Jeremy StevensWYBF and campus activities and programming board held a Battle of the Bands on Friday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. “New Union Rules,” a punk band, won the title at the end of the competition.
Battle of the Bands was held in Grace Hall with two stages set-up facing each other. To qualify, each band was required to have at least one Cabrini student in it. Each of the four qualifying bands took their turn on one of the stages to try to win over the audiences votes.
Upon entering, each person was issued a ticket. Each band had a small box to place a ticket if you wished to vote for them. The winning band was determined by the band with the most tickets.
The members of the winning band “New Union Rules” took home $150 in cash, a $100 gift certificate to the musical equipment store Sam Ash and a $50 American Express check card. All prizes were provided by WYBF and CAP board.
“New Union Rules” was also the band to kick off the intense event. Band members Lee Miyaharar on guitar and lead vocals, Chris Daubert on bass, Ryan Conklin on drums and Kevin Connolly on guitar performed four of their original songs for the crowd.
The band has been playing together for just about two years.
“We’ve played other shows at small venues in Philly,” Daubert, a student at LaSalle University, said. “Currently we are mixing and editing our new album.”
The album is expected to release in January and includes seven original songs. Album updates and more information can be found on their website at www.newunionrules.com.
All four band members look forward to graduating from college this spring. Conklin and Connolly are both seniors at Cabrini. However, Daubert feels that graduating will not discontinue the band.
“We’re just going to have fun and take the band-thing as far as we can,” Daubert said.
The second band to perform for the night was “Divided Sky.” The band contributed a unique sound to their performance by adding a violinist instead of a bass player.
Band members are Cabrini students Pat Walsh on guitar and lead vocals, Kevin Burke on violin and Chris Holland on drums. Also, Kevin Posodiec, a student at Penn State Berks, on guitar.
“Divided Sky” has been playing together for two weeks and performed one original song. The two other songs were cover songs by Dave Matthews and The Doors.
Next to take the stage was the metal band “Scythe of Azrael.” Amanda Wyckoff on guitar and lead vocals, Chrissy Zeller on bass, Andrew Stubbs on lead guitar and Sara Neidorf on drums performed 5 of their original songs for the audience.
“Scythe of Azrael” has been playing together for one year and will continue to play shows at small venues in the area to get their music heard.
“Right now we’re just out having fun, but hopefully we’ll be famous rock stars someday,” Zeller said.
Last to take the stage was “Manhattan Project.” This acoustic Indie band also plays “just for fun” and has been playing together for one month. Band members include Chris Campellone on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Andrew Ciccaroni on lead guitar and Anthony Casazza on bass. All three band members are Cabrini students.
“Manhattan Project” ended the show with one original song entitled “Bridgetown Pike” and two cover songs.
Once everyone had placed their tickets in the voting boxes, the votes were tallied and “New Union Rules” was announced the winner of the competition.
Although the other three bands left empty handed they all felt good about how they had performed earlier in the evening.
