KDUP's first 'Battle of the Bands' brings out over 200 students for four bands
By Maureen Inouye
The lights are off. There's great music. People are screaming "Encore!" And somewhere, the music gods are smiling.
No, that's not a description of a big name concert at the Rose Garden. It's a description of St. Mary's last Thursday, when Paulrus is Dead won the Battle of the Bands. The first KDUP Battle of the Bands struck a chord with students as four bands competed to perform at the upcoming Three Wise Monkeys Art Competition.
The four bands competing all had extremely different sounds, but all showed talent as both musicians and performers. Besides stage time at the Three Wise Monkeys event, the band received $150 gift card for Guitar Center.
Erik Thorsnes, the KDUP assistant music director, said the event was meant to promote KDUP and provide a showcase for students.
The Winner:
Paulrus is Dead
Senior Sam Nelson is one of the three men in the band, though the only one who attends UP. Together for more than three years, their obvious experience (gained playing house parties and Last Thursdays) stood in sharp contrast to the other bands' minor fumblings. Unlike the other rock band, Champagne, all of Paulrus is Dead's songs were original. As soon as it began to play, the audience crowded toward the stage, and when the band tried to leave, students even demanded an encore with loud, insistent clapping.
"I really like the vocalist. He has good voice range, and he's not monotone. Awesome instrumentals too," freshman Logan Meade said.
Champagne
The first band that performed was almost a stereotypical boy band but interesting nonetheless. According to their short biography, they met in the line for the salad bar at The Commons. The four students performed several rock covers, but freshman Kevin Monette was the true star as the band's vocalist. With sunglasses and real presence, Monette also played piano and performed an original solo piece, which was sweet, although out of place at a band competition.
"I didn't think they were prepared, and it's really hard being first. People weren't excited yet," freshman Rosie Cullen said. Cullen was right. People were just sitting, and then standing, around - and Champagne definitely needs to spend more time playing together before they enter another contest.
Patgon Mayuti
The name of this band might be familiar to you - they've played at Guam Night for the last two years. Headed by senior Derek Mandell, this three-person band has an island reggae sound that could not be more catchy, or more different from Champagne. Mandell opened the set with the disclaimer, "We don't practice that much," but they sounded good to the audience. So good, in fact, that several couples began to slow dance as the mellow voices of Mandell and sophomore Darryl Delgado for a fabulously smooth sound.
"They seemed really sweet - and they tried really hard," freshman Abby Warner said.
Shake Speake
Shake Speake had the most distinctive sound. With a violin, a viola and bongos, this is not your average band. Playing together for eight months, Shake Speake has performed at several Portland venues and even created a demo CD.
They describe themselves as "indie-folk-rock" which seems incongruous until you hear them - and you realize they're right. This group is definitely more focused on the music, however, than performance, and the antics of the other bands almost eclipsed this band's serene sound.
"They were beard-strokingly good. Fun but contemplative," freshman Patrick Thomas said.
KDUP's first-ever Battle of the Bands was a pivotal event for the student-run radio station.
"We'd like this to be our big event every year. But we're always on - please listen," Thorsnes said.
He was enthusiastic about the turnout, which he estimated to be about 200 students, though it was hard to tell because so many students walked in and out during the three-hour event.
