Pitt bands battle to join Mraz

Fusing the raw energy of live music with a spark of competition, the 2008 Battle of the Bands… Fusing the raw energy of live music with a spark of competition, the 2008 Battle of the Bands promises to be an event to remember.

“We’re going to clean up,” said Eric Lee, drummer for Max M. Ill and the Future. Sponsored by the Pitt Program Council, the event will take place Wednesday in the Assembly Room at the William Pitt Union.

There are a host of bands eager to meet Lee’s challenge.

In addition to Max M. Ill and the Future, the eclectic lineup of acts includes The Jungle, The Little Spaniards and Lovenotes. All bands entered are comprised of Pitt students only.

During the competition, each band has only 10 minutes to showcase its talent to a panel of judges. The winner will have the opportunity to open for pop singer Jason Mraz at PPC’s Bigelow Bash April 12.

“Anytime we get the chance to work with a more mainstream artist like Mraz, it’s an honor, but the actual matchup of styles will be interesting,” Hans Lorei, vocalist for The Jungle, said.

He described his band’s sound as “soulful, gritty, funk rock,” but he said it’s been likened to dozens of different aesthetics, ranging from grunge rock to a Pink Floyd-esque sound.

“People should come to Battle of the Bands because Pittsburgh needs support for live music. Young people coming out to support live music is crucial to the scene,” Lorei said.

Lee described Max M. Ill and the Future as a blend of reggae, hip-hop and jazz, a sharp contrast to the electro-acoustic sound of the Lovenotes or the more alternative vibe of The Little Spaniards.

The musicians will be playing for the sheer enjoyment of performing live, but they’ll also be playing to win. “We welcome the competition, we welcome all sides of music, we welcome all genres, but we’re going to take care of business,” Lee said.