Thrash it out in the `Battle of the Bands`

With the harsh winter chills lapping on our doorsteps, the temptation to venture out in the evening is proportional to the risks of freezing to death for the sake of going to the pub for a quick pint. Okay, maybe no one is going to freeze to death, but no one will argue that it was uncomfortably cold last week.

Nevertheless, one has to have a pretty darn good reason to leave the comforts of a warm house. Fortunately, there is something to drag punters away from countless "C.S.I.," "Dexter" and "Deadliest Catch" reruns dominating winter small screens.

Popular rock pub Ole Stompers in Itaewon, Seoul, is playing host to the "Battle of the Bands" throughout the month of November with 15 acts featured over three Saturdays. The competition commenced last weekend and the finals will be held on the 28th. Round two is this weekend, Nov. 14.

A battle of the bands is not a new concept. Not by a long shot.



Originally the brainchild of Stompers manager Alan Green, friends Summer Walker and Cain Barriskill tailored the original idea to incorporate Korean bands and help promote local expat musicians.

Last year`s result was a raging success, with 16 very high-quality acts thrashing it out over a killer competition with Korean power punk trio Galaxy Express taking top honors and 1 million won prize money.

Playing to a packed audience of more than 200 music enthusiasts, Galaxy Express put on a dynamite performance that almost literally blew the opposition away, leaving no doubt in the judges minds, this scribe being one throughout the contest, that Seoul is definitely on the map when it comes to producing rock acts of world-class quality.

The first prize is a cool 1 million won, and the runner up gets studio time at Bubblegum Records.

With Seoul`s booming live music scene, one often struggles to keep up with new talent.

"It should a good month, because there are some awesome bands playing," said Summer Walker, one of the organizers.



Kicking off the proceedings last Saturday night, The Pines delivered an eclectic set of piano-driven original songs laced with a few covers that highlighted Zee`s powerful vocals.

Punctuated with some fine guitar, the Pines, veterans of the Korean music scene, celebrated one year as a solid unit on the night of the competition.

When questioned on what a Battle of the Bands hopes to achieve, the vocalist of the Pines provided an insight into all aspects of the shows. "It`s a really good chance to get to see other bands you might not see on your regular gig circuit," she said.

"It`s also a really good chance for us to reach a new audience, and try new stuff. The tough part is competing with other bands, that can be difficult," she added.

Second on the bill was punk band the Tremors, who play all original material, except for Undertones classic "Teenage Kicks."

The MC for the evening, Achilles Lakes, introduced the band in his brutally honest delivery, warning the crowd to "Get ready to get really (messed) up."

After their set, former Doosan Bears pitcher Matt Randle, front man for Tremors, spoke with enthusiasm of his band`s performance earlier in the night. "We played a great set. We`ve been rehearsing real hard and it looks like it worked," said Randle.

The sensation of the night was first-round winners Seoul City Suicides.

With a name inspired by media of coverage of celebrity suicides a year ago, the power rock trio provided a nonstop 30 minute set of kick-butt rock.

The evening was not without some hiccups. One being that Korean band Captain Bootbois, a serious crowd pleaser, were forced to cancel at the last minute. Their absence also resulted in a slightly smaller Korean audience.

"It`s a shame the Bootbois couldn`t make it. They`re a great band and bring good people with them," said David Tizzard of the Suicides.

Tizzard, as well as all participants in the first round, praised the judges for their diligence and fairness. "The judges did a great job. The crowd were right with them," he said by phone the next day.

Hongdae has traditionally been the home of Seoul`s indie live music scene, but organizers feel that this will not only bring some desperately needed original talent to the area but also give music fans another option for the weekend.



Round two, Nov. 14

The Dharrma Club

The Moon

Ska Sucks

Short Bus



Round three, Nov. 21

Whatever That Means

Mongolian Project

H.Guitarcus

The Willman Band



Finals on Nov. 28.



The doors open at 7 p.m. Drink specials will be on offer between 9 p.m. The bands will begin at 9 p.m. There is no cover charge. Bands will be judged on musicianship, stage performance, audience response and originality.

To get to Stompers, leave Itaewon station, line 6, via exit 3. Turn right at the fire station and left at the first corner. Stompers is at the top of the hill on the left.

(johnredmond@heraldm.com)





The author, John Redmond, is participating in competition with the band The Tremors. - Ed.



By John Redmond