Battle Royale puts local rock and metal talent to the test
admin - May 1st, 2008Flagstaff, prepare to be rocked. Twenty-one local bands will be bringing their best to the stage for “Battle Royale,” the largest Battle of Bands ever held in this area.
Shan Dan Horan of ShanDan Studios is the mastermind behind this summer’s battle.
“Everyone complains that there’s not that much to do in Flagstaff,” Horan said. “I figured summer was starting, let’s have something huge happen.”
The bands will hit the stage, bringing their best rhythms and jams, in an attempt to win first place.
“There are some great prizes that have been donated by different businesses,” Horan said.
Prizes for the winners include a music video to be produced by Shan Dan Studios, an Internet “promo pack,” a Web layout, a show date, money and a photo shoot provided by NAU student Kristen Lullo, a junior photography major.
Besides donating her photography skills, Lullo is helping Horan spread the word about the Battle Royale.
“I’ve always wanted to get involved in the local music scene, and I feel like there isn‘t a lot of attention given to the local bands,” Lullo said. “Shan is way into it, so I offered to help.”
The two have been busy organizing bands, establishing the venue and lining out the prizes, but as the show dates draw closer things have fallen into place.
The Battle Royale is going to be two days of fierce musical competition between some of Flagstaff’s most talented bands. On May 18, the rock/alternative bands will take the stage and do their best to rock the crowd. May 25 is going to be a day of metal madness, with 10 local metal bands battling.
Some of the competitors from the rock/alternative genre are Forget Summerlin, The Braskies, The Contrast Medium and Hot Little Hands. Some of the metal bands grappling for the title will be Black Orchid, Above God, Pray For Plauges and Roman Unsaved. Each band will have the opportunity to play five songs.
“The songs should be original,” Horan said. “But they can play whatever they want.”
The Battle Royale is an all-ages show and will be taking place at The Joint. The Joint is removing all their alcohol prior to the show so anyone who wants to come and support their favorite local bands can. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased from members of the participating bands.
“I wanted the fans to get a chance to meet the band members and I also want (the participating bands) to promote this,” Horan said.
If persons are unable to track down band members, tickets will be available for purchase at the door for $10. Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. on both days.
Chance Feldner, the drummer in one of the participating bands, Forget Summerlin, is excited for the show.
“It’s going to be tough to win,” Feldner said. “There’s going to be a lot of talent.”
In the end, the winner will be decided by the crowd, so the bands need support from their fans. Jeff True, a senior exercise science major, is planning on providing some of that support.
“I can’t wait to go,” True said. “It’s going to be awesome to see all this local talent together.”
“I’m really excited to be a part of this, bringing music to Flag,” Lullo said. “The local bands are coming together and supporting each other. It’s going to be great