Black Amps battle for top spot

Sept 2015 Black Amps Deloraine Battle of the Bands

SEPTEMBER 2015 | 

BATTLE OF the Bands has always been hotly contested at Deloraine High School and this year was no exception.

In front of an audience of over 200, six acoustic acts competed, with Hannah Beck and Zoe Robertson taking top place with their cover of 'Lonely Boy' by the Black Keys and their own composition 'Take the Highway'.

Runner up in the band section was Punk You, featuring grade 8 musicians Oscar Reeve-Palmer on drums, Zavier Webster on guitar, Leah Bryan bass guitar and Jasper Tabuyo the vocalist.

Stand out band and first placegetters on the night was Efflorescence, a six-piece outfit. They used their great stage presence and interaction with the audience to maximum effect.

Its members; Ethan Sydes (grade 7) drums, Caleb Webster and Jack Blair both (grade 9) guitar, Clem Briggs (grade 10) bass guitar, September Fisher (grade 10) vocals and Brodie Eyles (grade 9) keys and synthesizer; will go on to compete in the Northern semi finals at Launceston’s Club 54, along with Punk You and the acoustic section winners.

Of the six bands competing at Deloraine’s battle, Black Amps was the only band playing punk.

“We like the genre. It is simple and fun to play,” says Zavier Webster, its lead guitar.

As with all the bands they played two covers and one original: 'Your Grandma’s Your Bro’.

Jasper, its bass player and vocalist, wrote the lyrics but comments, “We have all contributed.”

Music teacher, Georgia Stevens, says this is a big event for the school. Students prepare three months in advance, adding, “A live gig is the best experience ever for kids, especially with original music.”

Photo | Mike Moores