Tools
It's been a crazy month full of one impressive show after another. Week one, the crazy (in a good way) Spit-Licks advanced to the finals over their tough competition, Royale and Benchgrinder. Week two, the HollowPoints kicked EMP's ass into submission with a blistering punk rock performance that ensured them a spot in the finals (to the surprise of many an audience member). And just last weekend, Schoolyard Heroes beat out the adorable synth-heavy Massive Habit and the lovely acoustic duo Red Fish Blue Fish for the last slot on the bill, making the final round sure to be one fiercely close competition.
In case you've never had the pleasure of seeing any of the final bands, trust me when I say that each band is worth the show's admission ($7 for students, $10 for general public). The Spit-Licks mix every genre they can get their hands on (including reggae, punk, and rock) to create a sound all their own, while the HollowPoints stick with a more tried and true old-school punk style à la Social Distortion. And Schoolyard Heroes? Well, they have songs about zombies and werewolves. Yeah. And that's rad.
Stranger Personals
And while the EMP has rounded up some great judges to ensure the best band wins (I have had the pleasure of judging, along with reps from Sub Pop, KEXP, and One Reel Production), the final decision really couldn't be made without the audience's support, so if you have a favorite band on the bill, it's imperative that you show up to cheer them on. They aren't playing for peanuts, after all--this is the big time. The winners of Saturday night's final battle take home free equipment, free studio time, and an ensured gig at this summer's Bumbershoot festival.
The evening's lineup won't be announced until that night, so be sure to arrive on time, as the first band promptly takes the stage at 8 p.m. The winning band will be announced immediately following the final band's performance. All I can say right now is it's going to be a close call. MEGAN SELING
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