The student music event of the year returns to the underground chambers of Cavern tomorrow, where four of the best student bands play it out to be crowned champion of Campus Bands presents Battle of the Bands, 2016. The history books have smiled upon the Exeter scene, here. We’re only talking about Thom Yorke and Radiohead, of course, and the news that’s recently resurfaced about Matt Bellamy’s affair with the Campus Bands’ limelight, in a time where Guinness cost £1.20.
The competition has thrown up some gems in recent years. 2015’s winners, Bloom, have become firm favourites among the Exeter live scene, recording with James Bragg at Middle Farm Studios, while the year before saw Saudade take Timepiece with shoes, fuzz and gaze alike. Often referred to as “the best student band in living memory”, their former vocalist now fronts Berlin’s Balearic beat/ chamber disco-pop outfit Private Agenda to critical acclaim – however you want to describe them, they’re good. And while we can hope that Cavern will be drenched with enough nostalgia to repeat the drinks offers of its Muse days, it’s time to put the self-responsibility into this masochist-fuelled ideology of “nothing happens in Exeter”, and just drag yourself out to see what historically and rationally suggests will be a stellar night of music.
Without further ado, let’s meet the bands in question.
CHEBS
Firstly, could you introduce the band?
Sure thing! David Howe, trumpet; Dan Rogers, bass, vocals; Jules Bayer-Crier, guitar; Soey Kim – Vocals; Ben Udwin – guitar, vocals; Matt Khoo – drums.
How does it feel to be in the BOTB final?
It feels great! We entered last year and were really underprepared, we only played two songs and didn’t get out of the heats, so we’re chuffed to be making progress this year.
What’s the story behind your name?
It came about last year, we were pushed to give a name for last year’s Battle of the Bands and Dan just said “screw it” and we went with CHEBS.
How long have you been together?
CHEBS started as Khoo, Dan and Ben about just over a year ago. Jules joined around March last year and Soey’s new this term! Dave joined for Battle of the Bands last year.
How would you describe your sound?
Feel good music you can really dance to. We play funk and soul with a bit of hip-hop thrown in.
Who are your main influences?
Our main influences are probably Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Bootsy Collins, Dave Weckl (and Dave Howe)… and Winston Marsalis… and Nile Rogers.
If your band was a jacket potato, what would be put on top?
Caramel Digestives, firehouse pizzas and selected Nepalese foodstuffs.
How would you keep your fans if all the world went deaf?
We’d probably have to start up a modeling agency so everyone can keep looking at Jules.
Who would you say is the strongest band that didn’t make the final?
For us it’s probably Chiara and the Vu, or Joker’s Gamble. Chiara and the Vu had some good originals and musically they sounded really tight. Joker’s Gamble just gave it so much energy it was fun to listen to!
Who do you think will win Battle of the Bands 2016?
Obviously we’re hoping it’ll be us! But we know the competition will be tough so we’ll just try really hard and enjoy it regardless.
LUCIUS AND MILO
Firstly, could you introduce the band?
We’ve got Charles on keyboard and vocals and Davide on guitar and vocals – they write the core of our songs – and then bringing up the rhythm we’ve got Theo on bass and Dom on drums.
How does it feel to be in the BOTB final?
Incredible. Our first gig as a band was our BotB heat, so we never expected to make it this far. We’ve clicked together really quickly and are having a blast playing, so win or lose we’re thrilled to play at Cavern.
What’s the story behind your name?
Charles and Davide, both classicists, came to one practice with a huge list of names. We liked this one the best. The names are taken from a Roman novel by Apuleius, which was originally titled The Metamorphoses; although the more popular name is The Golden Ass. The story involves the protagonist, Lucius, watching Milo’s wife transform herself into a bird. When Lucius tries to copy her, he turns into a donkey. It’s a fun story.
How long have you been together?
We started practicing about halfway through the previous term, but made our gigging debut at BotB. Discounting our XpressionFM acoustic session, this will be our third gig and our first outside of the Lemmy.
How would you describe your sound?
We never really knew how to describe it, but we’re pretty happy with Finn Dickinson’s description in PearShaped: “Their own brand of modern alt-rock, with a hint of post-rock flair.”
Who are your main influences?
Charles’ songwriting process usually consists of getting a random melody stuck in his head at 2AM before playing around with it on a piano, so it’s hard to pinpoint direct influences. We all have our favourites though: Charles is a big fan of Coldplay and Snarky Puppy, Davide likes a bit of U2 and R.E.M., Theo is bang into his prog rock like Genesis, Rush and Steven Wilson, and Dom listens to a lot of weird math rock and emo like TTNG and American Football.
If your band was a jacket potato, what would be put on top?
More potato.
How would you keep your fans if all the world went deaf?
People only like us for Davide’s Italian flair anyway. Well, that and Dom.
Who would you say is the strongest band that didn’t make the final?
We really liked The Allergens, who played in our semi-final. It was a shame they had to go out in such a strong semi, but they played a great set and will no doubt only get better. “Fascist Love Song’ is one of the strongest originals that’s been played during the competition, and they’re definitely future contenders for the crown.
Who do you think will win Battle of the Bands 2016?
Tough question. National Acrobats have the experience, having been in the finals last year, while Trystero and CHEBS are coming in with a lot of hype. No one’s a guaranteed winner, so we’re just going to play our best and enjoy it. And maybe win it, who knows…
NATIONAL ACROBATS
Firstly, could you introduce the band?
Hi, we’re National Acrobats.
How does it feel to be in the BOTB final?
Arousing.
What’s the story behind your name?
It’s a song by Black Sabbath, check it out!
How long have you been together?
We’ve been together one and a half years, Tom Brown joined at the beginning of this year, though.
How would you describe your sound?
Ponce Rock.
Who are your main influences?
Roy Orbison, Lionel Richie, Tupac, Audrey Hepburn.
If your band was a jacket potato, what would be put on top?
Gin, specifically Bombay Sapphire.
How would you keep your fans if all the world went deaf?
We would get one direction haircuts and spray tans and take photos of ourselves boyishly joshing about, maybe someone takes their shirt off too.
Who would you say is the strongest band that didn’t make the final?
Splitsville.
Who do you think will win Battle of the Bands 2016?
It’s not about the winning, it’s about David Garcia’s inter-set stage banter.
TRYSTERO
Firstly, could you introduce the band?
We’re a five piece band who all share a love for late 90s indie rock and emo bands. We met through EUJO, with the exception of Jack, who is Ben’s older, bespectacled brother. If you like fiddly guitar riffs and laying on the floor, you’ve come to the right place.
How does it feel to be in the BOTB final?
We’re really stoked to be in the final! It’s been a great experience and the crowds have been super supportive so far. To get to play Cavern is pretty great, too.
What’s the story behind your name?
Trystero is a secret mail distribution society (yes, really) that features in Thomas Pynchon’s novel The Crying of Lot 49. It’s a book a few of us like and the name has a nice ring to it.
How long have you been together?
We’ve been rehearsing together for around six months now as a band, but have played with each other in various combinations for the last couple of years, so we feel like we know each other pretty well as musicians.
How would you describe your sound?
A mix of midwest emo and math rock with plenty of ambience and complex guitar lines. It’s not as pretentious as it sounds, we also have choruses!
Who are your main influences?
A lot of our sound comes from a general appreciation of 90s/00s American indie, but our biggest specific influences are probably Algernon Cadwallader and American Football, two really great emo bands whom we are all fans of.
If your band was a jacket potato, what would be put on top?
Another potato.
How would you keep your fans if all the world went deaf?
Feed them from our potato mountain.
Who would you say is the strongest band that didn’t make the final?
Chiara and the Vu, those guys were awesome.
Who do you think will win Battle of the Bands 2016?
We think we’re in with a good chance, but ultimately we just hope that people enjoy what we do.
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