During Winter Formal, the annual Battle of the Bands competition will take place with a 6-band lineup. Each band has their own unique style, but it will come down to audience satisfaction to determine the winner.
This year’s lineup is as follows:
Mitosis Aftermath– Julian Fox, Noah Gould, Drew Gerber, Weston Jahn, Russell Riley, and David Bone put together a jazz fusion band consisting of a saxophone, trumpet, piano, bass guitar, lead guitar and drums. The band has some returning competitors hoping to be equally as successful as last year. “Were hoping to lay down some hip grooves that all the kids can really jam out to,” said Gould.
RFMA– Ariel Kohll, Eva Phillips, and Aly Stark couldn’t think of a band name at first, so decided to go political. RFMA stands for the Respect for Marriage Act which would recognize the rights for same-sex marriage. The trio came to auditions in their best Joan Jett apparel while rocking their own version of her song, “Bad Reputation”. Kohll was in charge of the vocals as well as the lead guitar, Stark on bass, and Phillips on drums. “Getting in was a surprise. I’m just glad that we have the opportunity to show Westside what we’re made of,” said Kohll.
Dave 5:14– David Korff and Connor Paskach return to the stage with an acoustic set. Korff will be on vocals and guitar with Paskach on bass. “We’re hoping for world domination first and foremost, and to bring face-melting music that will leave the crowd in disbelief,” said Korff.
Romeo’s Wingman– Vocalist and guitar player, Roger Slatten and bass player, Amory Carnazzo have been playing in bands since 4th grade and just recently asked drummer, Harper Newell to join the band. They classify their music as a little heavier than alternative rock and were very surprised to have made the cut. “Were going to go on with a good attitude and do our best!” said Slatten.
Strange Antics– Triplets Sophie, Simon, and Cooper Clark cover alternative rock bands if they aren’t performing their own material. Sophie sings and plays the keyboard, Cooper plays bass guitar, and Simon plays drums. “I’m excited to play in front of all my friends,” said Sophie. The band also recruited Fremont sophomore, Gage Clark, as a guitar player who coincidentally has the same last name.
UnDecided– Josh Sullivan, Quinn Nelson, Jack Ricceri, and Dominick Cartledge make up this pop group. Sullivan sings, Nelson drums, Ricceri plays guitars and sings, and Cartledge plays piano. “We primarily do pop songs by Maroon 5, Matisyahu, Andy Grammer, and similar artists of that genre,” said Ricceri. For the battle, they will be singing “Beautiful Goodbye” by Maroon 5.
During the judging, there will be a special intermission group called The Acafellas that will perform a compilation of selected songs. The group consists of singers Pat Coyle, Mitch May, Josh Payne, Joe Hack, Grant Glazer, Adam Froendt, and Cory Curfman. “We feel as though we are the reincarnation of the musical gods Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, and Justin Bieber,” said Coyle. “Were the re-emerging bad boys of a capella.”
