OSU:BOB ’09 Highlights (Bands 1-4)
From the time I received the updates for the Oregon State University Battle of the Bands lineup, I have been excited to see many of these local bands perform live. I arrived on scene just in time to catch the last few bars of One Third Kosher, but it was their sound that led me through the Oregon State University campus from my parking spot to the Memorial Union Quad.
Two stages were set up so that each band had a maximum amount of time for their set and while the next band could set up and sound check. Target for Tomorrow and the Horns of Destruction played second, making a strong case for the return of ska. I have to admit that I haven’t heard much ska since the late 90′s but TFT played a great set. TFT doesn’t play ska by the rules, they have hand crafted a unique blend with a heavy punk trio base that was sometimes angry while at other times chunky-surf and at all times well complimented by a sensationally destructive horn section. (more from hurdcore on TFT here)
From ska we moved to a proposed spiritual enlightenment through mind opening musical enterprise heralded by the Reggae Rockers. Reggae is not my thing, but they must have touched someone because a rare sighting of spontaneous interpretive hula dancing broke out in the crowd.
Our next band shows the eclectic nature of the battle, as we have gone from alternative to ska to reggae and now metal. Of Saints and Shadows launched their set with squealing guitars while sporting the nights first (and only) coordinated fashion statement as each member donned tie dye short shorts. SAS certainly brought a heavier tone to the whole show, with a brutal show of blazing guitars and spastic vocal entreaties all capped by a surprise guest appearance of Lady Gaga rocking her hit Poker Face on the OSU campus. (more from hurdcore on TFT here)
SAS perhaps had the quote of the night, “Maybe this next song you’ll get some water [crowd interaction], we can’t do beer yet.”
Tags: Corvallis, Special Event