Last Saturday was a night filled with great local talent, as four student bands competed for a first-place $200 prize or a second-place $100 prize at UPAC Concerts’ Battle of the Bands. Despite the heavy rain, a modest crowd showed up and had fun. In addition, Apple, Inc. recorded the show and handed out numerous gift items.
Girdap was up first. Graduate student Selcuk Atli played the acoustic guitar and sang vocals. Graduate student Cem Geyik beat the drums, graduate student Melih Ozlem rocked the electric guitar, and graduate student Carlos Lopez strummed the bass. This modern rock group got together this year and worked to enhance the songs written by Atli. Their performance was very upbeat and energetic. They played “Hindu Times,” “Different Blue,” a song calling for peace in the world, “Chaos and Order,” “Something Sweet,” and “Forward.”
Next was Lost In Transit. Band members graduate student Jim Young (bass and vocals), Randy Morris (guitar and vocals), Chris Lee ’07 (guitar and vocals), and Paz Madliano (drums) worked the crowd, being the first to take advantage of the stage and get the crowd really swinging their heads and tapping their feet. This punk rock/alternative group played their original song, “Hope for Clear Sky,” also about the current state of the country: “Close your eyes and dream about a better world / When there’s so much fight they can’t steal your night.” The band also put their own spin on the song “Umbrella” by Rihanna with their rock tunes. Check out their website for upcoming performances: http://www.losttransit.com/
Next was Reason 837. Band members Brian Gwozdz (bass and vocals), Justin Burdick ’11 (guitar), Nick Beer (drums and vocals), and Damian McCartney (guitar) were epic, just like the title of their first song. Their melodies were a quick hit with the crowd, which jammed to the fast beats. The band was so into it that one of the members broke three guitar strings! The group also played “Nuggets,” “Just like Every Other Girl,” “Self Centered,” “The Battle Song,” and closed their portion of the show with “Take Cover.” Check out this punk rock group’s website for upcoming performances at: http://www.myspace.com/reason837/
Finally, A New Day performed. Band members Colin Haynes ’10 (drums), Dave Linehan ’11 (bass and guitar), Chris LaPointe ’10 (guitar and vocals), and Jeff Linehan ’11 (guitar and vocals) proved to be very funky as they sung their favorite song, called “Favorite.” The group also mixed things up with a romantic melody called “Sand Dunes.” They entertained the audience with their final song “Fallin’.”
The night was a blast and the winners were announced to be A New Day in second place and Reason 837 in first place. Check out the next UPAC Concerts show Saturday, November 15 at 9 pm.
