Annual BOBfest to showcase high school talent in competition
Way before Alter Bridge, even before the Mayfield Four, Myles Kennedy rocked the BOBfest stage.
Kennedy’s protégés in Mylestone last year took first place in the annual high school garage band battle. Now working with Kennedy’s attorney on a development deal with Puddle of Mud’s Jimmy Allen, Mylestone returns to headline this year’s BOBfest on Saturday at Riverfront Park.
“Mylestone has gone from being a good BOBfest band to a great band with marketing potential, and they’re not even old enough to drive,” said Wendy Acosta, BOBfest organizer and youth involvement coordinator for the Spokane Regional Youth Department.
With 11 bands on the bill, BOBfest continues to be a launch pad for amateur musicians with professional potential.
Wade Thames, producer and engineer for College Road Recording, worked with the 2005 BOBfest bands on a compilation CD featuring one song from each band. The CD will be available at the event. Listen to the BOBfest 2005 compilation album at www.spokane7.com/soundwave.
Thames – who has produced or recorded with bands such as The Aaron Richner Band, The Kelly Hughes Band, Perfect Tragedy, Chief and Mylestone – offered his thoughts on the top seven bands to watch at BOBfest. The battle begins Saturday at 1:45 p.m. in the Clock Tower Meadow in Riverfront Park.
Big Wang Theory, “Clever Trick”
“Phenomenal. Not so much about precision in playing but their attitude and songwriting. These kids are having so much fun doing this, and it projects in their music. They are sort of mocking Spokane’s connection to the rednecks and that community, but in a good way. They made it through last year and they’re still together, and they’re at the top of their game. Big Wang Theory is straight-up butt-rock and proud. They’re straight out of the ‘80s, and they weren’t even there.”
Logan Heftel and Band, “Defenestration”
“The only thing I could possibly say bad about them is they might be too mature for their audience. The music appeals to a crowd that is closer to my age, and I’m 38. It’s very James Taylor and Jack Johnson. They’re way up on my list, but I don’t expect BOBfest to do them justice.”
Catalyst, “Surface”
“Not sure if this is a Christian group or not, but these guys rock. They have the image, the attitude and the presentation. They had a great following at (Rawk) Final Four this winter. I was blown away. The mosh pit was going wild. They have all the elements I would look for in a prized project. These guys are rock stars in the making, and they’re not looking back one bit. The attitude is demented, but it’s not far out in left field. There is a lot of Pink Floyd in the spacey attitude of their music. It can be delicate and precise and then nail you with a brick wall of guitars. It takes you for a ride that is dynamic and unstoppable.”
Unison, “Jezebel”
“Strong vocals. They’re a little more moody and depressed, which I find to be a fine quality in a lot of material. They’re tight and precise. The vocalist, I think, is the most interesting element. I didn’t know how to take his voice at first. There is an aggressive vibrato in his voice; he was playing on that. As a vocalist myself, I would have tucked away. He emphasized that part of his voice to give it almost a Middle Eastern sound.”
One Way Up, “Answers”
“When I’m listening to these guys, the first thing that comes to my mind is Creed. It’s kind of a slow and moody, pop-rock ballad. There are some great elements throughout. Very commercial in nature, something that could sell. They have excellent standard melodies.”
Yeti’s, “The Man Song”
“What stood out with these guys is they had never heard their singer prior to recording because they play in a cramped basement. As a poor musician, I can relate with that. The music is kind of like butt-rock Rush. Yeti’s singer has a Getty Lee style he kicked out. If he heard himself more he might have a better edge. But just where he was, we were like, ‘Where did this guy come from?’ “
No Such Luck, “Clever Trick”
Amid all these bands with this wall of sound walks in a young girl who looks about as innocent as they come on keys and her boyfriend on drums. The song is an instant pop hit, in the vein of Avril Lavigne. There is a lot of attitude. If this girl had a full band, there would be no stopping her. It’s not likely that she will win BOBfest due to the her songs’ simplicity. But even if she doesn’t, she might be looking at a contract with me anyway. I see potential on a big scale. She is so good in the basic elements. All she needs is a producer and great backing musicians.”
Honorable mention:
The Electrostatics, “Blackout”
“These guys have a lot of big horns, almost a ska sound.”
Quagmire, “Carry Me”
“Excellent composition, rhythmically very precise.”
Messplaced, “Looking at Nothing”
“They have a Blink 182 sort of groove going. Great attitude.”
McKinnon Avenue, “Nice to Know”
“They have a lot of potential in the local market. They sound like Spokane, growling pissed. The background vocals are more melodious, and up front the vocals are abrasive.”