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River Rats win inaugural Battle of the Bands

By Gwen Sour 4 min read

MARIETTA -- River Rats took home the grand prize and the audience donation prize Saturday during the inaugural Battle of the Bands at Wilky's Patio on Butler Street in Marietta.

Color Collective finished a close second in the judged competition and won the online donation prize, according to First City Records owner Aaron Whited. The secondary donation prizes awarded to River Rats and Color Collective included First City Records shirts and $100 in store credit.

Whited said the three-member judging panel had no knowledge of the donation totals, and the money collected played no role in determining the competition results.

The event featured 14 bands spanning multiple genres and generations while raising money for a new all-ages performance venue at First City Records.

The grand prize awarded to River Rats included a day of recording at Amish Electric Chair Studios in Athens, a professional photo session with Michelle Waters Photo and an interview and feature from Amplify MOV.

Money raised through the event will support an expansion of First City Records that will include a stage, sound system and lighting. Whited said the goal is to establish a safe, all-ages venue where young musicians can perform and develop their skills.

"The most important thing that we're doing is going to bring back a safe-space, all-ages venue for kids these ages and beyond to be able to hone their craft," Whited told the crowd. "There's not very many places around, at least in our general area, where you can find music like this, and they deserve a place to play."

The free event featured bands ranging from high school-age musicians to veteran performers. The lineup included Stone Faded, Sawed Off, Slam'd, Gypsy River, Nerium, When Gods Collide, Iota, Grey Roses, Conus, River Rats, Cease Ill & Last Bison, Cylus Boyd Band, Color Collective and Appalachian Hustle.

Musical styles ranged from indie and classic rock to punk, screamo and metal.

Whited said the event was intended to show musicians that they do not need to leave Marietta simply because their music does not fit the typical bar or restaurant setting.

"Our goal today is to help inspire young people to form bands, not think that there's a glass ceiling in Marietta because there's not a place to play if you're a metal band," he said. "Well, there will be, and it'll hopefully get you to the next level."

Each band performed two songs during the preliminary round. Judges scored the performances on musicianship, vocals, stage presence, originality and overall impact. The two highest-scoring bands advanced to a final round and performed two additional songs.

The judging panel consisted of Adam Noe of Horseburner, Jordan Malott of Civil Silence and Turning Tides and Jake Dunn of Jake Dunn and the Blackbirds. Whited said he selected judges with experience in different genres to ensure the competition was not evaluated from a single musical perspective.

Audience members supported their favorite performers by placing donations in jars labeled with each band's name or by donating electronically. A silent auction featuring artwork, autographed merchandise and other items also supported the venue project.

Whited said the expanded space will host concerts, charity movie events and small film screenings.

Members of Nerium said the competition offered an opportunity to introduce the band to a larger audience. The group consists of Jacob Daugherty, Larry Wilson, Regan Rauh and Aaron Russell and draws inspiration from punk and early 2000s rock.

Daugherty said an interest in live performances inspired him to begin making music with friends.

"I've always been really into music, and I've always watched live performances," he said. "I was like, 'Hey, I really want to do that.'"

Saturday's competition marked Nerium's first public appearance with its current lineup and name.

"We really just wanted to get out there," Daugherty said. "I support First City Records. They're awesome. I go in there all the time."

Whited said he hopes the event helps residents discover musicians and musical styles they did not realize were present in the area.

"A lot of the band members that are here didn't realize that there were even 14 bands in Marietta, let alone 14 bands that include young people," he said. "There are bands out there struggling to find places to play."

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