followed by feedback from the panel and then the best two go through to a final in Exeter with the chance of winning time in a recording studio. First up was a group called the Chance with their version of the Van Halen classic 'Jump' which had an incredibly faithful keyboard sound and singer who gave the song some punk energy. The three guitarists felt a tad unnecessary but then I was in a band with a bongo player who only performed on one song just so we could get him in for free so who am I to judge?
Next up were the Fruit Baskets who took the bold approach of putting themselves on shuffle and trying to fit a number of song snippets in to their allotted time. Starting with the Muse version of 'Feeling Good' (although vocally more similar to Nina Simone), the quartet rattled through Foo Fighters, Britney Spears and Bruno Mars excellently stitching the songs together with breathless energy. The heavy sound of Falling Off A Horse hit hard like a tidal wave of raw sound and energy as the band wore their influences of the Ramones, Smashing Pumpkins and Guns'n'Roses quite literally on their shirts but sounded more like Reuben, Nirvana and Silverchair. A late attack of stage fright meant the a teacher had to stand (or kneel) in on vocal duties for the F.A.B. version of 'Billy Jean' which featured some great woodwind, rolling bass and the bold choice of Lightning McQueen Crocs as stage footwear.
Leonard & the Zombies (pictured) impressed with their indie-grunge-punk sound and an original composition that hit hard in the main but had a surprise drop in energy in the middle which showed the burgeoning sophistication of the Totnes quartet's songwriting. They are the kind of band who will build a cult following in person and online with a look and sound that is still developing but definitely intriguing. Exeter's Dry Rain impressed and refreshed with their lush take on 'Don't You Worry Bout A Thing' featuring incredible vocal harmonies, funky drums, cool as a cucumber bass and piano playing that carried the melody and rhythm simultaneously. They were the kind of band you could stumble across at a festival and spend a good hour falling in love with, musically speaking.
Female fronted four piece the Invigilators made the brave move of taking on the Royal Blood track 'Little Monster' but with added guitar which gave the track a Muse meets Rage Against the Machine with Shirley Manson on vocals vibe. The bass and drums work more than stood up to the original version and the energy created by the band was infectiously impressive. The last act of the evening was seven piece party band the Collective who brought energy, a tight sound and some incredible vocal harmonies from the two front women who put their all in to the performance.
It was genuinely refreshing and encouraging to see so many young people (God I sound old) starting out on their musical adventures and with so many different styles as well. A big shout out should go to all the drummers (and their teachers) because the quality of tub thumpers was exceptional throughout and that takes dedication and a lot of soundproofing/ear defenders for the rest of the family. In the end, the winners were Dry Rain and Leonard & the Zombies with Falling Off A Horse cantering in a very close and respectable third on the night. The main winner, however, was music and that's all we can really ask for, isn't it?
More information:
Devon Music Education Hub - https://www.musiceducationhub.org/site/
Music In Devon Initiative - https://www.musicindevon.org/