We showed up fashionably late, and to my surprise the show, which was supposed to start at 8:00, was in full swing by 8:20.  For anyone who is not familiar with musical events this is an extraordinary achievement.  The Westhampton Citybillies were up first, and as we entered the bar I got the impression that they were an acoustic folk rock group.  They even had a rare acoustic bass guitar.  This impression changed quickly as they broke out the electric guitars and started rocking out with some admirable originals mixed in with some classic hard rocking songs.  Between bands soloist Vinni Vola kept things going with an interesting take on the solo guitarist, the solo electric guitarist.  Of all the performers I have to admit that I was most impressed by Vinni's skils with the electric guitar.  Up next was the Wendy Pace Project, a two guitar and drum trio with a somewhat psychedelic sound.  Wendy Pace has a hauntingly wavering voice that is reminiscent of Grace Slick.  Unfortunately if was clear to me that they had not been playing together for very long.  Despite all three members being very skilled musicians, they just didn't click together the way bands who have been together a long time do.  After some more wonderful solo guitar by Vinni Vola, the final band was up.  59H2O was the only band playing that night that had previous Battle of the Bands

experience, and it showed.  They performed like a well oiled machine, churning out hard rock and metal songs like they were born doing it.  On top of that they really put on a performance, showing that they are not just great musicians, but also great entertainers.

By Editing Department, Regional Editor and Author: Robin Marschak

Robin Marschak was born and raised in Richmond, but has only recently moved back after two years in California.  He loves all types of music from Jimmy Rodgers to Daft Punk to Tower of Power and all things in between.  He is currently a student at VCU and living in Oregon Hill.  Some of his favorite artists include Old Crow Medicine Show, Mark Campbell, and Steve Earl.  Other than listening to music and writing, Robin's hobbies include eating, sleeping, and an occasional guilt induced fit of exercise.  You can follow his adventures in local music on Twitter @robinmarschak, or hear some of the non-local music that he enjoys at either last.fm/user/beerdo231 or blip.fm/beerdo.

Comments(5):

1. Good music

   Robin, thanks for writing the article, we've had a lot of fun with the Battle and we appreciate Magazine 33. Check out rockitz.net for videos of the bands, vote by viewing the video of your band or bands you favor, and post a comment.

   Monday, November 02, 2009 brookesaunders

2. Nice pics...

   Say Robin, You know, don't you, that those are pictures of my band THE BUSH LEAGUE (yeah, that's right, all caps...) and not any of the bands that you reviewed. Will there be a review of the night of our performance (we performed on October 15th with Acoustic Creek and Velevet Nines)? Those are some good shots of us, though! JohnJay, Lead Singer THE BUSH LEAGUE

   Monday, November 02, 2009 The Bush

3. Battle of Bands article....

   These pictures are not of any of the bands you mentioned in your article...they are of my band, The Bush League. The first picture is of John Leeds and Renee Morris. The article leads you to believe that the pictures are of the bands you mentioned. Just an observation. -Shane

   Monday, November 02, 2009 Shane

4. Thanks for the article, Robin

   and don't worry, The Bush Leaguers, you have plenty of ink & notoriety coming in the future with what you are doing musically (pictures & video, too). Cheers!

   Wednesday, November 04, 2009 Paul Magill

5. Thank you....

   Thanks Robin... -Shane

   Wednesday, November 04, 2009 Shane