_{By Abi Falin Horspool}

It was a pleasure to watch The Boardwalk’s Fall 2024 Battle of the Bands kick off. The night brought together a diverse range of genres—from jazz-fusion to hardcore punk to California reggae to indie rock. Even with a modest crowd, the energy was undeniable, the atmosphere felt electric, and the crowd seemed to enjoy themselves the whole time.

Teddy P

Teddy P opened the evening with an unexpected jazz-fusion twist. The ensemble surprised everyone by starting their set with a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” complete with Teddy P himself acting as chorister in a patriotic outfit. It was a fitting choice, given it being Election Day, but it did break The Boardwalk’s strict ‘no covers’ rule and didn’t quite fit the rest of their set.

The group dipped straight into a completely different vibe, beginning with a slow beat and synth piano which then shifted into more complex interactions between band members. With horns, complex interplay, and an improvisational feel, the group blended jazzy synths, sax solos, soft vocals, and smooth rhythms, also venturing into more rock sounds as they allowed each band member time to shine.

Overall, Teddy P brought originality to night one, but the set lacked dialogue between songs, so some crowd interaction opportunities were lost, and the shaky beginning likely could’ve been eradicated if they’d started with an original song instead. 

Funnel Web

Next, Funnel Web completely shifted the vibe in the room with their hardcore punk set. From the beginning, the crowd felt the energy and started an intense mosh pit that the lead singer joined at one point, making the space feel alive. (Let me just say, I’ve never experienced real hardcore moshing before, and sitting at the judges’ table, I thought my laptop was going to get thrown across the room. It was fun though.)

Unfortunately, the group’s lead vocalist was feeling sick, so they had a substitute. Although the substitute vocalist killed it, the last-minute change led to some confusion, announcing the wrong song a couple of times and messing with the set’s flow.

Music-wise, Funnel Web’s gritty, rough vocals and hard-hitting drums defined their sound, though some guitar sections fell offbeat — something that throws hardcore music off heavily. Nonetheless, Funnel Web kept the energy high. It felt like they were playing to a much bigger crowd, which kept the room full of excitement.

Use of Man

Use of Man continued to bring the energy as the crowd clapped along to their California reggae-rock. They kicked off with their latest single, followed by a set full of witty, fun lyrics and lively guitar and drums.

Songs like “Draper” (about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) showcased the band’s humor, bringing laughter from the crowd. Use of Man closed their set with a fresh track that I felt was their strongest song. It differed slightly from the similar sound of the rest and showed off the band’s witty lyrics and harmonies between vocalists, complete with a fun guitar riff.

Use of Man worked incredibly well together, with an incredibly tight set. It was clear they’ve been playing together a long time, although more variation in their melodies and songwriting could have elevated their performance.

The Drought

The Drought closed off the night with an indie-rock vibe that brought something both intense and refreshing to the stage. Lead singer Emmy Gilbert joined the band just over a year ago. Her airy vocals contrasted nicely with the intense beats of the guitars and drums.

The group started out soft before ramping up to heavier sounds, and then transitioned into “Fun Physics,” a song full of clean guitar-plucking, drops, and smooth vocals. Despite some minor technical issues, like a guitar strap malfunction, the group stayed composed and finished strong. Their penultimate track, “Evangeline,” was particularly tight. 

I would’ve liked to see a little more energy onstage, like if each member leaned into themselves a little more and had fun with it. Also, if the mic had been turned up just a tad the beautiful vocals could’ve been heard better. But overall, the band brought a beautiful sound to the Battle of the Bands, finishing off night one nicely.

Results

This night was an incredible one to kick off The Boardwalk’s Fall Battle of the Bands. With such diversity in genres and so much musical talent, it was difficult to place a winner. But after much deliberation, The Drought came out on top!

You can catch The Drought at finals this Saturday, November 9. The Boardwalk’s Fall 2024 Battle of the Bands continues tonight with A Few Feet High, Venus Death Trap, Dog Years, and the Scarlett Letter. Doors open at 6:30 PM. In the meanwhile, check out “Portrait” by The Drought.