By John Redmond
For those tired of the cold nights, near-empty bars and the usual crowd, Rocky Mountain Tavern (RMT) a Canadian Bar is in the middle of a Battle of the Bands that started a two weeks ago and will hold the winners round on Dec.17.
The Battle of the Bands concept is not new by a long shot. But with the massive influx of musical talent from abroad, local bar owners have seen a strong need to showcase these bands, resulting in a healthy mix of local and expat shows.
By far the most popular “Battle” was the first one staged at Ole Stompers in Itaewon a few years ago that was won by power pop Korean trio Galaxy Express. One of the main organizers of that event was Cain Barriskill who is now back home pursuing an M.A.
Since then, “Battles” have become a regular event with the influence of a greater Korean presence and more professional attitude by expats, aware of the tight musicianship of their Korean counterparts. Also, nowadays it’s not unusual to see bands that boast both Korean and expat members.
Friday night’s winner at RMT, Mirror House, is a band that comprises of respected members from Seoul’s alternative music scene.
Featuring Vadim Scott (vocals, bass and keyboards), Keegan Verburg (guitars, bass and drum programming), Nick Antolini (keyboards and vocals) and Ripley Torres (drums and vocals), the group have just released a new CD entitled “Zero Gravity.”
Alternative and Indie music are only some of the styles of music featured at these events.
Often there will be a blending of vastly different genres according to sound engineer/musician Lance Regan Deel.
“The one night we had a funk, blues type band followed by a metal band. Both were excellent,” he told The Korea Times over the phone, commenting on the level of creativity.
“With these kind of nights it often comes down to the wire as it’s right down to the last band as to who’s gonna’ win,” he said.
“Sometimes you can tell by the first or second band, but not in this one.”
The Battle of the bands is on for another two weekends (finals Dec. 17) and is free admission. For more information contact https://www.rockymountaintavern.com
To get to RMT from Itaewon station (Line 6), exit 3, it takes about 5 minutes.
Walk straight from the exit and cross the street at the intersection, walk past the fire station and the gas station. Once you come to the stairs on your right, Buy-the-Way and International Clinic on your left, RMT is the second building on the right, past the stairs on the second floor so look for the totem pole entrance and go up the stairs.