the Brodys, Griswald, Indecisive Youth, Oddman & Spiritfall

Wednesday was a perfect night for anyone seeking a sample of some of the best music Chico has to offer. This Battle of the Bands was the occasion of a CD release party for 93.9 KFM, showcasing some of the acts on their new local band compilation.
The Brody's kicked the night off with their fun rock n' roll. Aside from being good musicians, their songs carry a nice sarcastic storytelling tone that makes you pay close attention to the lyrics. Their catchy song, "I Want to Be a Beer Truck Driver," was pretty hilarious. It called for a sing along with the crowd that would have worked better, but LaSalle's was still filling up and there was that weird half-circle around most of the dance floor that's always there early in the night.
Griswald took the stage next as the place started to fill fast. They got the place hoppin' with their deep bass lines, hard-hitting drums, and nice guitar riffs. When vocalist Charlie Schonwasser starts flowing between choruses, they really have a 311 sound.
Then Indecisive Youth came on with their own brand of punk rock. The riffs were rapid and fierce, but the surprising thing about this band is their harmonizing ability. These guys actually sing rather than yell.
Oddman brought the hardcore rock/metal for the night. Their songs carry a high level of intensity with hard, pounding beats and the primal roar of Scott Wallace. The music hits frequent explosions that could inspire the pope to bang his head.
Last but not least was Spiritfall. I admit I was fairly drunk by this time, but I recall them to be alternative rock with a hard edge. I remember being impressed with the drum patterns and that's all I can say.
It's impossible to judge which one of these bands was better than the rest on Wednesday night. There is no sense of competition, only support between these local bands. This "battle" format is a nice way for each to show their talents to friends and fans of the other bands who might not have otherwise had the chance to see them. Of course a victory does feel damn good. And the winner is...Griswald.

– Adam Weis
– Photos by D.C. Ramirez

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