Concert Review: Intermediate Schools Battle of The Bands, Glenfield Intermediate

Wairau Intermediate's Relentless Production took away song of the night with their original song 'Anticipation'. Photo / Ukiah Brown

Opinion

Seven groups, 13 songs, one-minute changeovers. Shameless genre-shifting, fearless showmanship, a healthy nod to metal and no shoegazing.

Seven groups, 13 songs, one-minute changeovers. Shameless genre-shifting, fearless showmanship, a healthy nod to metal and no shoegazing. This was the North Shore Intermediate Schools Battle of the Bands hosted by Glenfield Intermediate. Each band performs two originals and the winner goes to the Grand Final at the Bruce Mason Theatre on Thursday 1 December.

Having always been interested in the often awkwardly-named first groups anyone got their start in, Wednesday was a welcome opportunity to see what might be in store for us in 10 years' time.

Urban Disturbance from Murrays Bay Intermediate kicked off the night looking cool and brimming with attitude. Their song Gonna Regret was an almost Sabbath-esque glam stomp. FUN!

Midgit are actually at primary school, but found their way into these heats. Their charismatic bass player, Zach, announced, "We got our name from endless years of being teased!" Midgit's Snakebite was a rocker. With a Jon Lord-esque intro, it chugged into thrash metal with a terrifying cookie monster roar from the drummer in the chorus.

"Who's going to high school next year?" This one's called Anticipation." Wairau Intermediate's Relentless Production took the song of the night. Think Brian Wilson's Be True to Your School sung by The Shangri-Las - its catchy lyrics and infectious chorus had me singing the hook the next day.

The Lost is a trio keeping it simple and cool. Two confident gals with a boy drummer, they meant business. The red-haired guitarist won six-stringer of the night.

There must be something in the water in Northcote, a North Shore suburb which had supplied local rockers from The Scavengers to The 3D's over the years. Northcote's Madtown had confidence and a Bay City Rollers vibe. Their singer took out vocalist of the night.

SugarRush from Murrays Bay Intermediate packed the stage with two singers and four guitarists. Impressive choreography with synchronised headbangs, their bass player took that award for the night.

Madtown took out the honours for this heat, celebrating with shrieks, high-fives and glowing smiles. In fact, everyone was smiling.

Leaving with a grin myself, humming Anticipation, I looked at my watch... 8.20pm.

What: Intermediate Schools Battle of The Bands - Originals Regional Final
Where: Glenfield Intermediate, Auckland
When: Wednesday 16 November

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