The ’06 edition of the WBRU Rock Hunt is upon us. The semi-finals will be held this Friday and Saturday at Giza, and the finalists face off next weekend. Here’s a look at the eight bands that will be competing for the crown. Check ’em out. Not only can you hear some of the area’s best bands, but there’s no cover. Hmmm. Good music, no cover — no brainer?
Brad Huff
HOMETOWN: Providence
LINEUP: Brad Huff (guitar/vocals), Andris Balins (DJ), Faron Wiesen, (guitar), Wayne Carrington (drums), Seth Bulkin (bass)
WEBSITE: Recordbreakingrecords.com
SOUND: “Bipolar.”
HISTORY: Brad Huff spent nine years with the Jim James Band. They were an American band in its purest form. They lived in 13 houses together and broke up in 2003.
RECORDINGS: Solo debut, Very hardly barely, due spring ’06. EP and LP with the Jim James Band.
MISSION: “Conan in 2009, Letterman in 2010, SNL in 2011, and Mayor of Providence in 2014.”
FINAL THOUGHTS: “If I don’t see ya in the future, I’ll see ya in the pasture.”
Someday Providence
HOMETOWN: Warwick
LINEUP: Nic Reuter (vocals/guitar), Tom Gardner (guitar/vocals), Ed Maher (bass), Tom Moran (drums)
WEBSITE:http://www.somedayprovidence.com
SOUND: “Eclectic alt-rock.”
HISTORY: “The band’s been touring the Northeast since forming in early 2004, gaining a fan base one show at a time. Many shows and even more practices have led us to where we are. We’ve worked really hard gaining fans and writing music.”
RECORDINGS: Debut out spring/summer ’06.
MISSION: “To rock out 110 percent at every show and meet cool people along the way.”
FINAL THOUGHTS: “The band would like to thank family, friends, other local acts, and most of all fans that have supported us over the past couple of years.”
Of the Hour
HOMETOWN: Providence
LINEUP: Dave Witham (keys/vocals), Nick Sollecito (bass/synth), Ray West (guitars/effects), Mauro Colangelo (dums/laptop)
WEBSITE:http://www.ofthehourband.com
SOUND: “Sophisticated rock.”
HISTORY: Formed in January ’04.
RECORDINGS: Entropy, self-released, 11-song LP June 2005
MISSION: “Creating music that is pleasing to the ear, both our own and our listeners, without sacrificing quality for the sake of becoming the next pop hit.”
FINAL THOUGHTS: “Like many people, particularly in Providence, the four of us have dedicated our lives to something we love. There have, and will be, many ups and downs in our journey. Thank you to all of our friends, families, and fans for their continuing support.”
The Sleazies
HOMETOWN: Providence
LINEUP: Jami (guitar/vocals), Pete (guitar/ vocals), Josh (drums), Darga (bass), Jonas (bass)
WEBSITE:http://www.sleazies.com
SOUND: “Loud, drunk, bouncy, hyper, good music for getting speeding tickets to. Bad music for getting the crabs to.”
HISTORY: “Once upon a time two guys who used to be in Violent Anal Death got over having lost their old drummer to California, and decided that it would be fun to be in a loud, obnoxious punk band again.”
RECORDINGS: Trite Ditties and Meaningless Crap (Pelado), various comps and a seven-inch. A follow-up is planned after their upcoming US tour.
MISSION: “Have fun, get drunk, play good shows, and provide an alternative to boring play-list FM radio rock.”
FINAL THOUGHTS: “Hey kids, stop listening to that whiny emo crap and buy a goddamn Mötörhead album!”
