UCSA Battle of the Bands 2011

Here are the bands that will be contesting for glory at the heats this Saturday, at The Venue Music Bar (6 Tower Street, Hornby). Make sure you're there from 12 to check them out!

Blue Charlie

Influences: Stevie Wonder, Bilal

Five players, two keyboards. No, they don't play the blues. And no one in the band is named Charlie.

BugHum.

Influences: The Smashing Pumpkins, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Big Black, Dream Theater, Coldplay, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, RHCP, Shihad, The Mint Chicks, Radiohead etc...

Bughum is a Christchurch-based versatile but mainly alternative rock/pop band who are looking for gigs around Christchurch. We have competed at the Smokefree Rockquest Canterbury regional finals.

Button Up to Paradise

Influences: Queen, Kings of Leon, Michael Jackson, Arctic Monkeys

Since meeting in the halls in 2007, these guys have been rocking parties of all sizes. With a new drummer and another guitarist added over the years, Button up to Paradise is sitting four-strong, with the fifth founding member jamming in the Amazon for the year. They have been a staple diet for the UCSA, UC accommodation, and clubs on campus in 2011, and recently opened for Kids of 88.

Chief Chirpa

Influences: Bernard Shakey, Grateful Dead, Uncle Tupelo

New alt-country project for old hands.

dRUNk'N mONKEY

Influences: Tom Waits

Christchurch-based five piece. Keep an ear out for "Me Hermana La Cervaza" (My Brother the Beer).

Hellhounds

Influences: Seasick Steve, The Black Keys, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, John Lee Hooker, a small guy at a local sports bar (Wayne)

Hellhounds are a three-piece blues band with the devil in their fingers and the blues in their soul.

Jason Pemberton

Influences: John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon, Fly My Pretties

When he's not performing with Button up to Paradise, Jason rocks his loop pedal and homemade acoustic guitar. Using live looped percussion, guitar, and vocal tracks he carries crowds from chilled sunshine with a beer right through to cutting shapes on the D-floor. Check out his first video at youtube.com/jaypem23.

Jimmy Leigh

Influences: John Mayer, John Butler Trio, Everything!

Over the past year, Jimmy has been a bass/guitar player, and singer for bands such as Jimmy & Georgia who reached the final eight bands for the Smokefree Rock Quest in 2008, playing a mix of his and Georgia Yates' original music. He won the Waikato Lyrics award for his composition of the song "Airborne".

Recently he has joined The Shayna King Band as a bass player and back-up vocalist. Along with Shayna King herself (rhythm guitar and vocals), Rosie Burdett (drums/percussion), and Danny Wyatt (Danny Six Strings), they perform Shayna's original material. Now the band are working on promoting themselves through gigs and a first album.

Joe and The Boys

Influences: Hard to answer...

We like a dominant bass line in the verse and a rockin' chorus, so the songs we choose to play will reflect that. We are coming together for the first time for Battle of the Bands. We're open to different genres. Live, learn, have fun... and we all love kayaking. Save the rivers!

Karmakaze

Influences: Joy Division, The Cure, Radiohead, Nirvana

A post-punk/shoegazer band hailing from MAINZ, http://soundcloud.com/karmakazemusic/soft check it out!

Lupus Lunar

Influences: Karl Jung, Guitar Building, Poker, Pool, Deutsch, Blues, Krishnamurti, Mythology

Lupus Lunar is a Christchurch rock quartet fronted by Dylan Hawes and Ari Freeman. Their wailing guitars and close harmony singing sit over the solid rhythmical backbone of bassist Bryce Collier and drummer Steve Howden. Together this high-energy act has quickly been gaining attention in the local scene with their catchy melodies and tight arrangements. They draw influence from The Beatles, Chicago Blues and '90s alternative rock. They term their sound: "Earworm Rock".

Mind Trigger

Influences: Thrice, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Mars Volta, Tool, Protest The Hero, Coheed and Cambria, The Reign of Kindo

Mind Trigger are the latest three piece rock band to emerge from the rubble of post-quake Christchurch. Together they have a vast array of eclectic influences ranging from hard prog acts like The Mars Volta and Tool, to cool jazz musicians like Miles Davis. And most importantly they love music and love performing!

Open.To.Public

Influences: Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Deftones, Deaf Havana, Thrice, Stone Sour, The Who, Gogol Bordello, Korn, Strung Out, The Doors

Formed at the end of 2010 and based out of central Christchurch, Open.To.Public worked hard at playing a range of songs that covered the various styles of the band members with the aim becoming a regular gigging covers band. Fast-forward to Feb 2011 and everything changed. Now based out of a storage shed in Kaiapoi, Open.To.Public have taken a new lease on life and begun crafting a range of originals that reflect the diverse background of the band members. With a hard working DIY attitude and an energy-fuelled live show, the band are in the process of recording some demos and refining their sound and plan to become a regular feature on the Christchurch live music scene.

Ponzi

Influences: KHIA, Fruity Loops cereal, and pictures of glaciers.

For those of you that don't know us, we are a four-piece rock (I hate this word, it makes us sound like the Foo Fighters. I must assure you we certainly try our hardest not to be) band hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand. It's probably better to listen to us to get a feeling for what we are about rather than us providing you with a clichéd response you'd never remember. Ever. So instead, we thought it better to provide you with some mildly interesting trivia to remember us by. So, did you know that human children grow faster in the springtime, that a wild turkey can run faster than you can, and that Jimi has three body piercings?
We love to perform live so if you're looking for a band to play at your party, wedding, funeral etc we would definitely be keen!

Secondi

Influences: Dota, Minecraft, CS1.6, Starcraft, Coffee

In Christchurch, New Zealand, many moments ago, an Indie Pop band Secondi bloomed out of a flowerpot and burst onto the scene of a LAN party. Fresh indie tunes promptly followed with the occasional well organized gig.

Secondi is currently recording their album and are going to be releasing it to the public to buy as a physical copy or digital through iTunes or bandcamp. The album comprises of much of the music they have enjoyed writing over the past few years. Secondi have released a music video for their single "UnExpect" which was received well and can be viewed on YouTube or on their website. They are also soon to release a music video for their single "Ignorance is Bliss" which will be heavily influenced by Minecraft. Collectively, Secondi draw influence from a vast area of the musical spectrum; whether it be progressive metal, math rock, dub step, sonic art or a dash of Grayson Gilmour. From this, Secondi have developed their own sound and will continue to develop it in the years to come.

The Shayna King Band

Shayna King, 21 years old, has been playing guitar since the age of 6. Coming from a family of musicians, she was an eager songwriter from a young age.

With a large repertoire of original contemporary music, her main focus is working on her debut studio album and performing regular live gigs, solo or with her band.

SlapDance

Influences: MJ, Hot Chip, BreakBot, Hayley Westenra's left tit

We've all felt a little funny in the pants when we see Hayley Westenra with her mouth open. Our music aims to recreate this feeling. Our ultimate goal; to not be as shit live as MGMT were. Music for the masses for all you pretty lasses.

Sleeping

Influences: Ferdinand, The Strange Boys

Jack and I started a band last year with our friend Andy; we got pretty into it and even released an EP. Then some funny business occurred with our old drummer and we haven't been up to much since. Oh, the earthquake didn't help, either.

Smoke

Influences: Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath

Smoke are a four piece rock band hailing from the shakey city of Christchurch, New Zealand. With a mutual love and respect for loud classic heartfelt rock, these four lads hope to win back into the hearts and minds what now seems a dying breed of music: good old ROCK N MOTHERFUCKIN ROLL!!! Mothers, lock up your daughters; daughters, lock up ya MILFy mothers.

The Haze

Influences: Led Zeppelin, Guns 'n Roses, Queen, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Dance Exponents, Feelers and all rock anthem artists.

The Haze is probably Christchurch's youngest professional band. They have worked diligently twice a week since early 2010 to build a solid set of classic rock covers and originals and have been rewarded by plenty of bookings. The boys are in Year 9 at St Andrews College and Christchurch Boys High. They promote themselves via their Facebook page at www.thehaze.co.nz
NZ Music Month 2011 was extremely busy for them. They won the Chartfest 2011 Band Search (best school band in Canterbury) and then opened for Tainted that evening. The next Saturday they opened NZ Youth Week during the day and then ran "The Haze and Guests" concert at Zebedees youth music venue in the evening. Bright and early the next morning they were asking "Why Does Love Do This To Me" on TV2's What Now! program.

They have plenty of other bookings to look forward to, including playing before the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup for christchurchmusic.org and six shows on the main stage at the A&P Show.

The Helpful

Influences: Pearl Jam, Death Cab for Cutie, Elbow

Long time collaborators and Christchurch natives Dru and Kris have teamed up with bass-playing powerhouse James to unleash some soothing sonic energy unto the masses. Having amassed an extensive selection of songs and demo recordings, the group is looking forward to finally getting the chance to play live and share some of what they've created. They love nothing better than to share some tight guitar rock joy with whomever will lend their ears!

The Laon

Influences: Jimi Hendrix, Small Faces, Deep Purple, Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors and etc.

The Laon are a '60s-inspired psychedelic rock group hailing from the proud wee country of New Zealand. Forming at the beginning of March 2010, The Laon have already established themselves as an energetic, great-sounding band with plenty to offer. Playing mainly in their hometown of Christchurch, the boys quickly became regulars at the well known and respected venue of AL's Bar, playing some memorable shows with other groups from throughout the country. The band is a four piece consisting of: drums/percussion, keyboard and keytar, bass guitar/vocals. Come to a show and you will be welcomed by a wall of sound and an exciting light show that will thrill your senses and feed your soul.

The Pasty Chef

Influences: George Carlin, Jon LaJoie, The Outhere Brothers

I'm a solo ukulele comedy act, but my songs kind of sound like real music and are pretty funny when I've played them. Obviously I'm not in to win, but it would get some good laughs early on in the night, I'm sure. Also, I don't actually have a performing name, but I once made this poster of "The Pasty Chef" which I found funny, so feel free to use that.

The River Jones

Influences: Mewithoutyou, Mogwai, Manchester Orchestra, Fugazi, American Football, Braid, etc

• -River's house was murdered with shaking
• -He moved to Australia
• -Ben and Hunter started a band for him
• -Mitch joined
• -River moved back and joined
• -Cool