Rock and roll took a competitive turn monday night at Houston Hall, as bands took part in the Social Planning and Events Committee's first annual "Battle of the Bands," a kick-off event for Philly Week 2004.
Participating groups were vying for the "Best Band" title and a slot in the Spring Fling 2005 lineup. The winner will be announced today.
"It's a really big deal," College senior and SPEC member Ashley Wolff said. "The people in charge of Spring Fling literally get hundreds of demo tapes from bands."
Despite the numerous empty chairs at the start of the event, friends of the bands joined the audience as the evening continued.
Curious students attracted by the commotion also ventured into the concert from the study areas above Bodek Lounge.
Eight bands performed at the event, including frequent campus performer IQRAM.
"If you guys feel that you can, put your hands together ... come on, its only Monday," IQRAM singer and Engineering senior Iqram Magdon-Ismail said, before launching into the band's most energetic song, "Jambo."
The bands, however, were not enough to keep everyone from studying. Many present had textbooks, binders and calculators in hand.
"I've got friends [in the bands], so I wanted to come out and support them," Wharton sophomore Katie Mark said. Mark, along with a few others, was working on her laptop for the duration of the event.
Despite their relatively quiet responses, audience members still took note of the talented lineup.
"I thought [the band] Sephanous Trio was amazing," College junior and Green Day fan Rafael Viana said, "Mung was pretty good too ... but I kind of wish there wasn't any seating."
All eight bands, including Homemade Hip Hop, The Silver Pears, Truce for Tonite and Stu-Gotts, registered for the event through an online form.
"We had just the right number of performers," Wolff said."I'm really pleased with the turn-out, it's been great."
The bands seemed similarly impressed with the crowd.
"The crowd was great! Awesome!" Medical graduate student and singer of Sephanous Trio Lauren Fine said. "Everyone was listening, which never happens at a bar."
