Grand Rapids alt-rock band The Static Affair crowned Battle of the Bands winner

Nine West Michigan bands duked it out at Sunday’s Gorilla Music finals at The Intersection. But another battle of the bands on Saturday at Billy’s Lounge was scrapped after four acts were no-shows.

With energetic performances and constantly shifting acts on stage, battles of the bands don’t usually qualify as static affairs – except when it comes to Sunday’s Gorilla Music Battle of the Bands Finals at The Stache inside The Intersection.

Grand Rapids’ The Static Affair out-dueled eight other bands to win the competition that encompassed a wide range of genres.

The modern alt-rock band featuring Zach Sheneman, Brian Barto, Mark West, Jesse Foerch and Tayvon May won the crowd vote at the end of the night, earning its choice of either $500 cash, 77 custom T-shirts, 20 hours in a recording studio, a show at a venue outside the greater Grand Rapids area or one month of working with a professional band manager. Formed about a year-and-a-half ago, The Static Affair — which has been in the studio writing and recording — had won an earlier round in the competition at Billy’s Lounge, earning its spot in the finals.

May said the band was “excited to have the opportunity to compete with other high quality bands as the music scene in Grand Rapids is starting to emerge. Winning this event gave us a sense of satisfaction that our hard work and our music is appreciated by local music fans.”

Sunday’s event proved to be an evening of musical diversity: Divided They Fall, Arrhythmia, The Dread Return and Violent Vessel filled The Stache with their heavy-metal roar; more folk-oriented acts such as Brother Adams and The Static Affair competed with the rock ’n’ roll offerings of Under The Car, Forrester and Daddy’z Breakdown.

When it was all over, the audience crowned The Static Affair the winner, with Brother Adams taking second place. Violent Vessel and The Dread Return tied for third. At only $12 per ticket to see 9 excellent bands duke it out as they did, the crowd came out winners as well. (The Gorilla Music event was sponsored by HotCards.com, ReverbNation, Lava Room Recording Studio, Zing Anything and EasyDisc.)

It was actually the second straight night of events showcasing up-and-coming bands in the Grand Rapids area.

Unfortunately, the anticipated “Fall Throwdown” at Billy’s Lounge in Eastown on Saturday was scrapped as a battle of the bands after four of the nine scheduled acts failed to show. The venue opted to ditch the competition aspect and turn the show into an extended concert.

Life-Size Ghost opened with a mellow acoustic set, followed by the blues-rock crooning of Ars Nova. Pop-punk’s Chinese Lighthouse turned in a fast-paced, energetic set, followed by a solo performance from John DeGennaro and finally, the brooding rock of Inner Itch.

                                                                                                — Alec Juarez for Local Spins

Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
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