This week, EMP officially announced the 2008 Sound Off! semifinalists, the 12 underage bands strategically selected (via a
number of listening sessions) from the nearly 100 who entered. The
dozen will compete through the month of February for an avalanche of
prizes that will no doubt help their young careers. More
importantly, the finalists will have the honor of being included among
previous Sound Off! stars, including Dyme Def, the Lonely Forest,
Schoolyard Heroes, Idiot Pilot, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, and Mon
Frere.
Here’s who made the first cut: the Batteries, the Dead Are Judged,
New Faces, Southgate, KnowMads, the Nextdoor Neighbors, Pat Goodwin,
Scribes, Deer City, Kusikia, Man Down Medic, Shotty.
Having sat on one of the listening panels, I can say without
conjecture that the pared-down list not only runs a vast gamut of
genres (hiphop, metal, indie, singer/songwriter, punk), but it also
includes bands who are talented enough to do well in the local music
scene despite their inexperience, whether or not they win the
competition (though it couldn’t hurt).
I’m not picking any favorites yet—I still haven’t seen any of
them live—but there were a few standouts at first listen: The
Dead Are Judged play a wicked, guitar-heavy metal/hardcore hybrid;
Deer City is one weirdly charming dude, with a slew of toys that
he uses to craft electro-pop lullabies; Scribes is a local
rapper with a familiar, confident delivery who names Karl Marx, Marvin
Gaye, and Bob Dylan as influences.
That’s only the beginning. There are nine more.
Four bands will play against one another on February 9, 16, and 23,
at Level 3 at EMP, and a panel of judges will score them on categories
ranging from audience response to creativity and technical ability. The
winners from each night will move on to the finals to be held at the
Sky Church on March 1.
Tickets go on sale Thursday, January 17, and shows have sold
out in the past (kids got crews, ya know?). Plan ahead. 
Log on to Line Out—lineout.thestranger.com— for
photos and MP3s from the finalists.
