Rock/metal bands to battle for prizes

    A Battle of the Bands for rock/heavy metal format groups will be held in San Angelo Thursday, Oct. 18-Thursday, Nov. 29.

    Large cash prizes will be awarded to the top three bands during finals in December. In addition to $3,000, the first-place winner gets an opportunity to open for a major act. The second-place band will receive $2,000, and third place will get $1,000.

    The audience will join a panel of judges to vote on the bands’ originality, presentation, ability and charisma. Four bands per night will complete and perform for 30-minute sets.

    All interested bands must submit an entry form, an 8x10 photo and a tape or CD with at least three original songs. An entry fee of $50 per band must be received by Sunday, Sept. 30.

    Bands must be willing to have their pictures and music used in all advertising. Bands must also present a bio of the band and details pertaining to their style of music, influences, upcoming performances and any other details for the public.

    Bands should consist of at least three to eight members and can range from 18-30 years old. The competition excludes country/western bands.

    “We are turning down country/western bands and want just rock, the country/western scene is not working so we are trying to change the image and the name of the club to Santa Fe Roadhouse,” Judy Howard of Soft Gravity Ventures, Inc. said.

    Santa Fe Junction, a San Angelo dance club, and Soft Gravity Ventures, Inc. will sponsor the competition.

    The actual dates of the event are Oct. 18-20, 25-27 and Nov. 8-10, 15-17, 23-24 and 29. The finals will be Friday, Nov. 30, and winners will be announced Friday, Dec. 7.

    The battle organizers plan to have 32 bands performing. Some of the bands already scheduled include Shades of Gray from Abilene and Buzzbomb.

    For more information, contact Howard or Gary Leigh of Soft Gravity Ventures, Inc. at softgravity@hotmail.com or call 915-224-0606, 915-224-0707, fax: 915-947-0131 or email texasbands@hotmail.com.

    Bands can also visit Santa Fe Junction at its website http://www.santafejunction.com, write to 524 South Bryant, San Angelo, Texas, or call 915-658-5068.