Maybe your days of long hair, tattered jeans and thrift-store
records are over, but the old rock ‘n’ roll gods are still alive
and well at San Benito High School.
Maybe your days of long hair, tattered jeans and thrift-store records are over, but the old rock ‘n’ roll gods are still alive and well at San Benito High School.
SBHS’ Rock Guitar Club is hosting a Battle of the Bands Saturday evening, and nearly a dozen young bands will duke it out onstage for a little prize money and, more importantly, the undeniable glory of being named rock stars for a day, at least.
“It’s a good atmosphere,” said Elliot Kane, who sings and plays guitar for the band White Ibyss, which will be performing Saturday. “A lot of people who are into local music come out of the woodwork and it’s a lot of fun.”
SBHS’ Battle of the Bands has become a mainstay of the Guitar Club for the three years it has been on campus. The Fall show is a fundraiser for the club itself, and later in the year students put on benefit concerts for nonprofits or families in need.
“Right now we’re hoping to get some more practice amps, and a few other things,” said Club Adviser Tom Rooth, who also teaches English. “The club has grown a lot.”
Even musicians who aren’t affiliated with the club or attend meetings only occasionally scramble to sign up to compete.
“It’s a place to play. We’d play a show anywhere or for anything; we’d play for a cooler full of water,” said Travis Kimes, who plays lead guitar and does vocals for the band Exhibit A. “This is our last year in high school; it’s time to get this thing off the ground.”
The result is a show with something for everyone, Rooth said. And, moreover, they’re all pretty good at what they do. Participants are hoping the variety factor will encourage bigger crowds, and hope to see several hundred people Saturday night.
“You can expect alternative, retro classic rock, and plenty of emo and metal,” he said.
Events like the Battle of the Bands and their success are the products of what Rooth calls a “developing rock ‘n’ roll community” at SBHS which may not have been as present in the past.
“I think kids who like different styles of music have more of a voice now. You don’t have to just like R&B or whatever,” said Kane. “They’re still a minority, though.”
The Guitar Club itself is enjoying record high membership this year with more than 20 students, though Rooth says it’s possible that some students will lose interest as the year progresses.
“You have a lot of freshmen coming in this year who saw ‘School of Rock’ when they were in the fifth grade and they kind of grew up on that,” club President Jake McDonald said. “But there’s some potential for bands to form there.”
Later in the year, Rooth says, the club is looking to organize a “Songwriter’s Slugfest,” in which solo acts as well as bands will compete against one another, with the catch being that they can only perform original material.
“A lot of kids might not want to participate in something like this by themselves against a band,” he said. “But I think this will open it up for people who are more comfortable playing by themselves. I’m hoping we’ll see some piano concertos, something like that.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com.
