Stompers Battle of Bands ready to rock

By Alan Green

This Saturday, Olde Stompers Rock Spot will kick off its third annual Battle of the Bands. For the next four Saturdays, a total of 15 acts will be hoping to emulate Korean rockers Galaxy Express and funky Latin combo The Willman Band in winning the contest and scooping the 1 million-won prize. As in previous years, a mixture of Korean and expat musicians will take to the Itaewon rock bar’s stage, representing a variety of genres, from punk to funk. The competition is again expected to be fierce and the judges will have the unenviable task of determining who will ultimately triumph.

The first three weeks will see five bands a night hoping to make it through to the final on Nov. 20, where the winners of each round accompanied by the best runner-up in qualifying will rock out one more time. Originality and musicianship will be the key criteria in the competition.

There are more prizes for the bands this time around thanks to sponsors of the event. Second place will receive 100,000 won from Groove Korea. Third place will get rehearsal time from Studio Naisu, and the band that comes in fourth will be given a bottle of something strong to drown their sorrows. The most exciting addition might be an online poll on HiExpat.com that will allow fans to vote for their favorite band. The winner of that poll will receive a layout in Groove Korea including a photo shoot with one of the photographers that contribute to the magazine.

Each night will offer variety: a bit of punk, something heavy, something progressive, something fresh. The line-ups include new as well as established groups from both the Hongdae and Itaewon scene, as well as bands coming from as far away as Gangneung and Daegu. The Battle has also attracted music fans from around the peninsular.

The independent music scene in Seoul has expanded rapidly over a short period of time and has inspired other pockets of live music to pop up all over the country. This movement has not excluded expats, but for a while there was a noticeable separation between international and local bands, venues and fans. This doesn't seem to be the case anymore. The Battle of the Bands can't take the credit for the scenes coming together, but hopes it had a hand in it.

Along with a month of diverse and exciting music, fans of the event can expect the same perks they saw in the past as well as a few new ones. An all-you-can-drink special for 20,000 won will run from 9 p.m. until midnight and includes draft beer. Increased interest in playing at the Battle has seen the number of bands in the qualifying rounds rise from four to five.

This year will also feature singer/songwriters to get people in the mood before the bands go on. Each night will include original artists including Liam Mitchinson on Nov. 6 and Keven Michael Higdon on Nov. 20.

The doors open at 8 p.m. and the music will start at 9 p.m. Directions and photos from past events can be found on Facebook or visit www.myspace.com/stompersbattleofthebands.

agreen@koreatimes.co.kr

Schedule

Oct. 30: Neoteen Idols, Like a Fox, Levine, Dirty Gangneung, The Tremors

Nov. 6: Rabihem, Angry Bear, ...Whatever That Means, First Round Heroes, Mongolian Project

Nov. 13: Kachisan, Pinnacle and the Antidote, Captain Bootbois, Mos Eisley Players, Used Cassettes

Nov. 20: Final Round