Bands battle to open blues festival heat one
Last updated at 19:02, Sunday, 22 February 2009
CRASHING cymbals, heavy drumrolls and belting vocals kicked off the first heat of Maryport’s battle of the bands competition.
The first heat of the competition took place last Friday to find the talented band to open the 11th Maryport Bitter and Blues Festival.
Five bands, from Maryport, Workington, Cockermouth and Carlisle fought it out in front of a crowd of more than 100 people at Grasslot Working Men’s Club on Garner Street.
The two bands that proved triumphant and will go through to the final on Friday, February 27 were Nine Lives and Third Idea.
Workington rock band Nine Lives have been together just over a year and has already worked the local music circuit, performing regular gigs all around Allerdale.
They just missed out on opening last year’s festival but played as a support band.
Nine Lives’ line-up is vocalist Ben McGlasson, 28, lead guitarist Darren Rutter, 22, bassist Phil Ewing, 35, guitarist Andrew Pearson, 24, and drummer Chris Tinkler, 18.
The band said they were influenced by Deep Purple, Foo Fighters and Velvet Revolver.
Ben said: “It would mean the world to us to win the competition, we can’t wait to get up there and perform.”
Indie band Third Idea are regulars on the Maryport music scene and have played local festivals like the White Mare pub rock festival.
The band have been together for nine months and lists their influences as the Stone Roses, REM and The Killers.
Third Idea’s line-up is vocalist Mark Nealy, 31, drummer Steven Hanley, 31, of Maryport, guitarist David Hughes, 31, and bassist Andrew Jarrett, 30, of Cockermouth.
There was stiff competition for the places from Robin Starch, Broken Toy and Rock Bottom.
The overall winner will get the opportunity to play on the main stage at the festival’s marquee in front of thousands of people.
Some of the groups taking part in the Battle of the Bands may be offered the chance to perform during the festival, which kicks off on July 24.
Director for the Maryport Blues committee Debra Park, 36, said the battle was an important event for local musicians and that the blues festival has become a huge part of Maryport’s culture.
Mrs Park said: “It helps them to take pride in their music while also having fun.
“It also brings the community together to appreciate local musical talent that they might not know is out there.
“The winner of the final will go on to open the blues festival and to represent the whole of Allerdale.
“The festival brings a lot of people to the town from far away.
“It also gives the locals a chance to show off their musical talents, something that they are very proud of.”
The next two rounds of battle of the bands will take place on Friday, February 13 and Friday, February 20 from 7pm.
The winners of each round will be chosen by a new system this year.
The audience can now choose their favourite contender through a ballot, which will be considered as well as the judge’s votes.
If the audience choice is different to that of the judges, then two bands will go through to the final.
Heat two videos and story here
Heat three videos and story here
First published at 19:35, Saturday, 07 February 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
colt 45 and feed me were the most original bands.skinwalker played very well also cosmic debris i think the singer got stage fright so probably lucky they didnt win and she done that on the big night good guitarist tho.nine lives good covers band but i think in future should only be bands who play there own material.i voted for colt 45 but i think feed me were robbed hard luck lads but im sure ull be playin in the pubs so hope to catch you.also an earlier comment about blues band never wins south quay were as near as youll get!
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Really liked that last song Mothership did,it was their own aswell!! they were really good, shame they didnt win, anyone else think so???
Posted by Ryan on 17 March 2009 at 11:40