Good hair: one thing's for sure, whatever you thought of the bands playing that night, you can't forget the hairstyle sported by Clockwork's lead guitarist
You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video.
More video
advertisement
Battle of the Bands 2009: an expert's view
By Mike PyleMay 02, 2009
Six rock bands had a night to remember when they made it to the Battle of the Bands' final.
Clockwork, When Memories Fade, Streetfight Silence, Valour, Caution and Five Aces Black all took the stage at the Wokingham Youth Centre during the popular event.
Here, journalist and rock music expert Mike Pyle deliver his verdict on the night - and the acts.
What did you make of the acts? Have your say here.
The first thing to say about the Wokingham Battle of the Bands is that all of the bands, without exception impressed me.
Whether their music was to my taste or not, the bands were all full of talent, energy and charisma.
Clockwork started the show with a bang, or should I say a roar.
Lead singer Edd Kerton’s visceral growls and screams struck a chord with their small army of fans, some of whom were quickly shirtless and head-banging.
The band featured some of the most skilful musicians on show.
The lead guitarist, with his hair gelled into a star-shape, was incredible.
Fast-fingered riffs traded places with melodic solos – particularly impressive considering he looked no older than 18.
My only complaint with them would be that, with the exception of one slower song, all their tunes sounded pretty similar.
When Memories Fade were probably the heaviest band playing although their chugging guitars and pounding drums were mellowed by co lead-singer Meg, the only girl in the contest, whose voice complimented the shouts of the other singer.
As Streetfight Silence took to the stage I had my doubts.
They had told me beforehand that their style is “pop-rock with an 80’s twist” and I was expecting them to be something like fellow Bracknell band The Hoosiers – whose rise to fame has always bemused me.
The three-piece quickly blew away my preconceptions.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy about them was the fact that I didn’t know the words to sing along to them.
By the end the crowd was whipped up into a frenzy and practically mobbed the 15-year-old drummer when he ran out into the mosh pit.
Valour, another Bracknell band, were the most talked about band of the evening before they played.
They delivered an energetic performance; the lead singer strutted around the stage like he owned the room and, for a while at least, he did as his lead guitarist’s fingers flew up and down his fretboard.
Caution were the youngest band playing, but to listen to them you’d never guess it.
Poppy and easier to listen to than many of the other bands, the crowd had all but disappeared when they started.
But by their third song the room was packed and everyone looked to be enjoying themselves.
As they grow up their stage presence will improve with their size and, if I had to back any one of these bands to make it to the big-time (more about luck than talent these days), I would back them thanks to their mainstream good looks.
The last band to play on the evening were Five Aces Black – the grown ups.
In the contest by default after another band dropped out, they played well but their lead singer lacked a bit of charisma.
The same couldn’t be said for the bleach-blonde bassist who was captivating, wandering into the crowd and even letting audience members play his guitar.
All in all, I would say Streetfight were worthy winners.
I think the crowd’s relentless shouts of “tick-tock” played a part in Clockwork getting the second prize but that’s not to say they weren’t good.
I just thought Caution, When Memories Fade and Valour were all better.
I had a good evening despite being just about the oldest person there and at 25 that says something about the audience.
It genuinely wouldn’t surprise me to see any of these bands doing well in the future and I could guarantee that there will be bands playing big name festivals this summer who aren’t a patch on some of these kids.
I really hope someone else see that too.
Warning: Videos may contain strong language.
Browse Sections
