Before Warsaw Community High School students go on spring break, there's going to be a battle.
Battle of the Bands will feature five bands Thursday at 7 p.m. in the WCHS Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Returning for the competition after their first-place win in 2009 is Beyond the Puppet. Organizer Micky Ratliff said audiences have heard the band's heavy, progressive style the past two to three years. Beyond the Puppet does mostly original songs.
With a heavy, hardcore style, the band Cryptogenic hopes to take Beyond the Puppet down. If Cryptogenic can't do it, there's also Space Dragon, Just Drive and Vurt.
While Space Dragon is more of a jam band, Ratliff said, Just Drive is more laid back and plays a couple of Muse cover songs. Vurt plays more of a pop/punk style, he said.
"It should be a good show," Ratliff said.
During the Battle of the Bands, each band gets 20 minutes to perform. They can use that time however they want - one long 20-minute song or several shorter songs, Ratliff said.
During the show, audiences can use their tickets to vote for their favorite band. All votes must be in by the time the fifth band finishes its set. The winner is selected by the audience's vote. Voting boxes will be out in the lobby.The band receiving the most votes gets $500. Second place gets $200.
The best instrumentalist award goes to the student who plays the best solo or has the best instrumental performance. The prize of $50 is awarded based on the decision by an independent judge. This year that judge is Ryan Wood of WRSW.
In 2009, the instrumentalist award went to Curtis George, the drummer of Beyond the Puppet.
"I want to encourage everyone to come out and support their band, but also every band. It should be fun. The next day is the start of spring break so it's a good way to kick off spring break," Ratliff said.
This is the second year Ratliff has coordinated Battle of the Bands, but he's attended Battle of the Bands in previous years. He said he's always enjoyed the opportunity to see the students' talents that they don't always get to showcase.
