Navigate back to the main Events page.
2010 HYSB Battle of The Bands
Since 2005, HYSB’s Annual Battle of the Bands has been a venue for the Northwest Corner’s hottest "garage bands." The spring event accepts applications from talented youth in the area and lets up to eight bands compete for cash prizes and audience accolades.
The Housatonic Youth Service Bureau is pleased to present the 6th Annual Battle of the Bands on Saturday, April 24, 2010, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The Battle showcases the talents, independent practice and dedication of the Northwest Corner’s “garage bands”. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 and will be sold at the door.
MC John Christinat, along with judges, will award cash prizes to 1st Place, Runners Up and People's Choice.
Genres this year will cross into new-age, pop/classic rock, indie, experimental and jazz funk. This year's line up features:
Window Box Failures
Recent winners of the Upstate Idol Competition in Hudson, NY, playing all original songs at local and regional venues. This is their 4th Battle at Housy.
Hope in the Sky
Recent winners of another battle in the Thomaston area, members hail from Thomaston, Wolcott, Bristol, Simsbury and Thomaston.
elgaeb elgae daerps
College band from NY and CT perform for their second year in a row at the Battle.
Starcraft to Pluto
Includes talented bass player and drummer who have performed in previous Battles. Members from Canaan, Cornwall and Sharon.
Lost in the Crowd
A new band from Region One this year, featuring 2 of the only 3 female musicians in this year’s Battle.
Parkland Ave
Naugatuck-based band that has been performing together for over two years.
The Louis Armstrong Theory
All high school-age performers, the Lakeville area band members formed in the summer of 2009.
3 and Counting
Influenced by blink-182 and Angels and Airways, the Sharon/Cornwall band will perform original music.
2009 Battle of the Bands
‘The Dream Angels’ Capture Two Out of Three Prizes at 5th Annual Battle of the Bands
The Dream Angels took First Place and People’s Choice at the Housatonic Youth Service Bureau’s 5th Annual Battle of the Bands, held April 25, 2009, at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, CT.
Salisbury Bank & Trust, Harney Fine Teas, Robert J. Bird, DDS., and Morrison Gallery sponsored the event, which drew hundreds of youth and families to watch 8 area garage bands perform for cash prizes. The Dream Angels, composed of Sam McGarrity on guitar, Dillon Halas on bass and Jared Lauzier on drums, won a total of $800 for its crowd and judge pleasing set. Winning $400 was Runner-Up Pretending to Read Shakespeare, with lead vocalist Juliet Knuth, and Maya Mortman on bass, Nadav Mortman on piano, Robert Paris on guitar and Robert Lazama on drums.
“I think the best part of the event is that it gives kids a chance to challenge their own fears, shine in front of their peers, and realize that they can have some control in igniting their own passions,” commented the Bureau’s Executive Director Cynthia Bianchi.
Other bands who won lots of applause were the Window Box Failures, The Allegory, Beneath the Roses, White Noise, Blu Mantra, and Juan and Pablo Go to the Petting Zoo.
Judges this year were Damon Osora, Luke Bemand and Joshua Stone. Sound and light was engineered by Handy Boys Enterprises.
The Battle showcases the talent, independent practice and dedication of the Northwest Corner’s “garage bands”. Net proceeds from the event benefit the programs and services of HYSB, a non-profit dedicated to supporting youth and families in Northwest Connecticut.
2008 HYSB Battle of the Bands
Six bands competed last year for cash prizes in four categories – although the spirit of the evening was far from contentious. The Elevator Ladies won 1st Place and People’s Choice Award, with a very close Runner-Up going to Window Box Failures. Best New Band went to The Allegory. This That, Blu Mantra and Mark and Will Go Acoustic added flare to the show as well.
The YSB is extremely grateful to all who helped make the evening a success. John Atchley designed the posters and photographed the event: please visit his website to view his wonderful photoarchive of the evening.
Master of Ceremonies, Hall Lefferts, returned - masterly “moving things right along”. A slate of new judges with diverse musical talents of their own featured John Christinat, Louise Lindenmeyr and Joshua Stone. Our wonderful sponsors were Salisbury Bank and Trust, Harney & Sons Fine Teas, Robert Bird, DDS and Stop & Shop, North Canaan. Troy Ramcharran of Handy Boys Enterprises added a light show complete with band graphics. Alex Harney of Harney Entertainment once again took superb charge of the sound and stage. Thanks again to our major sponsors for 2008: Salisbury Bank & Trust Co., Harney & Sons Fine Teas & Robert J. Bird., D.D.S.
2007 HYSB Battle of the Bands
The concert was a great success! Ten bands played sets of two or three songs each for the enthusiatic crowd gathered at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School auditorium. The April 28th event featured Master of Ceremonies, Hal Lefferts, well known in the area for his musical expertise and familiarity with various genres, and returning judges Tyler Beaujon, Susan Mieras and Damon Osora, along with newcomer B.J. Atchley. Choosing the best from among these Northwest Corner-based bands, all of them good, was a difficult, but enjoyable task. Ultimately First Prize went to Lespecial. The Ballroom Jacks, last year's winners, took home Runner-Up and People's Choice awards. Thanks to the generosity of Salisbury Bank & Trust and Lights Out Production, $1200 in prize money was given out. Sound equipment was provided by Alex Harney, of Harney Entertainment. Tiernan O'Rourke handled lights. John Atchely provided the poster artwork. Photo shows 2007 winners, Lespecial, with emcee Hal Lefferts.