The first round of live performance competition for the Miller Lite Battle of the Bands, took place on March 12th at Broadway 50/50 at the Colonnade. The restaurant and bar quickly populated with friends, family, and potential fans of the three bands preparing to take stage.
To be fair in who gets to perform first, straws are drawn. Results of the draw, placed Ghandis Gun as the first band to give their best impression to the crowd and judges. Second in line, Seven Board, and finally, BONE. Last in line is exactly what the members of BONE were hoping for...they had the desire of being able to leave the final impression on -not only the judges, but the people of San Antonio.
As the first band took stage, BONE observed the competition while visiting with their supporters - thanking them for their presence. Already familiar with Ghandis Gun, their performance did not bring any surprises to the members of BONE; they slammed the audience with an abundance of music in the 15 minutes permitted- giving it all they got.
Second band takes stage, and the members of BONE watch a little more intently, as they were not as familiar with this band. Seven Board pours out their talents, with much crowd approval. Everyone submitted their applause, including BONE. Although this is competition, a good musician can appreciate a job well done.
Finally, BONE takes the stage. The energy level in the building increases, and the buzz of excitement arrives at its peak, they begin the show. The crowd explodes with approval, and the floor populates as Shane Taylor - the singer - draws in interest with the party song "Stoned". People are nodding heads in time with the heavy beat of the drummer, Gustavo Ramirez and intense driving bass line of Andy Chinigo. Mendez brings everything together as he makes his guitar sing like nothing this crowd has heard from a San Antonio axe man - his performance brings screams of approval.
Second song performed by BONE is a tragic story of Johnny - a friend of theirs lost to the fate of his own hand. Starting off slowly, the crowd calms and listens to the tale. Then, once again, the vocals explode as the band rocks out and raises the energy level, causing everyone to clap, hollar, whistle, and yell statements of praise and approval. As the conclusion of Johnny also brings conclusion to their own original music presentation, it was now time to show what they can do with a "cover" tune.
As the applause finally begins to quiet, Shane Taylor announces the tune they are about to perform - inquiring of the crowd, "Has anyone heard of a band called Muse?"... as the crowd bursts out with shrieks of approval, "this song is called Uprising". As the drums lead the way, Gustavo Ramirez - the beast - clearly enjoys bringing the beat that drives this song as Andy Chinigo thumps his bass in partnership - not one head, toe, or hand could keep from tapping along with the groove; not even the judges could sit still. Mendez tickles the strings on his guitar to play the portion of Uprising that is usually played by a keyboard, "How does he do that?" is heard from behind me. BONE nails this cover tune, and even brings it up a notch without taking away from the whole flavor of Muse.
BONE's time on the stage is concluded with an exstatic audience, expressing complete approval of the performance with their whistles, applause, and screams of all sorts. Devastating performance BONE!
We all wait nervously as we wait to hear the winner announced by Randy Bonillas of 99.5 Kiss. And finally, it comes... "it was close...thank you to all the bands... BONE" is the choice of the judges. Celebration rings out in the whole establishment. Many congratulations, and expressed gratitude is passed around.
BONE is a force to be reckoned with as San Antonio's upcoming hottest bands. Great job guys!!
If you missed this performance, make it a point to be a participant of the audience on April 2nd at Broadway 50/50 at the Colonnade. This will be the the final battle in Miller Lite's Battle of the Bands. And bring your friends - if you don't... you'll wish you had.
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