As with previous years, the results of last Saturday’s eighth annual
EMP Sound Off! competition were less than shocking. The three
winners of the previous semifinals and, for the first time ever, a
wild-card band brought back from elimination played to a packed EMP Sky
Church. It was an exciting showcase of young talent, but from the start
it was clear that jazz hiphoppers Dyno Jamz had brought an
overwhelming throng of boisterous fans, and there might have been a
riot had the judges not awarded the group the grand prize (which scores
them a slot at this year’s Bumbershoot, recording time, and a live
appearance on 107.7 The End’s Locals Only show). The eight-piece
band, boasting the talent of seven University of Washington music
majors (and one of the city’s worst band names), took the stage
to riotous applause before breaking into their smooth jazz rap grooves.
While their Digable-Planets-meets-Jazz-Crusaders sound was the tasty
honey that their excitable fans craved, it certainly didn’t steal the
show. Tacoma duo Makeup Monsters, with their minimal punk-pop
sound and sleepy-teenage stage presence, were by far the weirdest young
band on the bill, but they were also the most exciting, with great
potential to grow into their sound in the future. They, of course, came
in last place, while Dyno Jamz won not only the grand prize but also
the Audience Response award. I know Sound Off! has the best intentions,
and it’s a fantastic opportunity for the kids who compete, but like any
battle of the bands, the most deserving acts don’t always win out.
Fri March 13: Batteries, Analog Destroyer, Blicky,
Tandem Hat at the Old Fire House, 8 pm, $6.
Fri March 13: Magma Festival:
You.May.Die.In.The.Desert, L.A. Lungs, Panther Attack, Wehrwolve at the
Greenhouse, 8 pm, $6.
Sat March 14: Classics of Love, Mike Park,
Dateless, the Damage Done at GRN STRP House, 8 pm, $5.
Mon March 16: Basshaters, Chaostic Magic, Story of
Rats, Walrus Machine at Monstersorri, 6:30 pm, donations.
Dyno Jamz had their shit together and they were incredibly original, how did they not deserve to win? Go to any garage near a middle school, and you can hear some form or another of the makeup monsters
I agree that Makeup Monsters have the most potential and natural songwriting talent. It scares me how cool their songs are and I can’t wait to hear more from them.
But there is no denying that Dyno Jamz’ live show was phenomenal. Regardless of the size of their crowd or the lameness of their band name, their intricate compositions, tight arrangements and bitchin songs made them the kings of the court on Saturday night and they completely deserved the win.
Could it be that Dyno Jamz had a huge fan base at the show because their fans love to hear them play? Each of those fans had to buy a ticket, so they must have wanted to hear the music. Makeup Monsters are from Tacoma so surely could have brought plenty of fans to the show if they had fans who wanted to support them.
I thought both Dyno Jamz and Makeup Monsters were good. Some of the semi-finals boasted more talented groups than both, but they still helped make a grate final. Props to them!
lets not forget SOL. As a solo artist competing against bigger groups, I saw him steal the show for 30 minutes along with the support of many of the hundreds of undecided audience members & the other bands fans. Props on second. I see you hustlin!
I know i didnt go to see him… and i ended up buying his album The RIde. hotness!
To e,
Makeup monsters is from Tacoma, so they should have been able to bring more fans? Please. Its about a sixth the size in population, has a smaller percentage of young people and there are hardly any venues for them to play, with the three that there are being either hardcore or metal venues. They brought almost everyone under 30 who listens to music in tacoma, and most got stuck outside not really knowing what sound off is.
I can understand dyno jamz winning. What with a huge crowd, and the possible motive that sound off is trying to to diversify (even if it means giving the title to a band that plays smooth jazz). But loosing to dearboy?
I think Casey’s main point isn’t “the other band I liked more deserved to win”. I think its “what’s the point of this event?”
Most of the best under-21 bands in Seattle don’t even bother applying to Sound Off because it’s totally irrelevant to them. Yet it sells itself as the face of under-21 music in this town.
Dyno Jamz were good players, probably the product of high schools with strong jazz band programs, but that doesn’t make them creative. Their lyrics were way generic, and their compositions were sort of by-the-numbers.
Yeah, Stranger! WTF?!? Makeup Monsters suck along with everything else that ever happened in tacoma. THE SONICS SUCK. TED BUNDY SUCKS. I wish one of the ghetto boys in tac town would steal their instruments cause i’m sure their too poor to by new ones!!