Battle Of Birdy’s: Week 11

One night down, 2 spots have been claimed, only 4 remain. Who will survive? It’s time to find out.

The second round of the annual Battle of Birdy’s resumes, and taking a few days off last week, I’m anxious to get back into it. As impressive as the first round always is, the next one takes it to the next level, compete with that “big show” feel.

The way it works remains the same: each band has 30 minutes to perform to a crowd that holds their fate in their collective hands. Anyone who attends is given a ballot and must vote for their 3 favorite bands, and points are awarded accordingly. Whoever has the most and second-most at the end of the night lives to fight another day and more importantly, secures a spot in the Final Round.

So enough rambling. Let’s get this going:

EspresSoul is up first after taking 1st during Week 9. While impressed, I couldn’t help but think they looked a little nervous about being on stage. However, that’s in the past, and as Wayne’s World once taught me, “live in the now.”

The band has been introduced, a camera has been set up on the floor, and this crowd looks read. Here we go…

Right off the bat, it’s a very different feel this time around. It’s like they feel more relaxed, focusing less on what they’re doing on stage and more about having a good time, which went along great with their rock and hip-hop influences. The end result was a tighter, more polished effort that you couldn’t help but nod along to.

It’s a great turnout for the beginning of the night, but it feels like there are too many people sitting down. Of course, this doesn’t speak for everyone, as some over by my area around the bar are dancing to the music and having a good time. All in all, I’d say we’re off to a great start.

One band down, and we’ve barely scratched the surface. More people are starting to file in, and those who were once seated at their tables are starting to move towards the stage. The beer is flowing, the conversation is a-plenty, and this night is about to get a little darker and scarier…

That’s right, it’s time to welcome Bizarre Noir.

Wait, what? How did that happen? Let’s take a few seconds to explain:

You may remember back to Week 8, when Trackless took 2nd place and secured a second round spot. Well, due to a conflict, they were unable to make it to the show, and as a result, their spot went to Bizarre Noir.

And we’re back in.

For those who have never seen them before, Bizarre Noir is a hard rock/metal outfit with a taste for the theatrics. Every show I’ve ever seen them in feels like a show, and tonight is no different.

They may have stripped away the banners and the horse mask from the first round, each member is still dressed up enough to make Halloween come early here on the north side (though they do assure everyone that this is not a Halloween show and that they always look like this).

Image is only part of it though, and for the next 30 minutes, it’s a delightfully creepy performance. Different? Yes. Bizarre? Also yes (no pun intended). Entertaining? Absolutely. What impresses me most about them is their dedication to it. They’re not interested in just going on stage and performing songs. They want to make a show out of it. Tonight, they succeeded in doing that.

More people have entered the building, and much like attendance, excitement is growing. More have gathered by the stage, making it feel less like a few people going up to see their friends and everyone else hanging out in the back and more like this is one cohesive group here to see a show. Definitely a nice touch.

So who’s next? A musician I’m very familiar with, but at the same time, foreign.

I first met Matt Corken during my first year of covering the Battle while he was in The Post Script, and I’ve seen them perform more than a handful of times. However, I’ve never really seen him before after he started performing as Tied To Tigers (caught a glimpse on The Circle once, but that barely counts). Tonight, there are no excuses. I will watch a full set and present my thoughts in this space here:

When I did catch a few minutes of his set a year ago, he was his own band, mostly playing on acoustic, but also providing his own percussion and bass thanks to looping. His set starts off the same way. Actually, judging by how well he holds his own, he could get away with being a one-man band and making a run for the title.

A few songs in, he’s joined by a full band, complete with second guitarist, bassist, drums, and even a DJ of sorts. Unlike the jam band sound I’d become accustomed to, TTT is more of a rock-driven act, full of catchy hooks that any audience could love. I know those around me do just by judging their dance moves.

But more importantly, they’re having the time of their lives up on that stage. Maybe the results won’t go their way, but that doesn’t matter. On that stage, it’s just them, the music, and the people they want to share it with. Sometimes, that’s all you really need.

We’re halfway through and it’s been an impressive night already. Will act 2 be as exciting? Judging by the crowd and the atmosphere, I’d say so. More are starting to make their way towards the stage, while the rest hang back and enjoy their drinks. Meanwhile, I’m standing towards the back, anxious to see where this show is going.

Audiodacity is our next act. They gave it everything they had in Round 1, and it definitely showed as they two-stepped their way into tonight.

I’ve talked about this rock/funk outfit before, and I’m always impressed by how much energy they put into their live shows, and how dedicated they are to their craft, and making sure that they put on an entertaining show for their fans. Tonight, they kept that tradition going.

Audiodacity definitely brought the funk tonight, cranking out many familiar favorites, as well as a new one they’ve been working on. Seeing their show is almost always guaranteed to be a good time, and judging by the increasingly-crowded floor, it’s almost impossible not to move. What impresses me most about them is how they’re able to keep their foot on the gas and never let up. Sometimes this can be a problem, but they only have 30 minutes to perform.

They have the sound and the support to two-step their way into the finals. Can they make it there again? We’ll check in later…

So far we’ve seen a hip-hop-inspired act, a band that embraces the truly bizarre (no pun intended), a rock/jam band, and a funk explosion. For band #5, it’s time to take rock back as far as it can go.

Raized On Records is back, and somehow I was able to obtain one of their custom guitar picks they threw into the crowd during sound check. Unfortunately, I missed most of their set during Round 1, but what little I did see, I was impressed by. After all, it’s one thing to say you’re a rock n’ roll throwback, but it’s another to pull it off so masterfully.

Now here in Round 2, it’s time to see what they can do with a full set.

A portion of the crowd has moved out for a breather, but that didn’t stop this quartet from ripping off classic rock hooks like Quentin Tarantino drops movie references. I commented last time on how it almost feels like this this is a band that was, in fact, raised on records, and this is still the case as these guys are very true to their craft.

In short, this is a very tight band, and while they might not have the whole room moving, there is one passionate fan dancing the night away. Kids, sometimes it’s nice to revisit the past.

As we pass the midnight hour, things are starting to slow down. We’re at band #6 for the evening, and roughly an hour away from finding out who’s moving on to the finals.

But first, let’s welcome the people in The New Etiquette to the stage, who will be closing out the evening with their acoustic-driven rock/blues combo.

Each band has brought a different feel to the stage tonight, and The New Etiquette does it through a more soulful vocals, strings, an additional percussionist, and even creating their own beats through loops. Compared to the somewhat fast pace that many of our other performers brought, this one feels like a more calming, soothing way to close it out. They even have a few who have taken to dancing to the music. They’re calm, they’re calculated, and that just might be enough to propel them into the final 6.

And on that note, we’re done. The band strikes the stage, attendees turn in their last-second ballots, the votes are counted, and I’ve taken to sitting at an empty table to collect my thoughts, recap things to my friend Kelly, and play a little Tetris to pass the time. It’s been a great night, and I’m a little sad to see it end. Of course, I know only 2 can move on, so let’s get on with it.

On that note, it always feels like this period of time is the longest. That’s right, 6 bands in 4 hours is nothing, a 30-minute wait for votes to be tallied, now that’s grueling.

Just when I can pass time no longer without my battery dying, Benjamin returns to the stage, thanking the bands, the sponsors, and of course, the fans for their support of all things local music (that’s what it’s all about!).

Now the part we’ve all been waiting for. Moving on to the final round this time is…

2nd: Audiodacity
1st: Tied To Tigers

So here we are, on the last page. Over 50 bands started when the Battle kicked off in August, and now only 6 remain. Who will claim the crown? Who will come out on top? Who will join the ranks of some of the Indy scene’s elite?

There’s only one way to find out: November 16, 2013. Six bands enter, 1 band leaves a champion.

See you all in the finals.