Rock bands victorious in battle

Published 12:00 am Sunday, August 14, 2016

LaGRANGE — Five bands competed Saturday evening at Sweetland Amphitheatre for the 2016 Battle of the Bands, with two emerging victorious.

Gossamer, a heavy groove rock band, won for the teenage category with a series of original songs, along with a cover of a song by metal band Slipknot. The band’s influences include Avatar, Offspring, Muse, Slipknot and The Strokes.

“I actually asked Bryson (Smith) to start a band like two years ago, but we needed a bass, and then Bryson was like, ‘James (Hunt) does bass,’ so there we go,” said Michael Bailey of Gossamer about the band’s beginning.

The Alcotts — an indie, alternative rock band — won the adults age group. It was their second performance at Sweetland this summer. The group started when singers Corbin Hoats and Steffi Ledbetter met at a musical rendition of “Little Women” in West Point. They performed as a duo until the beginning of this year when they were joined by guitarist Ralph Groover, bassist Zach Watson and drummer Terry Craft.

“It’s so much fun to play at places like this,” said Hoats, referring to Sweetland Amphitheatre.

Ultraviolet, an alternative rock band, also performed in the teens category. Ryan Slice was the second person in the adults category to take the stage following The Alcotts.

“I always wanted to play,” said Ryan Slice. “So listening to rock ‘n’ roll when I was younger, that really did it for me.”

Slice was accompanied by Jared Davidson of LaGrange High School on the drums. Later in the evening, after a short rain delay, Josh Kimbrell and the Honeybun Band also competed in the adult category.

“We’re really anticipating going up there and having fun,” Kimbrell said before the show.

The sixth band slated for the competition, The Soothing Sounds of Raul, was unable to play due to their absent drummer.

Last year’s Battle of the Bands winner, Sweet Bay, closed out the night with their performance.

The winners received a recording session with Neobolical Records, a LaGrange-based record company that started in 2015 and recorded local artist Daniel Toole’s first album. They also have a chance to perform at Pure Life Studios on Clark Street in LaGrange and next year’s Battle of the Bands.

Members of the band Gossamer, from left, Bryson Smith, James Hunt and Michael Bailey, perform Saturday at the 2016 Battle of the Bands at Sweetland Amphitheatre. The band won for the teen division.
http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/08/web1_web0815BattleBands02-Goassamer-1.jpgMembers of the band Gossamer, from left, Bryson Smith, James Hunt and Michael Bailey, perform Saturday at the 2016 Battle of the Bands at Sweetland Amphitheatre. The band won for the teen division. Alicia B. Hill | Special to the Daily News

Sweetbay, the winner of last year’s Battle of the Bands, performs Saturday.
http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/08/web1_web0815BattleBands03-Sweetbay-1.jpgSweetbay, the winner of last year’s Battle of the Bands, performs Saturday. Alicia B. Hill | Special to the Daily News

Musician Ryan Slice performs at Sweetland Amphitheatre on Saturday.
http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/08/web1_web0815BattleBands04-RyanSlice-1.jpgMusician Ryan Slice performs at Sweetland Amphitheatre on Saturday. Alicia B. Hill | Special to the Daily News

Members of the band Gossamer, from left, Michael Bailey, James Hunt and Bryson Smith, hold their trophy high to celebrate their win in the teenage category of the Battle of the Bands on Saturday.
http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/08/web1_web0815BattleBands05-GossamerWin-1.jpgMembers of the band Gossamer, from left, Michael Bailey, James Hunt and Bryson Smith, hold their trophy high to celebrate their win in the teenage category of the Battle of the Bands on Saturday. Alicia B. Hill | Special to the Daily News

A crowd gathers to watch the Battle of the Bands at Sweetland Amphitheatre on Saturday evening.
http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/08/web1_web0815BattleBands06-Crowd-1.jpgA crowd gathers to watch the Battle of the Bands at Sweetland Amphitheatre on Saturday evening. Alicia B. Hill | Special to the Daily News

Steffi Ledbetter and Corbin Hoats perform with their band, The Alcotts, on Saturday at Sweetland Amphitheatre for the Battle of the Bands. The Alcotts won the adult division of the contest.
http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/08/web1_web0815BattleBands01-Alcotts-1.jpgSteffi Ledbetter and Corbin Hoats perform with their band, The Alcotts, on Saturday at Sweetland Amphitheatre for the Battle of the Bands. The Alcotts won the adult division of the contest. Alicia B. Hill | Special to the Daily News
Teen, adult groups win music competition

By Alicia B. Hill

Daily News correspondent

 

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