Spring Break
Sleep Well wins Battle of Bands
John Tyczkowski
Issue date: 3/30/09 Section: Focus
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The group managed to capture the votes of both the audience and three judges, SUBOG President Brian Carabello, Brendan Sudol, the WHUS music director, and Brian Wosczyna, the backstage manager at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts.
The audience had begun to wane by the time 9:30 rolled around, but that didn't deter Sleep Well, a modern alternative rock band well known around UConn. Sleep Well had no trouble capturing the audience and bringing them into an intense musical journey characterized by large dynamic and rhythmic contrasts in every song.
This year's other contenders were Johnny 9 and the Racers, Scotty and the Pornos, Sleep Well, Tip the Van, and the Keystone Effect.
The first band of the night was Johnny 9 and the Racers. Their music had a punk-ska style, with a touch of reggae. Johnny 9's four-song set consisted of up-tempo, bouncy songs, with a three-piece horn section of tenor saxophone, trombone, and trumpet. Their performance was energetic, with the horn section jumping around on stage and jousting with their instruments when they weren't playing.
Next were Scotty & the Pornos, who showcased a funk, disco, and rock oriented sound. They displayed their playful attitude during their introduction, when the drummer ran to the front of the stage, ripped his shirt off, and threw it into the crowd. During their first song, the band started jumping up and down while playing the song, even the drummer. Perhaps the most intriguing song in their set was a medley of six famous songs that all utillized the classic vi-IV-I-V progression, heard in songs like Boston's "Peace of Mind."
Tip the Van, another ska band, though more rock-based than Johnny 9, then took the stage. From the moment the six-piece described themselves as "Three sisters and three guys named Brian," Tip the Van caught the audience's attention and wouldn't let it go. Dual female vocal harmonies evoked the Wilson sisters of Heart fame, and a lone trombone proved that one horn can have enough intensity to carry a whole song. The audience skanked along throughout the entire set, which culminated in a rendition of one of Tip the Van's most popular songs, "Cherry Red."
The final performers of the night were The Keystone Effect, which, being of a classic rock and blues genre, contrasted with every band that evening. This band was the most well known and had instant audience appeal. From that first song, the Keystone Effect had the audience dancing and grooving along to the songs they played. A definite highlight was the Eric Clapton/Jimi Hendrix inspired wah guitar solo on the third song in the set.
The Battle of the Bands ended in a full sweep for Sleep Well, earning both the judges' and the audience's picks. "It was the rock at the end that really brought down the house," said Brett Modas, a 2nd semester chemical engineering major.
"Everyone really rocked out hard," said Cody Unger, a 2nd semester chemical engineering major.
"It was just really awesome that SUBOG could gather this talent from all over, into one place," said Lizzie Dargie, a 6th semester illustration major.
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