Get Set Radio win Battle of Bands round two
By Lewis RuddMarch 03, 2010
Wokingham witnessed a youth revolt when hundreds of teenagers rocked the night away at round two of the town’s Battle of the Bands competition.
Scores of youngsters made their way to Wokingham Youth Centre in Reading Road on Friday to see six unsigned bands thrash and scream their way through the second heat of the popular competition.
The 270-strong crowd watched each band perform a 30-minute set before a panel of five judges deliberated and decided which two went through to the final in April.
Battle of the Bands round two is family affair
Despite one entrant, Just Add Monsters, pulling out just hours before the competition, those who turned up on the night were not disappointed.
Many got involved with a makeshift mosh pit, jumped on the shoulders of fellow rockers or simply enjoyed the entertainment in front of them.
A judges view: Happy to help thrash out round two result
After three-and-a-half hours of unadulterated noise, guitar riffs, drum beats and an adapted version of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, the five-man panel took a matter of minutes to choose their top two.
Get Set Radio, a four-piece who hail from the region, were named as the heat winners and will return to the competition when the final is held at the centre next month.
Will Clements, Steve Barnegren, Joe Rubel and Jonas Molina, who make up the band, have recently moved to London in the hope of securing a recording contract.
After the event, Steve said: “I love playing in my home town of Wokingham because we always get a good reception from the people. Get Set Radio are thrilled to be playing the final in April.”
Steve’s siblings Jennifer, 17, and Jan-Erik, 15, also played in the competition in their band Veronika Decides with band mate Dom Fludger, 15.
The group will be joined at the grand final by Clockwork, a metal band who qualified for the showpiece showdown as runners-up.
The five-piece, who hail from Wokingham and Reading, are Edd Kerton, Simon Taylor, Jack Pamely, Chris Cudder and Chris Ricketts.
They said: “We have all come a long way since last year. It’s been great to play Wokingham again as it’s where we started, we’re really excited to be playing the final again.”
Kraken win first round of Battle of the Bands
The pair join heat one winners Kraken and No Longer Bandits in the final line-up.
Round three will take place at the centre on Friday, March 26. The overall winner will take home £300 and a day recording at Whitehouse Studios in Reading. The runners-up will receive £150 while all finalists will be awarded a voucher for a half-price day at the studio.
Click here for Battle of the Bands 2009 Final report and videos
Further proceeds received from the competition, which is organised by friends Pat Rowell and Penny Bradshaw, will be donated to Winnersh Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) and Cancer Research UK.
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