By Heather Mullinix / hmullinix@crossville-chronicle.com
To view the video from Stone Memorial High School's Battle of the Bands, CLICK HERE.
Students, parents and assorted fans were on hand for the first Battle of the Bands at Stone Memorial High School Saturday. Eight aspiring bands and musicians took the stage, hoping they would be named the victor.
In the end, it was two brothers and their friends taking the prize, a $100 purse and two hours of recording time at Star Recording Studios. Toxic Youth, with Austin Brist on drums, Jesse Brist on lead guitar, Malcom Payne on rhythm guitar and Parker Morris on bass guitar, was the winning band.
Austin Brist said after the show, "We're stoked we won. We didn't see it. Some of the other bands were really great."
While Austin and Jesse Brist have been playing together for some time, it was only in December they formed the band with friends Payne and Morris. All four are students at SMHS.
Eight acts performed, with four eliminated after the first round and another three after the second round.
Starting the night was Rafael "The King" Soriano, who harkened to another time when he sang "Don't Be Cruel."
He was followed by Exit Sign, with Shaun Hinds, Cody Delk and Trevor Long, performing "Jesus."
Two members of No Regrets were waylayed by illness the night of the battle. But, the show must go on. Drummer Clay Leary dazzled the crowed with an improvised drum solo.
The solo was followed by Toxic Youth's first song of the night, "Santeria."
Undecided Youth, an alternative rock band with Brandi Stedam, Heather Stover, Shana Sweet and Jessica Miles, performed "Crush, Crush, Crush" by Paramore.
The girls were followed by Bottled Catastrophe, with Cameron Sink, Collin Sanders, Evan Sanders, Jeff Wool and Bradley Williams, performing "3 a.m." by Matchbox 20.
By Blood We Are Bonded was up next. This group, which includes Cameron Wyatt, Caleb Raines, Forest Irvin, Steven Brendensee and Eli Dann, has been performing for more than a year. The group writes their own material. They performed their song "More Than A Ghost In A Machine."
Trevor Harp ended the first round with a metal guitar instrumental.
After a short break, the judges' decision was announced. Toxic Youth, Bottled Catastrophe, By Blood We Are Bonded and Trevor Harp advanced to the final round.
Toxic Youth performed Metallica's "Don't Tread On Me," followed by Bottled Catastrophe and "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers. By Blood We Are Bonded performed "Represent," and Harp performed a blues instrumental.
Judges were Tony Perry, of Star Recording Studio, and Andy Vaughn with 102.5 WOW Country. In addition to the two hours of recording time to the winning band, Perry also awarded one hour of recording time to each of the other bands and contestants.
The Battle of the Bands was sponsored by the SMHS Panther Players, and masters of ceremonies for the night were Jeremy Mauldin, Stage Monday and Jessica St. James. Proceeds benefitted the SMHS senior class to cover the costs of senior night, the prom and the senior breakfast.
In order to participate in the Battle, at least one band member had to be a student at SMHS or Cumberland County High School, and no member could be older than 20. Also, lyrics and costumes were to be school appropriate and approved prior to the show. Bands also had to pay a $20 entrance fee.
